Leedom blew a head gasket on his wife's Santa Fe

[SeanPlunk]

I talked to Leedom and while driving today the head gasket blew on his wife's Hyundai Santa Fe. Firestone wanted something like $4700 or some insane amount to fix it.

Here are the questions in no particular order:
1) How much do you think just the parts will be assuming no labor? I think it's a 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe V6.
2) How likely is it that the head is warped?

[Vettezuki]

Looks like a gasket kit is around $200 with a quick look. I don't know what the book time is for labor, maybe kdracer73 can look it up.

Impossible to know about head warping. IF the gasket blew from overeating there's a fair chance. Then you're talking machining and that's where shit gets expensive. But even in that case, $4,700 is from outer space.

[Shaolin Crane]

$100 for machine work from Pacific Engine.

[Leedom]

Shannon has a 05 Santa Fe 3.5L V6 and according to Firestone the labor for the head work is 24hrs. I priced out the items they recommended replacing and it came to about $575 from AutoZone. I will hit up Ed's this week though. While we are at it I think we are going to do the water pump and Timing belt. That gets us up to about $800. Ron and I are going to probably do the work. Pacific will be working on the heads for sure. The car is worth about $7K and there was no way I was going to spend about $5K on it. This shit sucks!

[Damian]

The heads are aluminum, check them! Chances are thy are warped, but probably not much.

[Leedom]

The heads are aluminum, check them! Chances are thy are warped, but probably not much.

They are? That is what Ron was asking and I was going to do some research. I plan on taking them Pacific Engine to have them go through them. We are going to do the timing belt, water pump, thermostat and anything else we need to while we are in there.

[94cobra69ss396]

We can check them to see but for how cheap Pacific Engine will do them for it's worth it to just have them done.

[Damian]

I don't think any imports use anything but aluminum for heads these days.

According to wikapedia, it uses a cast iron block and aluminum heads.

[Shaolin Crane]

Yep aluminum heads, Dick will just surface them as minimally as possible to ensure you dont have issues, also if ed's ends up being on the pricey side check with Dick. Occasionally he has connections that yield dirt cheap prices. Like $65 for single piece chromoly pushrods.

[Damian]

These don't have pushrods, thats old ass technology! These are OHV.

[Shaolin Crane]

These don't have pushrods, thats old ass technology! These are OHV.

Yes, I understand, this was just a example of how he has dirt cheap connects. Like a complete cylinder head for a 2.3l ford, assembled, new for $300

[Leedom]

Santa Fe is now taking up real estate on Ron's driveway. I will get all the parts together and we will be working on pretty much every means of transport we own. Ron opened the door too much!

Santa Fe
F-150
Vespa

Sorry Ron. Thank you soooo much though!

[Chuck]

So I am guessing all went well with AAA and the tow.

[Leedom]

So I am guessing all went well with AAA and the tow.

Yup. My phone was about to die so I called from my parent's house and by the time we got over to Firestone the tow truck was pulling in as well. They were there like 10 minutes after I called at most. They dropped it off at Ron's and now I just need to obtain parts.

[Chuck]

Just for fun check out rockauto.com I got a good deal on some stuff.

[Leedom]

Just for fun check out rockauto.com I got a good deal on some stuff.

Will do.

[94cobra69ss396]

Rockauto.com is where I got the new tank for the Explorer and they were by far the cheapest.

[Shaolin Crane]

They're usually the cheapest, talk to Ed about their prices and he'll usually come pretty close, just tell him you're from motorgen.

[Ryridesmotox]

Rockauto is the best. My girlfriend works at the Ford dealer in temecula and she can't get parts much cheaper than RockAuto at her cost... unless its a ford.

[kdracer73]

The estimate was right...

2 - Right 2231139501 $58.34
2 - Left 2231139502 $58.34


Labor Skill
Level Mfg.
Cylinder Head Gasket
Replace warranty standard
Right Bank B 7.8 22.8
Includes: Remove Carbon And Make All Necessary Adjustments.

