who is wrenching today?

[dave_the_nerd]

Finally replaced that leaky reservoir. No more puddles.

Did have to make a quick run to the dealer though. Somebody did some work on this thing and replaced a bumper cover clip with a not-Lexus part. Once I got it off, I couldn't for love or money figure out how to cram it back together. (The darn thing didn't fit, and it didn't look at all like the other one.)

The right clip snapped right in, no problem. $8 well spent.

 

[jlee]

Trailer/towing wiring is in. I'm waiting on one more relay box to arrive and then it should be 100% functional.

 

[EXCellR8]

Been trying to figure out what's up with my mom's Z3. There's a draw of over 4 amps when the car is off!?

Kills the battery in like 6 hours... pulled each fuse, no luck.

 

[ponyo]

I took apart my C6 Corvette center console to repair the problem of the A6 not shifting out of park. It was a pain to remove the bezel and disconnect the wiring but I was able to do it with the help of Youtube video. I had to take it apart so I could put one small piece of foam tape on the A6 shift lever so it could push forward small metal contact on the micro switch. It was lot of work to temporary fix something that shouldn't need fixing because GM was too cheap to use better micro switch. The OEM micro switch will probably completely fail soon and then I will need to replace and solder on new micro switch. What a pain in the ass.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Been trying to figure out what's up with my mom's Z3. There's a draw of over 4 amps when the car is off!?

Kills the battery in like 6 hours... pulled each fuse, no luck.

Must be a short... somewhere.

Congratulations on the impending purchase of a new car.

 

[EXCellR8]

lol it just got bought it last October, she always wanted one. car's actually in immaculate condition for it's age and all the wiring looks really sound but this huge battery drain is peeving me.

there's a bimmer specialist a couple towns over and I might just get it in there. i'll make sure to ask them "vat iz de pwobvlem?"

 

[Gerle]

Replaced the PCV valve on the 1999 Nissan Altima, estimates online said it could take 2-4 hours! I got it in about one hour, but it was the crappiest location I've ever seen. Some people suggest removing the power steering pump and coming from underneath. I used a few different sized hose pliers, and a needlenosed one. You know you are in for a treat when the spring hose clamp protrusions are facing down, away from any possible access, in a space where all tools long enough to reach are unable to act since their back end will hit something else. What you really needed is a nonskid coated titanium half sized hand, preferably with more than normal strength and articulation. The old valve was defective, so at least the effort was not in vain.

 

[Fenixgoon]

goals for today (2008 Audi S6 5.2)

1) valve cover gaskets replaced
2) fuel injectors removed

 

[repoman0]

Stepped headers and matching dual 2.5" exhaust piping / cats for my 2005 M3 over the weekend. Painful job

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Replaced my battery for the winter. WTH is a "Valuecraft?"

Also test-fit the scrapyard rims I bought to put snow tires on. Will get something mounted/balanced probably next month (before the winter tire "rush") and swap them after Thanksgiving. Thinking Blizzaks.

 

[EXCellR8]

Tried to fix a slow leak in one of my FR-S's rear tires... no luck though. There's a small nail stuck in it and air leaks out around the head. Depressurized the tire so the rubber glue wouldn't bubble up but after re-inflation the 51 PSI punched right through it. I need new tires in the spring anyway and hibernation season isn't too far off so... meh.

I'm going to get some new wheels too and just pay for the convenience of having the tires mounted and balanced with TPMS, so I can just bolt them up next year. I'm thinking 17 or 18 inch XXR 527 in gold.

 

[jlee]

Tried to fix a slow leak in one of my FR-S's rear tires... no luck though. There's a small nail stuck in it and air leaks out around the head. Depressurized the tire so the rubber glue wouldn't bubble up but after re-inflation the 51 PSI punched right through it. I need new tires in the spring anyway and hibernation season isn't too far off so... meh.

I'm going to get some new wheels too and just pay for the convenience of having the tires mounted and balanced with TPMS, so I can just bolt them up next year. I'm thinking 17 or 18 inch XXR 527 in gold.

Rubber glue? Use something like this.

 

[EXCellR8]

Yea I might try something like that... just figured some rubber cement over the head of the nail might have worked but not really, just kind of slowed it down. I need to put air in it every week or so because at 20 psi it stops leaking but that's much too low to drive on. Didn't think the nail would be that difficult to get out but it's in there pretty good.

