Need to start getting used to working on my car

[ryu_haneda]

Hey all,

I just bought my 98 LGT 2.5 a little while ago and I want to start getting used to working on the car. What are some of the easiest projects I can start doing that require "wrench time"?

I know I eventually am going to want to swap out the valve cover gaskets on my phase 1 EJ25 engine, because they might be seeping or damp. (That might have been related to a recent oil leak that was fixed, though.)

How hard is it to get to the valve cover gaskets, anyway? And what do you look for to tell you if they are leaking?

Thanks for all your advice. I recently got some main seals replaced on or around my crankshaft on the engine that were causing noticeable blowback and made the engine cook when stopped. I'm trying to get the car ready for a run up to Niagra Falls in two weeks.

God bless you all. Later!

-ryu_haneda

[Plays_with_Toys]

On the EJ22's, its 3 bolts holding on each valve cover and a vacuum line with plenty of room to take them out. On the 25, it should be 3 bolts, but the space in which to pull them out might be alot tighter. Gaskets were $18 at autozone for some fel-pro gaskets.While you have the covers off, you could lay down some engine paint on them, to purty them up a bit.

PCV valve is an easy one, and good maintenance. Air filter, snorkusectomy is fun for some noise. Ebay intake is easy to install. Seafoam works really well to reduce a rougher idle. JDM tail lights are a good looking mod. Bleeding the brakes and replacing the rotors/pads is straightforward as well.

[scottzg]

vc gaskets are cake. Plugs and wires are also easy.

[ryu_haneda]

Does anyone have a picture of where the valve cover gaskets are on an EJ25 phase 1 engine?

[Huffer]

I find a spending some time with a rag, some diluted engine degreaser and some elbow grease is a great way to familiarise yourself with the engine, at least topside.

One easy thing to do is changing transmission fluid - it doesn't smell nearly as bad as gear oil...

[ivwarrior]

One easy thing to do is changing transmission fluid - it doesn't smell nearly as bad as gear oil...

Unless you've got a 5MT, then it smells EXACTLY like gear oil. :grin:

[blackgtbeauty]

I find a spending some time with a rag, some diluted engine degreaser and some elbow grease is a great way to familiarise yourself with the engine, at least topside.

i never would have thought of that... plus my engine bay is nasty... hmmmmm...

[JKirk]

I find a spending some time with a rag, some diluted engine degreaser and some elbow grease is a great way to familiarise yourself with the engine, at least topside.

i never would have thought of that... plus my engine bay is nasty... hmmmmm...

Yeah, actually you don't even need to put any elbow grease in it. :lol: I've got some degreaser and you just spray it from the can, let it sit for a few minutes, and then rinse it off with a powerful stream of water (doesn't even have to be a pressure washer) and then I started the engine to drive it off and it was a major improvement.

[scottzg]

One easy thing to do is changing transmission fluid - it doesn't smell nearly as bad as gear oil...

Unless you've got a 5MT, then it smells EXACTLY like gear oil. :grin:

First time i did my trans fluid i had a hard time getting the drain plug off. The engine was still warm, and i had my head right under the bolt. When it flew off, the first bit of trans fluid hit me right in the top lip, suprised, i snorted the stuff, and spent a few minutes barfing under the car. Now even a whiff of gear oil makes me nauseous. Moral of the story- don't snort gear oil.

[Wiscon_Mark]

Don't lie, you were huffing it on purpose! :lol:

[ryu_haneda]

Eeeeewwwww.

If I time this correctly, I will be working on the car this weekend. I want to spend time under the hood to make sure I get familiar with the systems. I wish I had some more money to go ahead and buy valve cover gaskets, but I'll be patient for now. God knows how much I want to fix this car up, for real.

My garage fixed the major reason for the oil leak blowback just last Thursday and Friday (seals on the crankshaft), but I'm still getting some smoke when I power off (not a lot, and not all the time, either, which leads me to believe it may just be the oil that blew back on the exhaust piping under power).

How long should I expect this to go on before I suspect anything else? I might just go ahead and get under the car on Saturday to see if I can clean it up myself. (Any suggestions on chemicals to use for the process?)

Thanks for your support. Later!

[Huffer]

I'd just get under the block and wipe off any excess oil that is around the seals - check again in a week, if it's dirty/oily again AND the oil level is lower, then you know you have a leak.

Check the exhaust and top of drivetrain for any excess oil, especially anything that looks fresh.