Left Bank B 7.4 22.8
Includes: Remove Carbon And Make All Necessary Adjustments.


Both Banks B 8.1 24.8
Includes: Remove Carbon And Make All Necessary Adjustments.

[kdracer73]

From Chilton.....

Remove the engine. (NICE!!)
For additional information, refer to intake manifold. See: Intake Manifold
Remove the cables from the spark plugs. The cables should be removed by holding the boot portion.
Remove the ignition coil.

Remove the upper and lower timing belt cover.

Remove the timing belt and camshaft sprockets.
Remove the heat protector and exhaust manifold assembly.
Remove the coolant pump pulley and head cover.
Remove the intake and exhaust camshaft.

Remove the cylinder head assembly. The cylinder head bolts should be removed using the 12 mm socket, in two or three steps.
Clean the gasket pieces from the cylinder block top surface and cylinder head bottom surface. NOTE: Make sure that fragments from the gasket do not fall in the engine.

[Leedom]

From Chilton.....

Remove the engine. (NICE!!)


What? We have to remove the engine to do this? What?

[SeanPlunk]

What? We have to remove the engine to do this? What?

That wouldn't be so uncommon for a FWD car.

[injdinjn]

Cheap to buy expensive to fix.

[Ryridesmotox]

Cheap to buy expensive to fix.

They gotta steal your money somehow!

[Damian]

What? We have to remove the engine to do this? What?

I'm sure you can do it without removing the engine, but it's probably a million times easier to do it out of the car.

[blackax]

I'm sure you can do it without removing the engine, but it's probably a million times easier to do it out of the car.

I know with my GF's 1998 mercury mystique you have to drop the motor to get the rear head off, no space to work, you can bearly change the spark plugs.


Guess what's wrong with my gf's car? Ya i'm not going to fix it and she doesn't have the money to have it fixed. Anyone want to buy a 1998 mercury mystique lol

[Damian]

Pick a Parts will take it!

[blackax]

Pick a Parts will take it!

Ya and give me 400$ the car blue books for 2.6k and I was asking 1200 would take 1000. I thought 50% off was a good deal for someone that wanted to flip it. But no takers yet. Grr I hate fwd cars

[Ryridesmotox]

Ya and give me 400$ the car blue books for 2.6k and I was asking 1200 would take 1000. I thought 50% off was a good deal for someone that wanted to flip it. But no takers yet. Grr I hate fwd cars

Throw a GPS in it. I got an email at work, a GPS unit's battery exploded and burnt the interior of the car up. I'm sure it would total out the thing.

[Leedom]

Parts ordered:
Head Gasket Set
Head Bolt Set
Radiator
Radiators Hoses (upper and lower)
Thermostat w/ seal
Water Pump w/ gasket
Timing Belt Set
Serp. Belts
Spark Plugs
Coolant (2gal)

Way lower than Firestone wanted. Checked out Rock Auto and was not going to worry about a few $$ here and there so I went with Ed's Auto Parts. I will be picking them up on my way out to Ron's next Saturday. Then the "fun" begins.

[Shaolin Crane]

Who did you talk to at Ed's?

[blackax]

If you need an extra pair of hands I should be free to help you guys out.

[Shaolin Crane]

If you need an extra pair of hands I should be free to help you guys out.

You never text me back foo

[blackax]

You never text me back foo

Yes I did it just took 6 hours lol

[Leedom]

If you need an extra pair of hands I should be free to help you guys out.

I would not turn down an extra set of hands. Just keep them off my wife's headlights! :sm_laughing:

Saturday the 23rd is the first planned day. I will be getting to Ed's around 8 so I should be at Ron's by 9-9:30. Since I already paid for everything it should just be a pick-up and leave.

[Leedom]

Who did you talk to at Ed's?

Don't remember... I talked to 2 guys because I called twice. They were both cool and I forgot to mention timing belt and water pump and they asked me if I needed those too. It is just so easy to call a place and they know what you need or might need and don't ask you a million retarded questions. Their prices are great too!!

