Need Advice

[Fiddledeede2]

I have a 1994 ATX Green SHO. It has just under 81,000 miles on it and is starting to need the things one usually gets at the 60K service. I had the check engine light going on over the summer and took it into my local repair shop. However, they tried to rip me off by replacing just about every sensor. I talked my husband (who knows lots but hates working on cars) to take a look and he fixed it in less than an afternoon with a couple of cans of carb cleaner. He noticed that the plug wells had oil in them although the wires and plugs themselves are fine. Since it would take some time to replace them, he said let's just wait until there is an issue. I have noticed a sluggish start in the morning these days and my idling is a little off and so I am probably thinking it is time to fix it.

My problem is that the repair shops will charge too much and my husband as I said hates working on the car. He also feels that it is not worth in investing any more in because the exterior has several small dings caused by 5 m/hr mishaps. Although I have owned this car for 8 years and absolutely love it, I am not what I would call a SHO enthusiast and am starting to agree with my husband.

The inside is in great shape. Everything else works just fine mechanically. Other than the oil in the plug wells, the only other thing it may need is a right rear strut and two tires within the next year.

Should I fix it? And if so any recommendations for finding a good mechanic in Atlanta area.
Or should I sell it and if so how should I go about it and what would it be worth.

 

[TYSHO]

You can get about $400 cash from me. These cars don't hold their value much and your car needs a 60k, which is more than just the plugwell gaskets. If your going to pay someone to do a 60k service, it's going to be AT LEAST $1k...more than what the car is worth. I can pick the car up if you really want to sell it, just PM if your interested in selling. wink Eventually, paying for service on a SHO, it'll drain you for money. I've dumpted over $1.5k within one year for one SHO in maintnence, but I love it and if I didn't...it would've been sold!

<small>[ January 02, 2004, 04:39 PM: Message edited by: TYSHO ]</small>

 

[Rob94]

FWIW, my 94 MTX has never had a 60k and it has over 181,000 miles on it. My philosophy is to fix only what is broken. My car still runs fine. If you can talk your husband into doing the work, you can replace those plug well seals and cam cover gaskets for under $200.

 

[Bizzy]

Poppycock! I think it's worth a bit more than that on the open market.

The 60k service is not that hard to do and even though your husband may hate to work on cars it will be more economical if he does. With proper car and maintenance the car will outlast most.

Plug well seals (which is causing the oil in your wells) are an easy fix, you just have to get to them that's all. The intake must be removed as well as the valve covers. It would be an ideal time to replace the wires and plugs and do the valve lash adjustment as well. I'd be willing to bet that she'd run 100% better once that's done. (even with only the plugs and wires being replaced)

My advice is do some searching on this forum for people who are in your area that know how to do the service. It's well worth it in my eyes and I don't think you'll regret it one bit once it's done. All cars cost money to maintain....don't give up on the SHO that fast. If you find someone in your area I'd be willing to bet that it would cost less than 1k to have done.

 

[Fiddledeede2]

TYSHO - I am not sure how to respond to your e-mail. You must think I am an idiot. The book value on the car is around $2000 and given that the car is mechanically sound except for one issue, I know that someone would be willing to buy it for parts if nothing else. Oh, did I mention that the interior is in excellent shape (no tears in the leather etc), all the power goodies work (including the antenna which most people have broken by now) as does the AC etc.

Rob94 and Bizzy - thanks for your constructive advice. I can probably talk my husband into doing the work needed at little cost. My dilemma is then that it is looking a little beaten up and it seems to cost a fortune to get all the little dings fixed because the body shop wants to replace entire panels to fix a small dent. Any thoughts on that?

 

[Bizzy]

oil in plug wells = remove valve covers and use RTV.

81k miles is nothing. I used RTV on my 76k mile 94 Opal's spark plug well seals, and I have no leaks 20k miles down the road. And you can usually reuse the valve cover gaskets unless they are really dried out.

