Lifting Body Off - Your advice on what jobs to do

[VCarr]

The D4 2011 HSE 3.0L SDV6, 6sp, 270,000km has a rear cam seal leaking . My regular Indy is lifting the body and doing the seal.

Any advice on what other 'preventative' jobs I should think about doing while the body is off, such as replacing original rocker covers with alloy.....

Thanks in advance
Vincent

[Eric SDV6SE]

High pressure fuel pump comes to mind, ( intake mamifolds are easily done body on. )
Injectors perhaps.

[VCarr]

Thanks Eric,
I'm wondering if, given that the original rocker covers are not cracked after all this time, that I ought to replace them with originals (not alloy) and spend the money on other jobs such as the high pressure pump.
Any thoughts?
V

[Eric SDV6SE]

Re manifolds, it unfortunately not a question of if, but when. My experience has been to replace with oem (plastic) as at the time the alloy version was not available. All done body on. From memory i paid around 1800 aud for both to be done, and the car was at ~160000km.

HPFP is not serviceable, so its a full replacement, and access with body on is very tight if non existent, most work has to done blind. If it was mine, and if i was worried about the HPFP, its something I would consider if the body is off. Depends on mileage, too.

[PerthDisco]

Don’t hear much on the hpfp failing on the 3.0 but definitely is an issue on 2.7 EU4 having just replaced mine at 290k km. Not too difficult body on but the rear belt a no brainer body off.

On 2.7 the vacuum pump is a big oil leak source and very hard to replace body on I’d do that as your cam seal leak is going to be on one of these sides and maybe do both cam seals at same time.

I’d also check very closely any leaks from exhaust manifolds broken studs and cross over pipe that are known to crack. Look under insulation on crossover.

And replace the plastic coolant fitting on passenger side of block if the 3.0 has one of those. Cheap as chips part but a nightmare for access body on. Eliminate this guaranteed to fail item.

In the same camp I’d strongly consider the AC compressor replacement at those kms as you have to degass to body off and these do fail if yours not already replaced.

Radiator replacement will never be easier.

Service the rear air suspension valve block with body off much easier access.

Pull off the transfer case and grease the input shaft would be super easy body off.

[VCarr]

Hi PerthDisco,

Your reply is very helpful. Have done the AC compressor and Radiator over recent years so they would need no attention this time. It seems that having the body off opens up many opportunities for certain service work to be done, or more easily done.

In addition to yours and Eric's contributions I've found a few other threads that make offerings on preventative & opportunistic servicing. Consequently I am accumulating quite a list to take to my mechanic and talk through.

Thanks for giving me your advice.
Vincent

[PerthDisco]

Please share any definitive final list and what you end up doing.

[shanegtr]

And replace the plastic coolant fitting on passenger side of block if the 3.0 has one of those. Cheap as chips part but a nightmare for access body on. Eliminate this guaranteed to fail item.

I'd also look at replacing any plastic coolant fittings at the back of the engine. The OP's car being a HSE should have the rear heater so there is a few plastic tee pieces at the firewall that would be a real hassle to reach normally.

[DiscoJeffster]

I'd also look at replacing any plastic coolant fittings at the back of the engine. The OP's car being a HSE should have the rear heater so there is a few plastic tee pieces at the firewall that would be a real hassle to reach normally.

And the pesky side one.

[VCarr]

Thanks Shane & DiscoJeffster

Yes PerthDisco, I will certainly publish the definitive list and what work I actually get done. At present my collation of the suggestions given in this tread and found in other threads looks like this:

Opportunistic & Preventative Service Items

1. Replace Cam seals on both sides
2. L & R Rocker covers with fitting kit gasket & seals, OEM plastic (believe there was an update last year). Does this deal with the inlet manifold cracking issue?
3. Inspect all turbo items and mechanisms, including lubricating turbo actuator linkages
4. Check very closely for leaks from exhaust manifolds, cracks, loose bolts, broken studs etc on exhaust cross over pipes too, including under insulation.
5. Vacuum pump oil leaks, tension bolts
6. High pressure fuel pump & rear belt
7. Service rear EAS valve block (‘O’ rings)
8. Replace rear timing belt
9. Crankshaft front oil seal leak - install new pump & seal
10. Oil filter/cooler/separator "o" rings
11. Replace injectors
12. Pull off the transfer case and grease the input shaft
13. Alloy coolant inlet manifold
14. Plastic coolant outlet
15. Coolant flexible hoses including top hose
16. Replace flexible brake hoses
17. Sway bar bushes & linkages
18. Front & rear air spring/damper assembly
19. Replace alternator
20. Compressor overhaul kit, or at least replace the dryer kit
21. Handbrake overhaul kit, or at least spray lube down handbrake cables
22. Plastic coolant fittings at rear of engine and heater plastic fittings on firewall

My knowledge of the mechanics is very limited. And perhaps there are repeats in the list above that I don't have the knowledge to identify. I've no idea of costs and I imagine some items will be relatively inexpensive, while others not so. And, as contributors have pointed out, not all this work requires a body lift. What I have taken from this exercise is that those jobs that don't require a body lift, are nonetheless much easier to complete with the body out of the way.

Of course, I won't be able to cover all this work in this particular service episode, and will have to prioritise. However the list will help me bring some structure & direction to future service work. And this is very valuable to now have at hand.

I will update the list in the light of any further comment and advice.
Vincent

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