Under the Aspire's valve cover

[wander2039]

Replaced the valve cover gasket today. I'm fairly sure it's the only oil leak. Going to get some Simple Green tomorrow and clean it up. Once I'm sure of that going to run a little MMO but it really doesn't look bad compared to the rest of the car. Might possibly be the cleanest thing about the car! Also got to the rear wheel bearings.. on the drivers side instead of using a seal they used another wheel bearing seat!

 

[Spazdog]

good ol' Mazda B clone!

 

[wander2039]

Actually it isn't a clone. It's a 1.3L B-Series built by Mazda.

 

[xxch4osxx]

It doesn't look all that bad really. Maybe some HDEO with the MMO would help alot with the varnish.

 

[chubbs1]

Thank you for taking the pics. What were your OCI's? It is pretty clean and looks well taken care of.

 

[Johnny]

How many miles on that there engine. Looks pretty good to me.

 

[wander2039]

125k approximately the speedo cable snapped a while back. The title said 120k and I bought it with 121k a year after that title. Not sure on the OC's probably 3k from what I've seen. It looks like they tried to take care of it but really didn't have a clue. They gave it a good tune up but failed on any other fluid changes. Receipt for the disty cap, wires and rotor and various other parts was left in the car. Working on the trans and ps fluid.. nasty.

 

[rationull]

I don't see any screws -- how do you adjust the lash on those?

 

[wander2039]

Originally Posted By: rationull
I don't see any screws -- how do you adjust the lash on those?


You don't those are hydraulic. The 88 and 89's Festiva had adjustable screws but everything else since has been hydraulic. The Aspires have a different cam/roller setup from the Festiva's that's about it.

 

[panthermike]

Clean that throttle body while you're at it

Doesn't look bad really, just varnish. Some HDEO with MMO at the end of the OCI will help if you want it to, as others have mentioned.

 

[daves87rs]

Not bad at all...

 

[wander2039]

Originally Posted By: panthermike
Clean that throttle body while you're at it

Doesn't look bad really, just varnish. Some HDEO with MMO at the end of the OCI will help if you want it to, as others have mentioned.


I cleaned the TB and IAC after I put the cover back on. Never seen so much dirt in a TB. The check engine light did go away after cleaning the IAC like I figured it would. Still runs a bit rich going to check the temp sensor since the o2 has been replaced. Should be throwing a code though. The 96-97 obd2 is very different animal compared to the Festivas and even 94-95 Aspires. Unfortunately after doing all the work this weekend the headlights still didn't work with a new switch so it'll be out of commission till I can track down the short.

 

[wander2039]

Looks like the valve cover was the only leak. Going to dump whatever is in there now and replace with Pennzoil Conventional and 1/2 quart MMO. Depending on how dark it gets going to run it 3-5k. I'm going to do that twice and start running MC 5w20 for 5k.

 

[wander2039]

Here's under the Festiva's valve cover for comparison. Six years older but only 20k more on the odometer. As you can see this one wasn't as well taken care of. It does look a little better since I got it about 11k ago. I've had to replace the cam/crank shaft seals, valve stem seals, valve cover gasket, and the disty's external o-ring. The oil pan gasket was done before I got it. The only leak left is from inside the disty. Not sure how I'll fix that besides replacing it all together. Runs good and has got 34mpg last couple tanks.