1994-2002 [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
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Hi all, just an update on one of my life's little missions.
'94 V6 235,000 miles ...and original clutch.
Found myself toping off the coolant level every two weeks. Could not figure out where I was leaking coolant. Thought if there is UV dye for AC, maybe I can use it to find my leak. Lo and behold, when I walked into my local parts store, there is a UV dye for coolant. Bought the dye and a pencil sized UV (along with the cool yellow glasses) to find the leak. Small light did not work well in day light but worked just fine late at night. I found coolant seeping out of the drivers side radiator seam and it seems to have "helped" rust the power steering high pressure pipe which runs near by ($176 for this part - will wait a bit).
Options were to replace the radiator or put in a sealant. I never really feel comfortable with sealant, always worry about gumming something up. One the other hand after reading Michael p's posting along with Swedecar's condolences regarding Michael's experience replacing his V6 radiator, the sealant route started to look good.
Being a glutton for punishment, I went for the radiator replacement of course!
Cake walk! Rather then fight with a lot of components, I learned to just remove them. Removed the lights so that I could get to the air skirts on either side of the radiator. When I found it difficult to get the radiator past the power steering, I decided to drain the power steering fluid and disconnect the HP and LP hoses at the pump. This allowed me to move them aside - radiator removal and install was a snap!
I replaced the radiator hoses. Found corrosion on the engine side hose nipples which I sanded off.
By the way, I know a lot folks don’t like the V6 engine but I believe its one of the best engines I’ve ever owned. Valves were starting to make a lot of noise so I decided to go to a 5/40 weight engine oil. Now it’s quiet and purrs.
Upcoming:
Have to replace the control arms and have had them for about a year. I tried to remove the bolt connecting the control arm to the sub-frame and couldn’t budge it. I backed off fearful that I’d break the bolt. How do most folks take this bolt off? Impact or a bigger breaker bar? Has anybody ever snapped one of these off?
Keeping this car running has become one of my minor missions in life. Surprisingly the one thing that may put an end to this car is rust on the rear quarter panels and wheel wells. My local body shop said they’d replace them for $5k. A bit much to put into this car. Anybody know where I can get third part panels for this car -–ideally partial panels?
Thanks
Larry
posted by 24.63.18...
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