Recent content by spinfire

  1. spinfire

    Ford Ranger 4.0 SOHC?

    We are considering purchasing a 2002 Ranger with the V6 4.0L SOHC, 4x4, 5-speed. Can anyone tell me about the quality and reliability of this power train? I've read a few things about timing chain rattle on the SOHC, how can I check for that? The vehicle in question was a lease vehicle according...
  2. spinfire

    View under the valve cover 180k 1992 Accord

    Geonerd, You Accord definitely looks cleaner. Probably a combination of different usage patterns and the synthetic oil. It makes me glad I've used synthetic since new in the Golf TDI since that car gets driven more and will likely go many more miles before rust becomes an issue (145k on the...
  3. spinfire

    View under the valve cover 180k 1992 Accord

    There is definitely some rust. The classic rear quarter panel rust. I hope to get to 200k at least. It'll depend on how often I drive it. The rest of the car is solid. I recently replaced the starter and did a tune up. Original clutch, tbelt due at 195k.
  4. spinfire

    View under the valve cover 180k 1992 Accord

    No, car was not run on Castrol since new. I'm not sure where you got that. The car has been run on Castrol GTX 5w-30 since 140k. Prior to that a mix of dealer changes, independent shop changes, and jiffy lubes... and probably some unintentional extended drain intervals. The car is certainly...
  5. spinfire

    View under the valve cover 180k 1992 Accord

    I expected it to be a bit cleaner, especially after the Auto-RX. The only other vehicle I've seen in person under the valve cover in person was the Golf TDI during the tbelt change at 95k (always Rotella T or Mobil 5w-40 10k interval) and the TDI was absolutely spotless. But, of course, we've...
  6. spinfire

    View under the valve cover 180k 1992 Accord

    I resized them down for folks with slower connections and smaller screens. You can check out the original sized ones here: Pics
  7. spinfire

    View under the valve cover 180k 1992 Accord

    I did a valve adjustment recently and took some pictures with the valve cover off. This engine has been run on Castrol GTX 5w-30 since I bought it off of my parents at 140k. Prior to that I don't have records of every oil change and some were done with 10w-30. After purchasing the car I ran it...
  8. spinfire

    92 Accord 5k Castrol GTX 5w-30

    Not sure about the sodium. The bottles were *probably* from different cases of GTX, though. At some point I accidentally bought a second case before finishing the first and when I moved they got batched back together again. As I think I said the first time I did an analysis on this engine: I'm...
  9. spinfire

    92 Accord 5k Castrol GTX 5w-30

    It has been 10,000 miles since my previous analysis. My trusty Honda Accord now has 174,000 miles. The duty cycle for this interval is different from the previous due to my move to an urban area last year. During this test interval my commute was 3 miles, and the interval period included...
  10. spinfire

    Toro 8-32 with 8HP Briggs, using oil

    Yeah - it is a workhorse. It was "as is" with the blade bent from hitting a rock. I put a new blade on and it works great. I'm running the Castrol GTX because I have a ton of it. I put the Rotella in before we'd moved to the property and I happened to have Rotella in my trunk. The manual...
  11. spinfire

    Toro 8-32 with 8HP Briggs, using oil

    I bought a house and with it a Toro 8-32, I think from 1990. The engine is a 8HP Briggs & Stratton. I mow probably about an acre - maybe an hour and a bit total time. During this period the engine seems to burn oil - about 4 ounces based on the fact that the lower end of the dipstick range says...
  12. spinfire

    2007 Yaris = 300,000 miles

    I haven't spent much time in a Yaris, but I've spent enough to know that my butt and back would be wicked sore after 400 miles a day in those seats. I guess if it works for him... But if I was driving for my job I'd choose a more comfortable vehicle based on the health savings alone.
  13. spinfire

    "Knock" and "squeaaish" suspension noises

    Originally Posted By: sciphi Because they're short on cash, maybe? But it does seem asinine to go through all that work to not change the struts as well. It was done in a hurry to get the car an inspection sticker. And when I was a college student. So yeah. I wish I'd done the struts :)...
  14. spinfire

    "Knock" and "squeaaish" suspension noises

    Yeah, I am going to try and figure out what distinguishes it. It generally only occurs of very bad bumps/potholes, but sometimes even smaller potholes when hit a certain way (which I haven't ascertained yet, of course :) It definitely seems to be coming from the left. Anything to check in the...
  15. spinfire

    "Knock" and "squeaaish" suspension noises

    Well, my inspections turned up nothing and I took it to a garage and took it for a short test drive... We didn't hit any really big bumps, and the mechanic couldn't hear the noise from the passenger seat. He put it up on the lift and checked wheel bearings, sway bar bushings, everything up...
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