[Shaolin Crane]

They really are the best parts store i've dealt with, they're also practically family.

[enkeivette]

Just buy an aluminum straight edge and put it on them and see if they warped. Machine shops can take off a lot if they are... but if its an OHC motor make sure the cams dont rock.

Dodge wanted 4800 to do my moms car, needless to say I took a few days off and did it. The prices they charge are unconscionable. And they have the nerve to pay their mechanics less than $20 an hour. Assholes.

[Shaolin Crane]

Just buy an aluminum straight edge and put it on them and see if they warped. Machine shops can take off a lot if they are... but if its an OHC motor make sure the cams dont rock.

Dodge wanted 4800 to do my moms car, needless to say I took a few days off and did it. The prices they charge are unconscionable. And they have the nerve to pay their mechanics less than $20 an hour. Assholes.

I already talked to Dick. its $30 to surface each head, remember they're MLS head gaskets and the smoother the surface the less of a chance they will blow again.

[enkeivette]

Oh ya, resurface for sure. Aluminum heads usually have pitting from oxidation anyways... not worth 2 days of time to save $60... and thats a good price. I pay $40 for each

[Leedom]

I already talked to Dick. its $30 to surface each head, remember they're MLS head gaskets and the smoother the surface the less of a chance they will blow again.

Yeah I bought a nice felpro gasket set from Ed's.

[Leedom]

Everything is set. Gonna pick up the parts at Ed's tomorrow morning along with Ron's engine stand (Guy is gonna drop it off with Eddy for me to save a stop). Then out to John's to pick up the hoist. Finally to Ron's to get to work. Fingers crossed we get everything pulled tomorrow.

[Shaolin Crane]

Can you pick up the throttle cable and spacers from John and take them back with you to Ron's?

[Leedom]

Can you pick up the throttle cable and spacers from John and take them back with you to Ron's?

Will do. I fact John mentioned it as well.

[Shaolin Crane]

Bitchen, much appreciated.

[Leedom]

Well the tear down is done. Front wheel drive vehicles suck. We tried but never got past step 4 though of the Hayes manual (inside joke). Now the heads will go to Guy for him to drop them off at Pacific Engine (thanks Guy, did I even ask?) Hopefully it goes back together the same way it came apart. We only lost 1 little clip and 1 bolt but Ron swears he has extras laying around the garage. Big thanks to Ron and John for their help!!!

http://www.motorgen.com/pic/data/639/IMAG02441.jpg

On a side note... anyone looking for parts at a good price from good guys need to give Ed's Auto Parts a call. Great guys, just wish they were not so far away.

[Shaolin Crane]

I dont think you asked just call me to make sure i'm there. I already spoke with Dick about it so he knows whats up.

[94cobra69ss396]

Guy, I have the heads here and will bring them with me when I see you Thursday.

[Shaolin Crane]

Sounds good, do you have the spacers and throttle cable as well?

[94cobra69ss396]

No. I guess John had them in his truck ready to bring over but when he went to leave his truck wouldn't start. He ended up driving the Cadi but forgot to grab them out of the truck.

[Shaolin Crane]

:( .

[Damian]

That's a Mitsubishi motor. Thats a variation ofthe 3.5 I had in my Eclipse that I boosted. I have a shit load of nuts and bolts in a container, let me know what you need.

[Damian]

Maybe I missed it in the posts but change the water pump as well. Make sure you change the o-ring on the cross tube to a new one or it WILL leak.

[94cobra69ss396]

The new pump came with two new O-rings.

[blackax]

Im gonna head over to Ron's and drop off the spacers and cable before he goes to see you guy.

[Damian]

Have fun putting the EGR valve gasket back on, its a bitch being back there.

[Shaolin Crane]

Im gonna head over to Ron's and drop off the spacers and cable before he goes to see you guy.

Much appreciated.

[Leedom]

That's a Mitsubishi motor. Thats a variation ofthe 3.5 I had in my Eclipse that I boosted. I have a shit load of nuts and bolts in a container, let me know what you need.

