Thread: Pre trip check - not good news

Originally Posted by thrower78

Going to cape your in 2 weeks, took the old girl in to have a check over before I depart just to make sure all things are good. I knew it had been leaking a little more oil than usual but the level on the dipstick had not changed at all in the last month so I was not worried.

Got a call from Tim the mechanic today to the tune of leaking vacuum pump, leaking transfer case, leaking power steering pump, leaking oil around manafold gasket. The latter being the only one I am having fixed for two reasons.

1. Don't have enough money
2. I am taking oil, power steering fluid, fluid for diffs and transfer etc all with me, so if levels start to drop i will just top it up. As the levels have not changed in months they are not large leaks, they just look large damm diesel engine oil goes everywhere.

Is my logic sound? Not that it matters I dont have the extra cash to fix those things at the moment anyway. Sigh

Andrew

Andrew, I WOULD fix the power steering pump, and I'm sure Tim would agree too that it is one thing that WILL stop the trip. You can top up engine oil and trans oil but the leaking power steering pump is usually a prelude to complete failure in my experience.

JC

I fond with my transfer case leak that normal driving around town doesnt make it leak to much, the oil doesnt get hot enough to leak out. But on a long run it loses a bit and needs topping up. If you are going away and driving a fair way each day i would check the transfer case every few days, probably overkill but it depends how bad your leak it.

The leaking Vacuum pump should get fixed as well otherwise you will have no power assist for your brakes and these pumps can leak a hell of a lot of oil, I think there is a DIY fix for the Vacuum pump in the Good Oil, Regards Frank.

Thanks JC and Ace, I only talked briefly to the mech on the phone today will go out tomorrow and get further info. I assume power steering pump will be big dollars as well like the vacuum pump?
Tim described the power steering pump as a weep will have to have a look at it tomorrow. The only pain in the arse about checking transfer case fluid levels is you have to take the filler plug out each time. Just cant afford the 1500 or more odd dollars including labor it will cost to get it all done now.

Originally Posted by thrower78

Thanks JC and Ace, I only talked briefly to the mech on the phone today will go out tomorrow and get further info. I assume power steering pump will be big dollars as well like the vacuum pump?
Tim described the power steering pump as a weep will have to have a look at it tomorrow. The only pain in the arse about checking transfer cas efluid levels is you have to take the filler plug out each time.

WHATEVER you decide on Andrew, remember that the cost of vehicle recovery from remote areas will exceed the value of the vehicle. Listen to Tims advice and take it. If you risk reliability on that trip you could find yourself paying out a LOT more than the repairs you mention.

Topping up a transfer case level is quite easy with the right gear, like a small pressure pump. IIRC a 'Tom thumb' type??? Search on here should reveal it.

JC

Yes I have some thinking to do, seems every time I take the car in to get serviced or looked at there is something new that is leaking and needs to be changed, cheapest prices on the net I can find at a quick look was, new vacuum pump 250 and steering pump 275 (without postage). Tim quoted me about 330 for vacuum pump and I haven't got a price off hime yet for steering pump.

Did you read the DIY advice on this Forum, IIRC you need to replace the rivets holding the end plate on with small bolts and nuts, a simple job and could save you at least an hours labour cost $100 and the cost of a new Vac. pump, Regards Frank.

Originally Posted by Tank

Did you read the DIY advice on this Forum, IIRC you need to replace the rivets holding the end plate on with small bolts and nuts, a simple job and could save you at least an hours labour cost $100 and the cost of a new Vac. pump, Regards Frank.

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/good-oil/4...d-replace.html