by "HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
Published 12/21/2017 at 14:35
by "HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
Published 12/21/2017 at 14:35
No Tags
STARS: 1
I am very sad. My car is dying. bleeding internally. I can stop it but I don’t know if I can justify the cost. its lived a long and eventful life. I’m having a moral crisis.
I’ve got a coolant leak in a place not easy to get to, it basically means taking the head off...again. I had this done when I first bought the car because they are notorious for failure and true enough mine was on its way out. Well the shop I went to...sucks. As in of all the work I had them perform (a lot) I’ve had to redo most if not all of it. What they didn’t do when they took the head off was take off the timing cover and reseal it, or do the timing chain. This despite asking for them doing anything now that I would have a hard time getting at later. well the timing cover seals are toast and leaking oil and there is a coolant passage behind it thats also toast. So its leaking coolant and oil.
So here I am at 300,000 miles, with brand new shocks, tires, and driveshafts and a potential $2500+ head job to get at a couple of dollars worth of seals and o-rings that will eventually fail completely. It needs new seats, the steering needs fixing (not sure whats going on but its REALLY sloppy lately). and there is still an unresolved thunk and vibration at slow speeds.
Weighing my options. I would love to be able to save my pennies and do this myself but its my daily and I don’t have the time or skills I need to do it in a timely fashion. If I had a skilled friend or 2 I would take a few days off work and go for it, but I don’t.
In the meantime I am spending most of my time being sad realizing that the smart thing is to move on.
"ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability" (italianjobr53)
12/21/2017 at 14:59, STARS: 6
Can you buy a beater and work on this car when you have time?
"Future next gen S2000 owner" (future-next-gen-s2000-owner)
12/21/2017 at 14:59, STARS: 0
It will be cheaper to fix than to get into something new. The question is, do you enjoy it? Will something newer make you happier?
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
12/21/2017 at 15:00, STARS: 1
Thats one of the options in my mind. Still looking at the whole picture. I’ve got some time but I would like a solution to be in place by late spring.
"crowmolly" (crowmolly)
12/21/2017 at 15:02, STARS: 0
Forgive my ignorance on this.
But is it hard to find a used replacement engine for cheaper than $2500?
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
12/21/2017 at 15:03, STARS: 0
Cheaper? Yes. but this has been an expensive car and i suspect its not going to suddenly be cheap. I’m highly emotionally invested in it, but what I NEED is something without such a long todo list and less worries about its reliability.
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
12/21/2017 at 15:05, STARS: 1
I would need to find out where the head has already been done...then there is the cost of replacing it which I am not equipped to do. plus the notion of spending 2+ grand on this car period.
"Kanaric" (Kanaric1)
12/21/2017 at 15:06, STARS: 1
I definately feel your pain
I’ve had similar problems with my Skyline in Las Vegas. Recently i’ve been hit AGAIN with poor shop work resulting in much damage being done. I’ve been through so many shops with my cars in this city it’s been ridiculous. I’m starting to think if I wrench EVERYTHING myself even though I don’t have the time if I spent like a year working on my car at least it will be good and done right.
The thing is though is I had the money to go all in. I just put everything ont he table brought it out of state to a reputable shop and said “fix it”. I am in “whatever the cost” mode.
The logical thing would have been to dump it but I was in much deeper than you are already so maybe it is time to move on before it’s too late.
"benjrblant" (benjblant)
12/21/2017 at 15:12, STARS: 0
Pulling the head wouldn’t be too difficult. Time consuming but not difficult.
I know you’ve put a lot of money and parts into this one- have you considered finding another 95-97 so you can swap parts over? Would you rather update to something newer?
"AM3R, lost another burner" (am3r17)
12/21/2017 at 15:17, STARS: 1
LC owners are a friendly bunch. Hit up the forums and see if any locals are willing to give you a hand! I’m sure there will be someone in your area with the expertise to help guide you through the repairs on a long weekend.
