Howdy all. got a question. :)

[Random]

Hey everyone. back from florida for a while. back to sunny (HAHAH) cleveland. got a few questions about my car...

My car has been running great. save for a fe wminor things like having to replace the entire front suspension in march, and driving back to cleveland, 1500 miles, with a broken sub-frame mount. oh, and I have a nasty valve tick, but lets forget about that. I need some help...

I have never completed the full 60k on my car. and seeing as I am at 98k, I think it may be time. but I dont have the money to do it all. so I need help deciding whats the most important. Heres what I have done so far.

Plugs and wires
battery
CPS
cam sensor
2 O2 sensors
new intake gastket because last one was screwed.

thats it. heres what I still need to do.

water pump
shims
timing belt
valve cover gaskets (I am leaking a minute amount of oil from the plug wells, I lose maybe 1 quart every 2500 miles. so not that big of a deal right now

Now, seeing as how I just got a bill in the mail for $26,000 for school this coming year, money is tight. so I figured I would do the timing belt and water pump. those seem the most important out of the four. how much am I looking at for those two? And will it be a pain for me to do the wrenching myself? I am fairly handy, but the timing belt just looks to be a pain in the ***.

I need to get this stuff done by september 2nd, as thats when I have to pack up and drive back to miami. I dont want to throw a timing belt and bend every valve. nor do i want to blow a water pump and fry the engine. Now, i have the gaskets for the valve covers, but didnt want to use them till I was doing the shims, because, well, it was an expensive set. so what all am I looking at?

Anyways I can bribe someone to help me do it? I will drive anywere if someone can help. I have never delved that deep into my engine by myself. its intimidating. I will try to find the parts somewere, but I need help installing it. anyone out there want to help a lonely sho owner in need of the crappy parts of the 60k?

oh ya, I am gonna try to be at the meet on the 28th. I will have to figure out how far it is from me though.

 

[Denny]

If you break the belt, you won't ruin the engine. It's non-interference, unless you have some stage II cams in there, but judging by the sound of it, I don't think you do?
These cars have been known to run a long time without valve lash re-adjustment. But the CPS and leaking waterpumps seem to be a common mishap. I'd say go for that side. I myself have done that now and it's not too hard. If you do decide to make it up on the 28th and want to do that, I can definitely help you out there. I'll bring my air compressor, impact wrench and harmonic balancer pulley puller set; really makes the job easier

 

[Random]

well, thats good to know about the belt snapping. but, it would still leave me stranded somewere. right now I have a fairly loud tick going on, but I figured that could wait a while longer. I at least wanted to get the pump and belt done. any idea how much a belt and pump will run me?

 

[Bizzy]

Jason, where is the ticking coming from? Top end or bottom? If it's the bottom end then I think you better get the rod and main bearings done first.....and pronto I might add.

Top 60k's are important, it's incredible at how much better it will run with new wires, plugs and valve adjustment. As long as the water pump isn't leaking and you're not getting any random stalling I'd say that would be ok for awhile longer. My first top 60k was performed at 136,*** miles or there about and the front end even longer than that. IMO a top 60k would take priority on the front as long as the water pump seems ok, etc.

 

[Random]

well, the ticking appears to be coming from the top back. so I assume it is a rear valve. as for the water pump, I am losing coolant somewere, but I cant figure out were. so I assume it from the water pump, and is burning off. the car isnt stalling, I changed the CPS a few years ago because of that. other than the ticking, the car runs smooth as silk. idles perfect, pulls hard, no smoke when accelerating. no complaints. though I have a nasty belt squeak I need to get rid off.

I just dont want to be down in miami when something like the timing belt or water pump does go. I dont have anything but a small assortment of hand tools, and no garage to work in. I know I should do the shims, but it comes down to having about 300 for parts. so that rules out shims, water pump and timing belt. I can only really afford 2 of those.

 

[Bizzy]

well, the ticking appears to be coming from the top back. so I assume it is a rear valve. as for the water pump, I am losing coolant somewere, but I cant figure out were. so I assume it from the water pump, and is burning off. the car isnt stalling, I changed the CPS a few years ago because of that. other than the ticking, the car runs smooth as silk. idles perfect, pulls hard, no smoke when accelerating. no complaints. though I have a nasty belt squeak I need to get rid off.

I just dont want to be down in miami when something like the timing belt or water pump does go. I dont have anything but a small assortment of hand tools, and no garage to work in. I know I should do the shims, but it comes down to having about 300 for parts. so that rules out shims, water pump and timing belt. I can only really afford 2 of those.

I have a small selection of shims that you could use. You'd just take whatever you need of mine and I'd take yours for another 60k down the road. That is providing that the shims aren't damaged. I'm sure there are a few others who might have some who would be willing to do the same.

Water pump could be a real PITA if there are issues with getting the crank bolt off. Hopefully it won't be and taking it apart and putting it back together will take the longest. The belt squeak can be taken care of also really quickly. Might be a good idea of replacing those while you're in there.

I'd really suggest getting at least the rod bearings done. You can get those at Napa for about $35 or something like that. They are cheap to get, readily available and IMO those should be a 60k item anyway. Especially after having seen so many spin bearings at lower miles these days. Protect your investment there Jason, I can't stress how important I think it is that you get those done.

As for the tick, could be that you have a chain slapping against the cam cover.....chain tensioner time if that's the case. There are other things it could be also but that's what pops out in my mind. Is it on the driver's side rear?

Anywho, later tonight I'll make up a parts list for both with current pricing and post it. You can pick and choose from there what you can afford to do.

(Psssssst.......get the rod bearings for sure...... )

 

[Random]

I changed out the CPS a while back, I should have changed the water pump then when I had the whole thing apart, but I didnt. thanks for all the help. I will listen tomorrow to see were the tick is coming from. if it helps, it has progessivly gotten worse over the past year or so.

 

[Dr. Tweak]

If you haven't, have a look at the SHOPP website.

Also, if you need a shim kit, I'll rent you one for pretty cheap. I also have the special tools with the kit.