[V8] 1 Question + 1 Problem

[Ron Wainwright]

Leo, comments inserted below.......


--- On Mon, 12/15/08, Leo <Leov8 at fibertel.com.ar> wrote:

> From: Leo <Leov8 at fibertel.com.ar>
> Subject: [V8] 1 Question + 1 Problem
> To: v8 at audifans.com
> Date: Monday, December 15, 2008, 9:24 PM
> Dear all
> 
> 1)      I've been having problems with my instrument
> cluster, to the point
> I'm thinking of getting a new one, and I was thinking
> if possible to get it
> in Kilometers instead of miles (since I brought the car to
> Argentina!!).
> Does anybody know if it would work the same, in regards to
> sensors and
> values shown, etc.?

 What the problem with the cluster? Early cluster failures are well documented.

 On the Kilometers VS Miles.... I swapped out the cluster in my 91 200 20vt with a European (in Kilometers/lit) & I can say that everything cept miles to empty & my average gas consumption works. Some have suggest I may need a European gas sender... but I remember that there's a small switch of sorts that is on the cluster bored it'self to have it read in Kil or miles... but I have to look to be sure.


> 2)      Now the problem: I haven't paid much attention
> to the car since
> August 29th when at a toll booth all of the sudden, it
> showed some white
> smoke coming from the passenger's side of the engine. I
> stopped the car,
> checked the oil, all ok, started the car again, no noises
> and kept going
> slowly, since the car was running without trouble. Water
> temperature ok, Oil
> temperature & oil pressure ok. Took it to my mechanic
> but he was having some
> personal problems and couldn't take care of "the
> car". We noticed some oil
> spread on the passenger's side of the engine, that was
> probably what caused
> the smoke but I couldn't determined where it came from.
> 
>  Since I didn't need it, I parked the car and never
> started it again until 4
> months later (I know that's not good but..I was busy
> taking care of bigger
> problems).
> 
> Yesterday, I put a new battery (it was needed it anyway), I
> started the car
> with no effort at the first try & run smoothly. Oil
> level was low about a
> liter or so. Added up some and I moved the car slowly  a
> couple of miles
> without any trouble. Today, oil level is still good, but I
> don't want to use
> the car until I figure and fix the problem.
> 
> -Where do I start? ((235.000 miles!!! Maybe time to do the
> whole thing?)).

 Could be the valve cover. Could be the dizzy seal or could be the dizzy flange gasket.
 I suggest cleaning the area off & start the car & let idle. Do a visual check from under the hood, & get under the car with a flash light & look around. If nothing is leaking take the car for a ride & check again.


> I also noticed a small problem in the radiator (it has
> nothing to do with
> the oil problem but I'd like to hear suggestion about
> where to get a new
> radiator and which one).

 The rad is leaking... or you suspect it clogged?
 I HIGHLEY suggest an OE rad. It's been documented that an aftermarket rad WILL NOT FIT & is JUNK!
 I think a new OE rad's going to be pretty close to $400 now days. I bought one last year for Black Betty (my 5sp) & it was $320.
 I have a few newer rads from parts cars I've parted..... I usually do not recomend used... but if your tight for $$$ & need it I can help.



> Wishing you all a nice 2009, I'll be waiting for your
> expert comments.

 I got your other mail... let me know what you wanna do on the other stuff & the rad if you want.

Ron