We lost a 10mm bolt (I think) and a little wire c-clip. If you got some I can pick some up from you. Thanks.

Where do you live?

[Damian]

In Fullerton by the 57 and 91. I have tons of 10mm bolts, where did the bolt go? Where did the c clip go? I might have one or two. You can borrow the whole thing if you want and just give it back when you are done.

[blackax]

Adam, cars are over built and come with extra parts.

[94cobra69ss396]

We haven't even tried to look for the bolt or clip so they really aren't lost. I'll take a look now that we have everything out of the way and see if I can find them.

[Damian]

Adam, cars are over built and come with extra parts.

This is true. That's mainly got my huge stash of bolts.


Let me know what you need, chances are I have it.

[Leedom]

My co-worker was asking if we were changing rings. He said that cast rings (if there are used in this engine) may rust from the water exposure and jack up the cylinder wall. I have not been able to find a site on the net that says if they are or not. He said as a precaution we should check for rust.

[94cobra69ss396]

My co-worker was asking if we were changing rings. He said that cast rings (if there are used in this engine) may rust from the water exposure and jack up the cylinder wall. I have not been able to find a site on the net that says if they are or not. He said as a precaution we should check for rust.

I soaked up the water that was in the cylinders already. Plus the cylinder walls and rings are covered in oil. They aren't going to rust in the next couple weeks.

[Shaolin Crane]

They wont rust for a few months.

[Damian]

Double check anyways because mine did when my old 3.0 overheated and it only had water in the cylinders over night.

[Leedom]

Well another long say of working on the Santa Fe. Ron and I got the timing belt on, and the heads. Tomorrow we have a long list of things to still button up. Hopefully we get it done. I found the clip we "placed" in a secret location in the engine bay for safe keeping so all we have to look for not is a 10mm bolt. On a more positive note Ron cleaned out the Carb better than I could and Shannon's "hog" (her 50cc Vespa) is not up and running. Thanks soooo much Ron!

[94cobra69ss396]

You're welcome. See you again tomorrow.

[Leedom]

Yesterday was a 14 hour day and everything went back on the car with only 2 extra bolts and we knew where they went and there was no issue with them not being on there. Turned the key and a few clicks later engine will not even turn over. Praying for little damage because when Ron asks if that was piston and values hitting your heart just drops. This weekend will be round 3. :( That $4,700 estimate is looking better and better but we are too deep into this to give up now.

[Shaolin Crane]

What happened exactly?

[Vettezuki]

Let's be honest. Cars just plain suck balls sometimes.

[Leedom]

What happened exactly?

I got in and turned the key and a few clicks like the motor was trying to turn over and some clicks like metal meeting metal and then the car would not even crank and the Engine Light was staring at me. We double checked that the #1 cylinder was at TOD before we set timing and then manually cranked the engine over through an entire 4 stroke cycle with no noise. I am hoping that Valves and Cylinders were not meeting each other. I am praying that it is not the worst.

[Chuck]

What the car was stolen?

[SeanPlunk]

What the car was stolen?

:clapping:

:sm_laughing:

We need to have dinner soon.

[SeanPlunk]

I got in and turned the key and a few clicks like the motor was trying to turn over and some clicks like metal meeting metal and then the car would not even crank and the Engine Light was staring at me. We double checked that the #1 cylinder was at TOD before we set timing and then manually cranked the engine over through an entire 4 stroke cycle with no noise. I am hoping that Valves and Cylinders were not meeting each other. I am praying that it is not the worst.

Ugh. Calling you in a few.

[94cobra69ss396]

A valve couldn't have hit a cylinder. We turned the engine over by hand a couple times without contact. What I think the issue is, is that the exhaust cam on the right side is off so that the engine pulled air in but can't expel it. I had too much going on today to take a look at it but I'm going to try to tomorrow.

[Shaolin Crane]

I doubt the stock cams have that much lift to contact unless its thats far off. Which knowing Ron it wont be.

