There are just some days I wish I didn't turn wrenches

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

OP
OP
OR VietVet

OR VietVet

Multnomah Falls
Supporting Member
Military
Joined
Oct 8, 2014
Posts
20,251
Reaction score
35,145
Location
Willamette Valley
I always thought that I needed a lift to be more comfortable and mobile when working under a vehicle. I was helping out at a friends shop and worked under the lift. I found that standing there and reaching up, on the concrete, for periods of time, was harder on my back and hip than laying on my back under a vehicle. I have these 4' x 8' roll out 3/8" thick foam pads that I lay on and that is pretty comfortable. When I am working on the perimeter at the wheels areas, I either sit on the pads or my mechanic's stool. I don't ache near as much when I do that. The hip feels way better and I do not twist and turn and stretch as much as when I am under a lift and that is way better on my groin.
 
OP
OP
OR VietVet

OR VietVet

Multnomah Falls
Supporting Member
Military
Joined
Oct 8, 2014
Posts
20,251
Reaction score
35,145
Location
Willamette Valley
Well, got back at it in my driveway, the last couple days. My landlord needed an oil change and I did that, the air filter that was filthy, the cabin air filter that was filthier, cleaned the throttle bore-after removing the throttle body, found some oily residue in the pcv lines and ordered all new lines and pcv from RA-Genuine GM and found leaking oil cooler lines and ordered Genuine GM from RA and will be doing that in a month or two. Also found his p/s air dam had broke at the tip and was hanging out slightly and am trying to figure out the best way to fix. The ear is broken from the air dam.....Also found where a local shop had removed the air dam and front bumper structure for access for some other work that the landlord cannot remember and looks like they hand started two bolts and one was still hanging there and the other was gone. I found another bolt to install and tightened it all up. This is all on a 2018 Suburban.

Now after the cabin air filter, when the blower is on, it has a slight rumble noise and gets louder as the speed increases. I did not listen to the fan at all before changing the cabin air filter. I pulled it back apart and the filter is installed correctly and in the correct direction of air flow. I cleaned out the CAF pocket when I replaced it. I explained that some debris is likely down in the squirrel cage or, over time, that clogged filter worked the blower too hard and now the bearings are grumbling. He knows I am not at fault. I told him we would get a new blower and cage. Remove the lower cover and drop the blower and inspect. If has debris, I then will plug it back in and hold the motor and feel for the rumble and then clean it and do it again and compare. If all it needs is a cleaning of debris. I will reinstall and take back the new motor but if needs new motor, I am going to plug it in and see how it feels too. This ought to be fun.
20240723_103737.jpg20240723_103811.jpg

20240723_101422.jpg20240723_101436.jpg20240723_103726.jpg
 
Last edited:
OP
OP
OR VietVet

OR VietVet

Multnomah Falls
Supporting Member
Military
Joined
Oct 8, 2014
Posts
20,251
Reaction score
35,145
Location
Willamette Valley
Now, on to the second vehicle. I worked on a 2000 Toyota Corolla that had a miss at idle in gear and a miss at cruising speed of 50-55. It has a very simple 1.8 4 cylinder with easy access. Last night I drove and duplicated the miss. I removed engine cover and disconnected the ignition coils connectors and removed the coils. 3 had oil on them and then I found my miss, had arcing tracks on one of the coils. He opted for new NGK plugs, new Duralast coils-4 of them, valve cover gasket because the tube seals were leaking oil and replace the pcv valve and a new air filter. I had heard what I thought was rumbling in the right front when driving but never could get it to increase/decrease by the back and forth movement of the steering wheel. I also heard the blower motor rumbling and when I asked about the noises he said he forgot to tell me about the bower motor very loud rumbling noise. Turns out that the blower motors all make the same noise at about the same age. I also found 3 videos on you tube explaining the exact same noise. I told him I would check the bearings at the front when I put it in the air. I found no play and no rumbling noise that I could hear or feel. Gonna wait on that and I ordered in a new Toyota blower motor and will install by weekend. Also, yes I did remember to add a dab of Permatex sealer at the head and timing cover mating points.

By the way, the pics show the old v/c gasket and broken up tube seals and new coils. The head was cleaned in prep for the new seal/gasket but I took the pic before I cleaned the tube seal surfaces. Rest assured, all was prepped as should be.
20240724_093404.jpg

20240724_092042.jpg20240724_093111.jpg20240724_093243.jpg
 
Last edited:

Forum statistics

Threads
131,208
Posts
1,846,995
Members
95,207
Latest member
BigRed23
Top