Spring is approaching, and have a few problems to deal with

[d_block.5]

Hard to say at this point. I would pull it and see what's what. Then decide what and how far you want to go with it. You may have to have the block bored which would mean new pistons. As far as guessing how much it will cost would be a crap shoot right now. I'd call around to some shops and try to find one that has worked on the 7M before.

Before you pull it Jdub had a few suggestions to the problems you have I'd check those things out first.

Why were you going to do a HG in the first place when you haven't done a compression test? The problems you have don't seem that bad, unless you just want to rebuild it.

I don't think I'm going to go the rebuild route, it seems pretty expensive and as for just wanting my car running optimal for its age as it doesn't seem like an economic option unless I want a few more horsepower. Also being my car barely can keep up with a 92 Oldsmobile Cutlass there is definitely a significant power lost.

I was going to do the HG because of a couple of reasons. One being the notorious BHG in which seems everyone eventually encounters and its more of preventative maintenance. Second, I've seen coolant on the plugs and there was signs of burning coolant when I pulled my plugs last. Third, I want to replace every single gasket, seal, and hose possible. Finally, as for the problems I've listed it would give me a great opportunity to see what is happening inside my cylinders as well as replace any part that warrants replacement. While I have the optimum amount of time, I want to be more familiar with a motors internals as I have a natural curiosity being an engineering student.

I haven't gotten a chance to check the codes today as I woke up way late for work, going to try to push it tomorrow so we'll see.

 

[d_block.5]

Also, my car used to overheat after about 1 hour trips on the highway last summer, I since replaced a coolant hose near the rear of the block which had a nice size cut in it and had the system flushed. It has not come near to overheating since, but then again it's an average of 20F-30F now as opposed to 80F-90F during the summer. I highly doubt it has a BHG, but the possibility of it makes me want to prepare for the worst and fix it while I am out of work before I need my car again.

 

[AJ'S 88NA]

Have you noticed any white milky deposits on the inside of the oil cap? Or any evidence of water in the oil?

 

[d_block.5]

Have you noticed any white milky deposits on the inside of the oil cap? Or any evidence of water in the oil?

nah the oil cap was clean when i wiped it down the other night after throwing another QT in there.

last time I changed my oil (due for it this weekend), it was just completely black and sludgey, no signs of water because it would have been very obvious, i use 10w/40 in the winter and 5w/30 i believe in the spring/summer.

 

[cuel]

Read this about oil: http://63.240.161.99/motoroil/

When you're done, you'll know more about motor oil, what it does, and how it works, then your average mechanic.

 

[AJ'S 88NA]

nah the oil cap was clean when i wiped it down the other night after throwing another QT in there.

last time I changed my oil (due for it this weekend), it was just completely black and sludgey, no signs of water because it would have been very obvious, i use 10w/40 in the winter and 5w/30 i believe in the spring/summer.

I think it should be the other way around. Cuel gave you a very good link

 

[d_block.5]

so i read the link that Cuel gave me on the oil... very very detailed an information, so i went out and put some Royal purple yesterday and a new filter and changed it this morning, the clicking noise went away. I also had checked my codes this morning and I had nothing.. so now its time to buy parts. With about $1300 to spend I'm looking for parts to buy, I already have great tires but thats about all.