[Damian]

I always crank the engine over by hand 4 revolutions of the crank and check TDC again. It's a bitch if the plugs are in but well worth the troubles. I'd say put the crank back at TDC and check the cams and see if they are lined up.

[Leedom]

I do not know how the valve and piston could have met as we did turn the engine over a couple of times and checked the timing a few times. I am pretty sure it was not piston/valve meeting, but can not be completely confident with this project. With this project it has all been about doing things more than once so this is par for the course.

[Damian]

Try cranking it over by hand and see if it moves. Might be something wrong with the starter. Ive never seen something happen like you're describing and I've done too many timing belt jobs on these Mitsu motors.

[94cobra69ss396]

We turned the crank 6 revolutions or 3 camshaft revolutions while triple checking to make sure we had the cam timing correct so I know that the valves didn't make contact. However, we did it without plugs in the engine so there was no compression. When I have time I'll take another look at it.

[Damian]

Did you do the tensioner correctly? Did you pull the pin out?

[94cobra69ss396]

Yep and it endedup at 1.60 after sitting overnight. The manaul stated it should be between 1.50 - 1.78.

[Leedom]

What about the Pulley the Auto Tensioner pushes against? The one that has the bolt hole that is off center. Is there a position that should be in when you are measuring the auto tensioner? It seems to me that that could have a decent affect on the overall tension of the belt (dumb design IMO).

[Damian]

I just use a little pry bar and just use it to push that pulley up fairly hard to where when I pull the pin, it just slides right out by hand.

From the sounds of it, its not a valve hitting tghe piston. You can damn near do 2 revolutions of the crank (by HAND) before you hit a valve. Even then, you are barely hitting a valve. So even if timing is off a tooth or two, you are NOT going to hit one.

[Leedom]

Damian,

I might need to stop by your place and pick a few bolts out of your extras so that we have stock looking bolts on the timing covers. What city do you live in?

[Damian]

Fullerton, close to the 57 and 91. Over by the train station. Those are all 10mm bolts, there might be one or two 12mm bolts as well.

[Leedom]

Fullerton, close to the 57 and 91. Over by the train station. Those are all 10mm bolts, there might be one or two 12mm bolts as well.

The ones we are missing are 10mm I think but if you got some extra 12mm as well I will take them. You can never have enough. You gonna be around Saturday morning say around 8 to 8:30?

[Damian]

I'll be home. Just take whatever you think you may or may not need. I'll pm you my address.

[Leedom]

I'll be home. Just take whatever you think you may or may not need. I'll pm you my address.

Thanks. Got the address I will stop by on my way out to Ron's. Maybe I will take you with me. :sm_laughing:

[Damian]

I might be able to swing out there with you. Mother in law is coming down, that's when I can sneak out. I'll know by the time you come out. My cell # is five five nine-393-3258.

[Leedom]

I might be able to swing out there with you. Mother in law is coming down, that's when I can sneak out. I'll know by the time you come out. My cell # is five five nine-393-3258.

Cool deal. If helping you avoid you Mother-in-law is what I have to do then I am willing to fall on that sword.

[Damian]

Where is the car at? What city?

[Leedom]

Where is the car at? What city?

Beautiful Fontana. I can drive or give you gas money if you help out. I will also buy meals. Give you some tickets to the Lucas Oil NMCA WEST Coast Shootout (http://www.nmcadigital.com/2012_event_schedule/pomona_ca_preview/) in August.

[Damian]

I'll see what I can do.

[Leedom]

Well we took the top end off again today. Ron and I looked at it and decided that I wanted 1 new piston and 4 exhaust vales with a trip back to Pacific Engine for some more work... you know because we have not replaced enough already:suicide:. On a happier note I got to do some welding today and now have AC that blows out of all my vents not just the defrost and floor vents.:thumbs_up:

[Shaolin Crane]

Gotta love random vacuum leaks that fuck with the hvac settings.

[Leedom]

Gotta love random vacuum leaks that fuck with the hvac settings.

Yup. That was one of Shannon's biggest complains about the truck. I need AC! Like she gets real hot in her 10 minute commute to and from work.

