scott_murray
New member
Hey all, picked up a 2002 V6 auto 130k miles for 8.5k a few months ago, the first pic is from when I put on the summer tires (oh yea, it came with 2 full sets of tires + rims). I can't figure out how to attach pictures inline with text in between, sorry, so they're all at the end.
I've gone through all the preventative maintenance I can think of. Can't tell you how valuable all the info I've gotten from this forum has been. I've never been a DIYer mechanic before, so I'm learning as I go.
I'm the third owner. I don't know a ton about the history from before, the guy I bought it from sounded like he took pretty good care of it. Before I bought it, he did a brake fluid flush, an replaced 3 of the belts (PS, alternator, and AC), the timing he "thinks" this was done by the first owner, but not sure when
Maintenance I've done:
coolant flush
oil change
replaced fuel filter
oil change in front/rear diffs and t-case
new spark plugs
clean MAF and TB
greased shafts
new PCV valve
Runs beautifully now. Getting ~ 17.5 mpg when in the 70-80mph range, and ~20 when in the 60s mph range, I think 18s mpg for city.
Tranny fluid looks good (red/pinkish) and smells good (sweet, unburnt)
Ok now my questions:
This second picture is of when I was changing the PCV valve, and noticed a significant amount of oil residue inside the manifold when I took it off that freaked me out. Sorry the pic is really bad, it's hard to get an angle with light in there. I did some searching on this forum and am not too worried now, I found out some residue is normal but couldn't find many pictures and felt like there's "a lot" in mine, or is that normal? Also, notice the oil around the hole where the valve goes. Is that was a valve cover gasket leak looks like? Again this is something I read is somewhat common, but haven't found many pictures of what that actually looks like. I tightened all the bolts (with no torque wrench), they all felt really loose. I should take another picture specifically of the valve cover. If the second one doesn't give the info you need, let me know and I'll go get another.
Second, that third picture is of...I dont know what it's called (wishbone maybe?). It's the lower arm of the front suspension, driver side, where it attaches to the frame. There's a gap where it looks like a rubber bushings should be to stop the "wishbone" from sliding around, but obviously there is none, and same on the passenger side.
Anyways, thanks for all the help. I've caught the bug. Everyday I'm popping the hood, just to look around. I want to find more things to work on as I'm reading and learning more, sadly it always seems to cost a lot.
I've gone through all the preventative maintenance I can think of. Can't tell you how valuable all the info I've gotten from this forum has been. I've never been a DIYer mechanic before, so I'm learning as I go.
I'm the third owner. I don't know a ton about the history from before, the guy I bought it from sounded like he took pretty good care of it. Before I bought it, he did a brake fluid flush, an replaced 3 of the belts (PS, alternator, and AC), the timing he "thinks" this was done by the first owner, but not sure when
Maintenance I've done:
coolant flush
oil change
replaced fuel filter
oil change in front/rear diffs and t-case
new spark plugs
clean MAF and TB
greased shafts
new PCV valve
Runs beautifully now. Getting ~ 17.5 mpg when in the 70-80mph range, and ~20 when in the 60s mph range, I think 18s mpg for city.
Tranny fluid looks good (red/pinkish) and smells good (sweet, unburnt)
Ok now my questions:
This second picture is of when I was changing the PCV valve, and noticed a significant amount of oil residue inside the manifold when I took it off that freaked me out. Sorry the pic is really bad, it's hard to get an angle with light in there. I did some searching on this forum and am not too worried now, I found out some residue is normal but couldn't find many pictures and felt like there's "a lot" in mine, or is that normal? Also, notice the oil around the hole where the valve goes. Is that was a valve cover gasket leak looks like? Again this is something I read is somewhat common, but haven't found many pictures of what that actually looks like. I tightened all the bolts (with no torque wrench), they all felt really loose. I should take another picture specifically of the valve cover. If the second one doesn't give the info you need, let me know and I'll go get another.
Second, that third picture is of...I dont know what it's called (wishbone maybe?). It's the lower arm of the front suspension, driver side, where it attaches to the frame. There's a gap where it looks like a rubber bushings should be to stop the "wishbone" from sliding around, but obviously there is none, and same on the passenger side.
Anyways, thanks for all the help. I've caught the bug. Everyday I'm popping the hood, just to look around. I want to find more things to work on as I'm reading and learning more, sadly it always seems to cost a lot.
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