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
12/21/2017 at 15:17, STARS: 0
I’ve thought about that too. I could get a clean no locker 95-97 pretty cheap I think then move the axles, suspension and wheels over. Its on my list. As for doing a head job? Its not something Im prepared to tackle on my own.
"Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo" (thetomselleck)
12/21/2017 at 15:17, STARS: 0
Brutal, dude. My heart says “No! Not the Landy!” But my head says, “Might be time to move on.”
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
12/21/2017 at 15:18, STARS: 1
I know a lot of the locals...trouble is the good ones also own shops.
"Nibbles" (nibbles)
12/21/2017 at 15:18, STARS: 2
Time to grab yourself one of those free LS engines everyone’s always talking about
"AM3R, lost another burner" (am3r17)
12/21/2017 at 15:19, STARS: 0
I’d say it’s worth it to try to reach out and see if someone who doesn’t own a shop is willing to give you a hand. Hell, one of the shop owners might even be willing to share some expertise.
"Steve in Manhattan" (blogenfreude01)
12/21/2017 at 15:25, STARS: 0
Don’t forget to replace the water pump.
"Future next gen S2000 owner" (future-next-gen-s2000-owner)
12/21/2017 at 15:26, STARS: 0
Psht. That’d be boring.
"Nothing" (nothingatalluseful)
12/21/2017 at 15:26, STARS: 0
It sounds like it would time to relegate the Cruiser as a “project” vehicle and pick up something else as a DD if the money allows. I’m not one to talk, though. In vehicles I haven’t been emotionally invested it, when it gets time to fish or cut bait, I’ve cut bait 100% of the time. Then again, I have yet to keep anything long enough to get attached to it. Maybe someday.
"CobraJoe" (cobrajoe)
12/21/2017 at 15:27, STARS: 2
Do you have a bit of cash you can tie up for a while?
Because you could always buy a $700-$1000 beater to drive while you fix on your current daily driver.
That takes the time stress off of completing the coolant leak fix, and gives you transportation for any other fix you’re contemplating in the near future.
Plus, when you’re done with the repairs, sell the car for $700-$1000 again.
Total investment is only sales tax and registration (which might be minimal if the car is old) and cost of parts for the fix.
"benjrblant" (benjblant)
12/21/2017 at 15:29, STARS: 0
Swapping the axles is possible, but you’ll need to run wiring and relays for it. Unfortunately not just a bolt-in operation. Unless your hubs have recently been rebuilt and you’ve had a knuckle service performed, it could take longer to rebuild both axles and install them than a head gasket replacement.
"ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability" (italianjobr53)
12/21/2017 at 15:36, STARS: 0
You like the car too much, getting a beater would be better imo.
Can you work during the winter? Do you have snow, covered garage, time?
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
12/21/2017 at 15:38, STARS: 0
No the wiring harness is the same I would just need to swap the appropriate modules too. Bolt in.
"Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo" (akioohtori)
12/21/2017 at 15:38, STARS: 1
So... this might be an unpopular idea, but have you considered, as Click and Clack would say it, something with “miracle” on the bottle?
Which is to say, if you’re considering doing all this work because of leaks, what would be the harm of throwing some stop-leak in it? Might get you another year or might just end up with an empty container of lies. Either way we’d be interested in hearing the results. I’d star that!
But yeah, as you said you could also dump it to someone with more time and space and use this as an opportunity to trade up.
Or both, one then the other?
"cmill189 - sans Volvo" (cmill189)
12/21/2017 at 15:40, STARS: 1
Can you get it into your garage and is there room to work? I’d be willing to help you out over a weekend or two. I have more tools than any sane 30 year old should. Air tools and a compressor too. I’ve done just about everything once.
I did a quick search it definitely seems time consuming but not hard. Likely more dirty than anything.
Accessories and head off, sway bar, engine up, oil pan(s) off, front cover...essentially?