[Shaolin Crane]

Vanessa is kinda the same way, she was complaining that the a/c in her car wasnt blowing as cold as my truck. So I fixed it for her and now she says it blows too cold and she hardly uses it. :suicide:

[injdinjn]

Vanessa is kinda the same way, she was complaining that the a/c in her car wasnt blowing as cold as my truck. So I fixed it for her and now she says it blows too cold and she hardly uses it. :suicide:

LOL Show here the buttons with the pictures on them for adjusting the temp and fan.

[Shaolin Crane]

Oh she knows. :uh:

[Vettezuki]

I read somewhere that literally the number one thing men and women argue about in a house or car or wherever is the temperature. No. 1.

[Chuck]

I am always hot and she is always cold my house my car AC is on in her car AC is also on I win.

[Damian]

I read somewhere that literally the number one thing men and women argue about in a house or car or wherever is the temperature. No. 1.

That's because a woman's thermostat is way off. My mother in law is the worst.

[94cobra69ss396]

So apparently you are just supposed to know that the timing marks on the rear head don't line up. Luckily the engine had a timing belt done before and the tech marked the cam gears. We thought the marks he made were just wrong because the manual says to line them up with the valve cover which is what we did the first time and that didn't work. This time we lined the marks up that the tech made and it worked perfect. I checked to make sure that the back cylinders were opening and closing the valves at the same as the front head and they were. So Adam is now on his way home in the Santa Fe.

[Damian]

That doesn't make any sense unless they put the wrong cam gears on.

[blackax]

So apparently you are just supposed to know that the timing marks on the rear head don't line up. Luckily the engine had a timing belt done before and the tech marked the cam gears. We thought the marks he made were just wrong because the manual says to line them up with the valve cover which is what we did the first time and that didn't work. This time we lined the marks up that the tech made and it worked perfect. I checked to make sure that the back cylinders were opening and closing the valves at the same as the front head and they were. So Adam is now on his way home in the Santa Fe.

Wow that sucks. Well its good to hear the you guys figured it all out.

[94cobra69ss396]

That doesn't make any sense unless they put the wrong cam gears on.

I agree but the timing marks on the front valve cover were right on with the cam gears but the rears were both off from the marks on the valve cover.

[Damian]

I'm not sure if the DOHC cam gears are different on the front compared to he rears, or if the cam pins are offset compared to the front. Mitsubishi actually gives one bank more aggressive cam(s) than the other bank. Something to do with that extra power from one bank at lower RPMs and more power from the other at higher RPMs.

I'm glad you guys got it running though. Just seems odd to me though. Now you have a good 60k before you need to do the timing belt again.

[Leedom]

A HUGE thanks to Ron again. Shannon and I were totaling up the hours we spend and the 2 of us did about 60 each I think. We saved about $2,700 doing it ourselves even after our issues. Nothing major will be done to this car again. First sign of problems and off to the dealer we go to trade it in!

On top of the joy of having it competed and running today, Ron and I had some fun with my wife. We took a video on my phone where I turned the key real quick and we acted like the engine locked again and sent it to her. We totally sold it. She was already on the computer looking for a mechanic in Ontario when I called her a short time later. She did not think that joke was as funny as Ron and I did.

[94cobra69ss396]

I thought it was funny. By the way, did you guys like the cake?

[Vettezuki]

Congrats. Some car stuff just ain't no damn fun at all until it's out of the way.

[Leedom]

I thought it was funny. By the way, did you guys like the cake?

Yeah we did. It was just the right about of sweet.

[Shaolin Crane]

I'm going to order your drier tomorrow. Let me know what day you want to come down, i can do it in less then an hour.

Who did you end up going to for the valve job?

[94cobra69ss396]

I'm going to order your drier tomorrow. Let me know what day you want to come down, i can do it in less then an hour.

Who did you end up going to for the valve job?

He had Rancho Engine Machine do the valve job. We also charged the A/C system yesterday so talk to Adam before ordering the dryer. He tested it yesterday when he got home and he said it was blowing at 52 degrees.

