by "AestheticsInMotion" (aestheticsinmotion)
Published 11/18/2017 at 16:26
by "AestheticsInMotion" (aestheticsinmotion)
Published 11/18/2017 at 16:26
No Tags
STARS: 2
So many issues, major and minor. So little money. But at least we got the best parking spot
Headgasket is bad, and at this point I’m just hoping I can make it through the winter. Not sure if I’ll overhaul the engine, or just replace it—340,000 miles—but once spring arrives I’ll have money to burn again so please just keep working until then!
Other issues:
1.) Tires are as bad as they can get without showing metal. But... Do I want to spend $700 on tires/install/alignment when my engine could go at any moment? No. Also, even with my ride height set to max, I’m not 100% sure that winter tires would fit. For various reasons my only winter tire options are 205/60-15 and I would be kinda screwed if I bought them and there wasn’t enough clearance. I’ve thought about getting star specs again (205/50-15), but they’re more expensive, the star spec III’s should be coming out soon which I’d like to wait for, and summer tires wouldn’t help me out in the snow.
2.) I need my front left fender fixed up. My compression and rebound was set too low for my ride height and I chewed up about three inches of fender. Not the end of the world, but doesn’t look great
3.) I think I may have some cooling issues. I have no idea how to even begin diagnosing this (my temp gauges don’t work) but my amazon-special radiator I installed two years ago is looking pretty beat. The hoses are all most likely original too.
4.) there’s a brake fluid leak (very slow) and it’s getting dark. This is worrying since everything other than the master brake cylinder was replaced when I went with a wilwood 44-wheelkit. At the moment I’m topping it off every few months, no issues with braking performance.
5.) timing and or accessory belt squealing. It’s bad. Also possibly related, I feel like I don’t have enough power. Like, if I have my window wipers on and stereo, the lights will dim and the car will start squealing. Alternator issue?
There’s a lot more. Business is slow this time of year but once it picks up in a few months I’ll be throwing a lot of cash into my baby. I’ve already invested 5x the purchase price in this car and I’m not giving up on it now! Anyways... How’s your daily doing?
(Edit) it could be worse. This was exactly one year ago!
"DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time" (dc3ls-)
11/18/2017 at 16:39, STARS: 0
For the last one sounds like either the alternator belts bad or the bearing in the alternator are bad and causing the belt to slip.
"DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time" (dc3ls-)
11/18/2017 at 16:42, STARS: 0
As for how my daily is doing
http://oppositelock.kinja.com/is-it-possible-to-remove-this-type-of-tie-rod-1820575758
Although I did get the radio and immobilizer in. I already figured out were all the wires need to go for the radio. So hopefully once I get the new wheels and these tie rods replaced I can do the radio and immobilizer and have a mechanically sound and thief resistant DD!
Also the 02 sensor, but that’s at the end of the list rn.
"Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo" (thetomselleck)
11/18/2017 at 16:43, STARS: 1
So far, zero problems.
"arl" (arl1968)
11/18/2017 at 16:53, STARS: 1
Well, don’t give up on the little beast! I think once you get the motor sorted (and cooled, and quieted down,) life will seem peachy again. What are your options? Can you rebuild it yourself? Maybe a used, lower mileage motor may be the answer?
"AestheticsInMotion" (aestheticsinmotion)
11/18/2017 at 17:09, STARS: 0
I don’t have the skills or space to rebuild it, but I know a great shop with good rates, and engines are fairly cheap! Low mileage swap will probably be the answer, but I may try to hold out for a newer (NB Miata) engine with vvt since I’ll eventually be boosting the little guy
"AestheticsInMotion" (aestheticsinmotion)
11/18/2017 at 17:12, STARS: 1
Radio! Whooo!!! That’s on my list too
The tie rod doesn’t sound fun
"AestheticsInMotion" (aestheticsinmotion)
11/18/2017 at 17:13, STARS: 0
May the Lexus gods keep it that way
"Steve in Manhattan" (blogenfreude01)
11/18/2017 at 17:44, STARS: 0
Tires are the only points where your car touches the road ... if you’re doing it right. That’s the most important safety feature on the car - good tires. Have them fit one tire, if it doesn’t work have them sell you something else.
"Scouting For Zen" (scouting-for-zen)
11/18/2017 at 18:08, STARS: 0
Mechanically, my NB’s been great.
At least, until I got in an accident earlier today. Car still runs, but hood needs replacement, the driver’s side headlight assembly got pushed in a bit. Luckily, the other guy’s ride was basically fine.
"AestheticsInMotion" (aestheticsinmotion)
11/18/2017 at 19:13, STARS: 0
Sorry to hear that, hope everything gets fixed up soon! Did someone just not see you?
"Scouting For Zen" (scouting-for-zen)
11/18/2017 at 19:57, STARS: 0
No, it’s raining here, and I was just too close to fully brake to 0, with no room to dodge to the side in time
"RPM esq." (rpm3)
11/18/2017 at 20:37, STARS: 0
My 4Runner needs like a Miata’s worth of work on the steering and the brakes and the drivetrain... I don’t want to spend the money and I don’t have the time to do the parts I’m capable of right now, so for the moment I’m ignoring it all and hoping it goes away.
"AestheticsInMotion" (aestheticsinmotion)
11/19/2017 at 15:34, STARS: 0
We both have similar methods of dealing with auto problems at the moment haha. How’s the rest of the fleet for winter driving?
"RPM esq." (rpm3)
11/19/2017 at 17:30, STARS: 0
The Merc just had an oil change and an alignment, so it’s in top condition, just wildly unsuitable for driving dogs to muddy dog parks in the rain.