"benjrblant" (benjblant)
12/21/2017 at 15:42, STARS: 0
Non-locked 80's do not have the wiring present in the factory harness. There will be no plug behind the dash and no plug under the body to plug the e-lockers in. The sole exception to this is the ‘97 LX450 which has wiring present for all of the factory options. At least, this is what I’ve read in the EWD’s and several threads online.
"Duck Duck Grey Duck FTMFW!" (theduckduck)
12/21/2017 at 16:05, STARS: 0
Is there a reason your not prepared to do the head job on your own?
"SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media" (silentbutnotreallydeadly)
12/21/2017 at 16:10, STARS: 0
There’s nowt wrong with the LC. It just needs some open heart surgery. That’s going to cost for sure but you’ll have a better result.
I’d either rebuild it or swap the engine for either an LS or GM diesel V8...like what Brunswick Diesel does here.
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
12/21/2017 at 16:19, STARS: 0
lack of time, tools, and confidence to get the job done.
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
12/21/2017 at 16:49, STARS: 0
I have a great garage space to work on it. Time is trickier but a few hours a week and a weekend or two wouldn’t be hard to string together.
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
12/21/2017 at 16:49, STARS: 0
Thats on my list of options right now.
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
12/21/2017 at 16:50, STARS: 1
I’ll put in some tabs to slow the progression of the leak, certainly no fix.
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
12/21/2017 at 16:51, STARS: 0
Thanks for the offer, I’ve got a couple of good options for garage space. If I go that route I’ll definitely take you up on it.
"nermal" (nermal)
12/21/2017 at 17:21, STARS: 0
Have you considered doing a 96 month loan on a new one? According to my math that should put your payment at right around $1k per month. Will be better in every non-financial way as well.
"CobraJoe" (cobrajoe)
12/21/2017 at 17:26, STARS: 1
Having 2 cars is absolutely the best way to accomplish a big project like a head removal. More important than even having a garage to work in.
Having 2 cars gives you the ability to go on a parts run whenever you need to, lets you know know that you don’t absolutely have to finish fixing something before work the next morning, and being able to just up and quit when things are getting too hectic or frustrating is downright priceless.
As to whether you should keep the car, that’s got to be your decision. Do you want to keep it? Is it worth the work and hassle to do the work yourself? Forget the whole “What’s the best financial choice?” question. If you like the car and don’t mind paying for it, fix it.
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
12/21/2017 at 17:43, STARS: 0
I think the bigger questions are:
Whats the next thing to break? Whats that going to cost? Where will it happen? Will it endanger my trip or my life?
I have to decide if Im not getting to the point where all the components are just aging together.
"merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc" (merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc)
12/21/2017 at 17:49, STARS: 1
Thinking the same thing. Then you can make any other repairs while you’re that deep in there and not worry about tying up your daily ride. I’m doing that with my S8 intake valve cleaning. I’m using the opportunity to fix a couple oil leaks that will be much easier to fix now that the intake is off. It’s taking me way too long though, but no need to stress about it because I have another vehicle to drive in the meantime. And this way I know what was done and I’m learning as I go too. Win win.
"shop-teacher" (shop-teacher)
12/21/2017 at 22:07, STARS: 2
“Whats the next thing to break? Whats that going to cost? Where will it happen? Will it endanger my trip or my life?”
You’ve been talking about these concerns for a while now. I remember discussing it when an injector went bad. You’ll have to do some soul searching and decide if it’s time to cut bait and move on, or to keep digging. The fact of the matter is that vehicles all have a service life. When they reach the end of that, you either have to do a real restoration, or move on.
I don’t really have an opinion on which you should do. You can certainly handle this particular fix. But if more is going to keep breaking.....
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
12/21/2017 at 22:17, STARS: 1
That sumsit up
"Frank Grimes" (FrankGrimes)
12/21/2017 at 22:28, STARS: 0
crap I wish I could help you out I got all the tools but not the garage space right now not that you would want to haul your ride all the way down here.