Another 60k Question

[JRA2000TL]

After searching, I figure I'd post to get some input. I was looking at the SHOPhoenixproject website for the front and top 60k guides. They do look pretty intimidating. I thought about getting them done since I have a valve sounding noise in the top end. While our mechanic friend is in there, I thought it'd be best to get him to just do the 60k, which he may have to anyway if the sound isn't an obvious tensioner or something.

My question is...do I have to do the front 60k as well? The previous owner supposedly checked the timing and it's dead nuts. I'm sure we'll double check this as part of diagnosing the odd engine sound. The water pump is new. I was told it was replaced recently, and it has been (it's shiny brand new). The car of course does not have a stalling CPS problem either, and does not appear to be leaking oil. I read a post by SHObill, who has a very good reputation, and he told one member that if he's not having water pump or CPS problems to not worry with the front. Is this ok? I loosened the timing cover and pried it apart to look at the belt, and it looks good.

I'm already buying vc gaskets and an intake manifold gasket. If I throw in plugs and wires, that's a top 60k since he will be checking the valves while he's in there. I'd like to save some money and use it toward fixing other things on the car that need attention like the power steering and exhaust.

 

[rubydist]

I agree - for a daily driver - as long as the wp is not leaking, the cam and crank seals are not leaking, and the timing belt is tight you can just keep driving it.

While you have the top apart, be sure to replace the valve cover and plug seals, so you know that it won't be leaking right after it gets back together.

btw, neither the top or front are particularly difficult, except there isn't much space to get in there to do the work. Its pretty straightforward, just time consuming - which is why it costs so much to pay a mechanic to do it.

 

[93rev2sev]

Generally, when I have a new SHO in my hands, it gets a front 60k just because. In your case, I would double check the crank bolt(for torque) and concentrate on the upper 60. since you are not having any front 60k related problems.

Once you've done valve cover gaskets, the front 60k will seem a lot less intimidating.

 

[JRA2000TL]

Thanks guys. I think I put around 2,000 miles on the car in the one year I've had it, so it's only driven around town when I have an urge to drive the SHO, or I drive it to the grocery store or my parents house. I really shouldn't drive it until I get this noise fixed though. The guy that's going to help me work on it doesn't know SHOs but he repaired the damage from my brother's minor accident in his Acura CL and I was very impressed with his work. He can do both mechanical and body work. I bought the 60k dvd from Mark on Ebay, and I can print out the phoenix write up for him if he needs it. I don't have a Rotunda but looking at several sets of instructions, it looks like it can be done without it if you have a tappet compressor and a feeler gauge. If I need shims, that's one thing I'll have to probably order. I'm waiting on my annual bonus to come in so I can use a few hundred bucks of it and finally get this crap knocked out.

 

[K-Dawg]

It just depends on how much money and time you want to spend, and how much you want to take a chance of having the CPS or oil seals fail in the future. If you are tight on money, you don't really need to buy new intake manifold gaskets.

If it were my car, and the front oil seals aren't leaking, I'd just replace the rod bearings, valve cover gaskets, plugs and wires, and take care of your infamous noise if it's not the rod bearings.