Help with a few questions please! :smile:

[tsimira]

Hi peoples, its been a while since I've been on the boards but I've been ignoring the computer a lot (busy!).

I just have a few newbie questions (as usual always asking never giving :embarrass ) that hopefully you could help me with.

I've got a 91 VN V6 exec that I recently got serviced, and the guy who did it said I should get a Fuel Injector service. I'm guessing that it involves a bit more than just running some cleaner through, but I'm not 100% clear on what would get done. (I said no to him doing it anyway as he quoted $500 and even to me that seems a ripoff) It wouldn't surprise me if it does have to get done though, as when the car was given to me I dont think it was really looked after that well, I would just like to know what exactly a fuel injector service entails?

Also on the topic of it not being that well maintained, I have done a few things, but am unsure of what else I could/should do to it to get it up to scratch. We are planning on taking it on a long trip next month so would like it to running at its best so it doesnt die and leave us stranded.

Off the to of my head so far its had replaced:

- Transmission Fluid (although this was a few months back now - how often should it be changed?)
- Oil & Filter
- Air Filter
- Spark Plugs
- Battery

There is probably a million other things I should do but I dont know what. I do know I should flush & replace the coolant but I am just not 100% sure how to go about it so I dont break something, and the drive belt is cracked so I have to change that, but if I am understanding properly it is under tension, so how do I know (once I put the new one on) how much tension is the right amount? Also the aircon (I think?) glugs and sloshes alot when the car is driven, is that anything bad? (and is it even the aircon?!?)

If anyone could help me out with some info on the above (thats clear enough for me to understand - I dont know much so you might have to dumb it down a lot lol) it would be greatly appreciated. I have searched for help with the coolant thing but so much conflicting advice I'm confused) I ask a lot I know but I am greatful for the help I swear!

Thanks muchly,

tsimira

 

[vt1538]

A proper injector service involves removing the injectors & then ultrasonically cleaning & testing them. Then they are fefitted with new seals.
A mate of mine that does them charges about $27 an injector to clean test & supply new seals. Then you will have about an hours labour to remove & refit.

 

[tsimira]

Thanks for the reply...would most places do that ultrasonic cleaning thing or does it require some fancy equipment?...Also (really silly q) how many fuel injectors are there on a car? (lol like i said i dont know much)

thanks again

tsimira

 

[CSL]

6 on the car, ive heard of companies doing a full clean on all 6 for $99 and labor would be about 20-30 bucks max, i reckon you should tell that mechanic of yours where to go. for $500 you could get a new fuel pump installed, new filter, clean injectors, and a decent amount of juice.
as for the tranny i wouldnt worry for a while.

 

[vt1538]

The tensioner for the belt is spring loaded so the correct tension is maintained no matter what the belt condition. If you are going to replace it draw on something how the belt runs through the various pulleys to make sure you put it back on correctly.
As for the noise in the aircon it is air in the heater box. I am sure if you search around someone has explained it fully.

 

[tsimira]

i reckon you should tell that mechanic of yours where to go. for $500 you could get a new fuel pump installed, new filter, clean injectors, and a decent amount of juice.

Dont worry there was no way I was going to pay that much, even before I knew what it was it sounded way too much (unfortunately I'm used to people *trying* to rip me off cos 1. I dont know much about cars & 2. I'm female (cliche but people still try)

vt1538 excellent idea about drawing how the belt runs, knowing me i'd be the one thing i'd overlook If the tensioner is spring loaded, does it mean that I would have to loosen it & tighten it up or will it just push down/away and pop back up when the new belt is on?

thanks again for the help

 

[Doctor Sodways]

To get the belt off, grab a ratchet, get the right size socket and pull it out of the way, anticlockwise, itll move freely, then, take the belt off, replace, move it again and get it running true and your done

 

[aussieghostrider]

I got my injectors ultrasonic cleaned etc for $250 and that was 2 years ago.

transmission get oil changed every 50,000 and a bottle of that nulon transmission treatment wouldnt hurt,cost me $75 to get transmission fluid replaced with new pan gasket.If going on long trip just make sure you take a few tools like screwdriver,stanelyknife,good waterproof duct tape for leaking hoses,couple bottles of water,Also good idea is to get the Crank sensor replaced as if its faulty will cause car to shut down when engine gets hot,to get that replaced cost me $130.The crank sensor is the plastic thing with wires just sitting near the harmonic balancer.If it ever goes getting ICE and or something really cold placed on it and then after few mins you can start ya car again and drive.

Get Engine oil changed with filter every 5000km's or so....and if your going on a long trip take a spare bottle of new engine oil & a funnel with you incase you have slight leaks which you will notice more after driving on long trips.So check your oil levels after car has stopped for 10 mins or so and top up if needed.

just make sure you take few bottles of water incase you get radiator hose leak or similar.Make sure your spare tyres got 35psi in it and make sure all tyres have 35psi in them.Also take a bottle or two of transmission fluid it can also be used for the power steering. If your power steerings leaking try a bottle of that NULON power steering treatment as it worked for my car.

before spending money on getting injectors cleaned try changing your petrol filter its under the rear drivers side wheel,try a bottle of that injector cleaner and only put half a tank of fuel and that will clean them up.Also if your getting crappy fuel enconomy get your o2 sensore replaced it costs $85 for the sensor and takes only 2 mins to install.

hope that helps...

 

[VNPOWER]

check your coolant in your surge tank or radiator. If it is not green, change it.
When i got my car my radiator was full of water and it was brown rust!
If you already have coolant, i wouldnt bother changing it.

But if you need to change it its easy. All you need is a long Flat head screwdriver. Undo the bottom hose on the radiator, all the water will flow out. Then undo the top radiator hose then shove a garden hose in the top radiator and flush all the gunk out. Then shove the hose into the top radiator hose and watch all the rust flow out the bottom hose.

Once you have done that, just put the hoses back on and fill her up with coolant either through the radiator or the surge tank.

 

[tsimira]

To get the belt off, grab a ratchet, get the right size socket and pull it out of the way, anticlockwise, itll move freely, then, take the belt off, replace, move it again and get it running true and your done

Ah thankyou, that makes sense. I just dont like to go fiddling with things before I know what I'm doing.

aussieghostrider thanks for the help, the transmission fluid & pan gasket got replaced a few months ago, and the car defintley hasnt gone 50k since then so should be fine for now. What would a bottle of the treatment do for the car? I have been thinking about replacing the O2 sensor as well, fuel economy isnt *bad* but isnt that great either, and I suppose if I get a new one then it should be fine for a while after that anyway, instead of it just maybe becoming an issue later down the line.

VNPOWER thanks for your response too, I had another quick look and it does look like water, or atleast very diluted coolant so a change is definetly in order, so will have to get around to doing that too.

Still not sure if I will get the injectors serviced, on the upside it gets it done so I dont have to worry about it for a while, but I dont want to spend the money if I dont need to, or if theres a cheaper easier solution. How exactly would have he known they needed a service? Because I have no idea how to tell.

Thanks again all, muchly appreciated

tsimira