 

[TYSHO]

Fiddledeede2:
TYSHO - I am not sure how to respond to your e-mail. You must think I am an idiot. The book value on the car is around $2000 and given that the car is mechanically sound except for one issue, I know that someone would be willing to buy it for parts if nothing else.

Am I missing something here? shrug $400 is darn good if you ask me! j/k wink And 'No' I don't think your an idiot.

You can get your husband to buy the valve cover gasket kit from Autozone for $72.99 or use rtv as some have done before. I would also suggest buying some Motorcraft spark plugs if your running the original ones still and the wires should still be good if they haven't been drowned in oil forever.

Good Luck!

 

[SonicRiot]

Do this:

-Valve cover/ spark plug gaskets
-4 new struts
-4 new tires
-new IAB/IAC (because you said your car is sluggish in morning)

The gaskets and IAB will run under $200 if you do it yourself, about $400 if a shop does it.
The struts and tires depend on how much you are willing to spend, but average $60+ labor for each strut and $80 for each tire.
So worst case, you'll spend a grand or so and have the car for at least another 30k miles w/o much more than frequent oil changes and the usual maintenence quirks of a typicla MEDIUM Milage SHO.

The get rid of it before any tranny rebuilds or rod bearing problems. (then sell it for $400!)

Cheap way out:

-Clean the plug wells with carb cleaner every two weeks (good luck on the rear ones!!!!)
-Change the IAB yourself (@ $30 + one hour)
-Change the oil every 3000 miles and keep tabs on it every 500 miles (probably add 1 QT.)


So, just ask yourself...
"How much Do I love my SHO?" pcorn


P.S.>>>If those valve cover gaskets get to the point of leaking on the outside, you will ignite a fire when the oil drips onto your headers!!! So KEEP TABS ON THEM!

Good luck on whatever you decide.

 

[sdpatt]

netviper:
oil in plug wells = remove valve covers and use RTV.

For the real fix you must replace the valve cover and plug well seals. RTV (silicone) is not a complete or long term cure for this condition.

I can provide the lowest priced parts sources and a personally written step-by-step procedure to perform this job if your husband chooses to accept the "mission." Let us know.

 

[Machspeed]

LOL 400 bux? Common dude...The car only has 81k and its a 94. How many low mi. shos do you see around. 400 bux buys a JUNKER *** car. I would be kinda insulted if it was me you said that to.

 

[sideSHO]

Do the plug well seals cam cover seals and intake seals using Scotts directions.It's not as bad as it looks once you get started IMO.There is PLENTY of help here on the forum for you.These guys and gals know their stuff.

 

[Fiddledeede2]

Hi all,
Well my sluggish car seems fine gain and is just zipping around as usual. I am now wondering if it was perhaps caused by the fact that it sat idle in the garage more than usual over the holidays and perhaps the battery is going flat.

I am still planning to take all your suggestions and do the plugs and plug wires in the spring.

 

[fricker66]

Glad to hear you're keeping it! I'm always having the debate with my wife regarding the "cost" of my SHO vs the "cost" of her new Infiniti. As someone mentioned above, all cars cost money to drive. It's either in the form of a car payment or repair bills. Hard to escape both costs! At only 81k miles, you still have a lot of enjoyment to come with your SHO.

Scott's "sdpatt" write up and parts list are extremely helpful and have been of benefit to many on this forum. Be sure to let us know if you have any more concerns or questions on any future repairs.

<small>[ January 06, 2004, 10:02 AM: Message edited by: fricker66 ]</small>

 

[SHOZ123]

An Auto-RX treatment will fix the plug well seals. Followed by the use of one of the high mileage oils. You still need plugs and wires though.

 

[projectSHO89]

Frederick,

Your wife must be a clone of mine in that regard.

Steve

 

[NetNinja]

Heck Sell it to me! I live in Atlanta.
I have a 1994 ATX that needs replacing.

How much?

 

[Fiddledeede2]

To NetNinja

Throw out a number and I'll think about it.