Quote:
Originally Posted by johnnythunderr
Unfortunately, I really had nothing to go off of at the time except Google search recommendations. Yet another live an learn moment.
I'll check Heckmann & Theimann in the morning. I've got a second inspection now scheduled with Steve's Imports later in the month, but I could easily change that over to any other suggested shop. I called Marque this morning to see about an inspection there, but their fee was $550, which was the highest of any place I've called in town.
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It's up to you, but you said your mechanically inclined, so I would skip another PPI and do the following:
Oil change will will allow the following:
- check oil for sparkles (metal bits)
- pull valve covers (buy new gaskets ahead of time)
- once valve covers are off, you can check for broken studs
- valve adjustment
Crawl under your car and check (snap some pics to share) the transaxle bushings. As others have said, those are super easy to change. Then head to the back and check the motor mount bushings (same bushing as the transaxle). Also super easy to replace. Do not get caught up in the buying poly super stiff or solid mount bushings. Just get stock rubber replacements for both (4 in total). Once you've driven the car in anger enough times, you can determine if you need stiffer mounts.
If shifting is a challenge, buy the coupler and replace that as well. The $3-500 you'll spend on another PPI should cover the cost of everything above. You'll know for sure if you need a top-end rebuild (broken studs) and start the journey of getting to know your car and more importantly how to fix your car. All of the above is less than a day's effort.
As others have said, get a manual (I might have an extra), get Wayne's 101 Projects book and lean on this forum and local Pelicans. Harry, Pete and I are local enough to you, along with a bunch of others. I had about 15 locals helping me trouble shoot my DME. We're a pretty good group of gear heads. Introduce yourself over on the local thread:
https://forums.pelicanparts.com/pacific-northwest-us-wa-id-ut-hi-ak/500446-oregon-pdx-beers-burgers-second-thursday-every-month.html