Recent content by theophile

So the ending of the story (hopefully) is that the mechanic was able to force the existing pressure line back on and tighten it down. I've had the car back for 5 days and so far so good!

I talked to the mechanic about this today and asked why he recommended replacing the entire valve cover. He said that the "PVC valve" is integrated into the valve cover so if it's stuck open, the whole valve cover needs replacing. I was ready to call BS because I know the V8 doesn't have a PCV...

I stopped by the shop today to put eyeballs on what's going on. Here's a picture of the Duralast part next to the stock one they removed: The mechanic says (and I can see) that the "U" bend on the Duralast protrudes slightly further out than on the stock part. He says that being shaped this...

Thanks, that's what I figured. I've done the VCG before, it was just no fun and I'm not looking forward to doing it again. I suppose I should be glad it doesn't require climbing underneath the car.

So my car is in the shop for power steering pump (and evidently high pressure line) replacement. The shop reports that they've ordered and tried three different pressure lines that say they are for this car ('02 Sport V8) but they don't fit because they're "too long." He said they tried another...

Yeah I have the Fel-Pro gasket set. I bought it 2 years ago because I knew it needed doing but just haven't been able to bring myself to do it yet. I did the entire job about 9 years ago shortly after I got the car and really hate that I have to do it again. On the PS, I'm sure a seal let...

Thanks Joe. That's what I figured. I'll take a closer look when I get it back.

I took my 2002 LS Sport V8 to the shop this morning because it suddenly started spitting ATF all over the ground and the PS is making a racket. I figured with the unusually cold weather (for this area) an O-ring finally gave out somewhere and I'm just not in the mood these days to spend the...

I just posted that an hour ago. Haven't had a chance to try it yet!

Wanted to pop in and add my thanks to @DeviLSh for the great writeup. I recently installed the Powerflex bushings on all four lower control arms at all points (didn't do the uppers). While I was working on them, I confirmed that the sway bar bushings are ok (or at least not squeaky). After...

Thanks Joe, that's helpful. I'll check it out. Maybe I'm lucky and everything's fine, it's just been too long since I cleaned things out.

Crankcase overpressure does sound like the likely culprit, and could explain why VCGs are leaking again. I will check the lines for blockages and see if that turns anything up. I have to admit that I am not entirely sure what the circuit flow is in the vacuum/PCV system, but I will plan to pull...

Sounds interesting. Can you explain?

I have the Moog sway bar links and tie rod ends and those have grease fittings. The control arms don't though. Neither do their press-in lower ball joints.

The control arm rubber bushings aren't greaseable. The ball joint doesn't have a grease fitting but I'm sure could be greased if you really want to. Interestingly, the Moog ball joint was probably ok without any noticable play. It's been about 40,000+ miles since I installed it, but it's been...