 

[jlee]

Yea I might try something like that... just figured some rubber cement over the head of the nail might have worked but not really, just kind of slowed it down. I need to put air in it every week or so because at 20 psi it stops leaking but that's much too low to drive on. Didn't think the nail would be that difficult to get out but it's in there pretty good.

Pliers to yank it out + a proper plug kit (or take it to a tire shop, where they can generally dismount the tire and install a patch from the inside, if it's not too close to the sidewall).

 

[EXCellR8]

I have proper coverage on it from the dealer so I'll have them do it if it becomes a real issue; it's about 2" from the sidewall so it's plenty fixable. I tried like three different sets of needle nose pliers and it would not budge, edges of the head got a bit chewed up and I didn't want to do any digging into the rubber.

 

[jlee]

Replaced my master cylinder / ABS solenoid / skid control ECU assembly today, in the hopes it'd solve my problem (C1340 - open circuit in center differential lock signal). It did not...a Toyota tech is suggesting the actuator itself, which is not mentioned anywhere at all in the factory service manual troubleshooting tree for this problem, but apparently can still cause it. Had to tear pretty far through the interior to reach everything.

 

[Ackmed]

Not at all wrenching. Took only a flat head and electrical tape. But wife wanted it on her new vehicle so went ahead and did it. Very cheap, and doesnt look bad.

 

[jlee]

Android Auto deck installed in the Z06:

It was a lot of work, but I think it was worthwhile.

 

[jlee]

https://youtu.be/HPQ2HIyvqmM

The reverse camera is in. Works pretty well.

 

[slag]

My parents have a 2007 Subaru Forester with the infamous bad head gaskets. The driver's side has been leaking in and out of the engine lately and going through coolant like its out of style. I decided to fix it for them and finally got the car on Saturday. I decided to do this repair in car after watching South Main Auto's 5 part youtube series and man, this is easy sauce so far. I got the engine apart and heads off in about 5 hours and took them into the shop where the machinist took 7 thousands off each head. Got them back and reassembled the heads (cam, valve assemblies, etc) yesterday was able to get them back on the car with the new and improved head gaskets (from fel pro I think, dad bought them after watching the youtube series also). I also put a new water pump and timing belt on the car and today, after work, hope to get the exhaust bolted up, engine mounts bolted back up, and hopefully the intake manifold put back on the car. Tomorrow morning I'll finish up the install, put the radiator in, make sure all the hoses are hooked up, change the oil, filter, put in fresh coolant, and hold my breath while I try to start the car.

The torque sequence for these heads is pretty odd.. It's very similar to this:
1. Torque All to 22 Ft Lbs
2. Torque all to 51 Ft Lbs
3. Loosen all 180 degrees
4. Loosen all 180 degrees
5. Torque Center Two bolts to 25 Ft Lbs
6. Torque Outer 4 bolts to 11 Ft Lbs
7. Tighten all bolts 90 degrees
8. Tighten all bolts 90 degrees again

 

[rstrohkirch]

Perhaps there isn't a need to question their head gasket issues when they present instructions like these.

Meet the factory tech:

 

[jlee]

My dash camera was on its way out - wasn't remembering the date anymore and wasn't reliably loop recording, so I swapped it out for a new one today. It was a different type of USB cable so I had to replace my previous wire run, but fortunately it was pretty easy (two bolts and the oh-shit handle comes off the A pillar, then the trim is loose and you can run wires behind it). At the roof line, it's tucked into the head liner.

 

[slag]

Got the subie all buttoned up Saturday morning and delivered it 50 miles to them. Ran great the entire way and I was glad to get it out of my garage. My current project is a 2004 SAAB linear 5 speed manual that I'm going through and fixing small things. Might keep it, might sell it, not sure. I paid $525 for it plus fees so $881 total OTD with taxes. 2.0 liter turbo engine that is pretty fun to drive.

 

[RLGL]

1992 Dodge Caravan, Rear wheel cylinder. I could not salvage the steel line so I made a new one.

 

[slag]

2004 SAAB 9-3 Linear I bought from Copart for $525. Sunday, time permitting, I'm changing out the thermostat, vacuum pump O rings (they are leaking oil), and balance shaft tensioner, guide, possibly water pump as well. All these should take about 5 hours from start to finish if I worked straight through but that never happens. In fact, I might start tonight if I can. Also need to bleed the clutch and then clean it up to sell it.