[Shaolin Crane]

It should be blowing around 42-38*, how did you pull a vacuum on it? Did you already replace the drier?

[94cobra69ss396]

We wanted to make sure Shannon had A/C so we just picked up a can of R134 from Autozone and recharged it.

[Shaolin Crane]

:uh:

That is SO bad for the system. Its going to kill that compressor quick. Not to mention the pressures and temps are going to be all over the place and are likely to blow a seal out when the super heating rises from ambient changes. Probably one of the worst things you can do for an A/C system.

[94cobra69ss396]

You should text Adam then and let him know that.

[Shaolin Crane]

I responded to his thread so he'd see it. I'll text him when I get to the shop.

[Leedom]

New problem for the Santa Fe. The oil light has been coming on so I checked the oil and the car was low after about 2,200 mile since the last change so I had her take it for a oil change to see if that was the problem. I need to pull the plastic shield under the motor and see if there is a leak or if the motor is just consuming the stuff. I actually drove her car today and the oil light faintly flickers on and off when stopped basically. I rev the motor a bit or just accelerate and the light completely goes off. I am guessing oil pump is on its way out? You guys agree? not looking forward to changing it if it is since getting the pan off was a pain when we did all the motor work before.

[kdracer73]

I'd change the sending unit first....

And how low is "low"? It would have to have less than 1 qt in the pan before the level would be low enough to cause the light to come on...and spinning it faster would not help.

[Leedom]

I did not do the oil change so I am not sure how much came out but there was not much on the dipstick. here car has a 4.5 qt capacity so if I had to guess I would say it was probably anywhere from .5 to .75 qt low. I just changed my trucks oil and pulled 4 qts out and it holds 6 so 2 qts down and my light did not come on. Thanks for the advice Paul. How hard is that to change btw?

[Damian]

It's super simple. Look on the filter housing, there is a small sensor with a one wire plug on it. It's probably a $10 part.

[Leedom]

It's super simple. Look on the filter housing, there is a small sensor with a one wire plug on it. It's probably a $10 part.

Got it and yes the part is less than $10.

[C5Natie]

If there is a low pressure scenario causing the light or if the pump is on the way out, I'd still wonder where did the oil go? I would be a bit concerned. Does it smoke on startup? Plugs ok?

[Leedom]

I have not really looked to hard into this yet. I am going to pull off the lower shield on the motor this weekend and see if there is a leak. Replace the sending unit while I am at it and go from there. The motor has over a 100k now and we did have to replace a piston when the head gasket was done so I am thinking that either we are burning oil or maybe the pan is leaking. It does not smoke that I have noticed. I have to do more investigating.

[Damian]

Trade that bitch in now!!

[Leedom]

Trade that bitch in now!!

I am leaning towards that. The truck has high enough miles on it... I need to reduce the number of vehicles that are going to require some steady maintenance.

[Damian]

I need to do that too but I can't let go of fun cars.

[94cobra69ss396]

Adam, check the plug in the cylinder we installed the new piston in. Remember that we used the old rings so it could be burning oil in that one cylinder. If it is you'll see it on the plug. Pull a couple others to see how they compare to that one.

[Leedom]

Adam, check the plug in the cylinder we installed the new piston in. Remember that we used the old rings so it could be burning oil in that one cylinder. If it is you'll see it on the plug. Pull a couple others to see how they compare to that one.

I really do not feel like pulling the upper intake off to get at it but if I have to then I have to. I have been talking to Shannon and we are leaning towards finding her a new vehicle. I know that I can fix whatever problem occur with the help of you all but I really do not want to deal with the headache. Her car down for as long as it was last time caused me enough headaches as it is. Now ever time I tell Shannon I got something to fix she automatically thinks it is going to take weeks and lots of $$. We need a car that we can count on for years to come with the baby on the way, plus that will keep me sane.

I need to replace the plugs and wires on the truck this weekend and she is thinking it is going to take the entire weekend.:sm_up_there: