Saving an SSEi that was put out to pasture

[pvfjr]

The compressor is tucked under the rear bumper on the 96-99's. I forget which side it is on though. I replaced the compressor on my 97, and then when I got my 96 it wasn't working so I bypassed it. There is a kit for bypassing it at Advance, Monroe part number AK29. It allows you to inflate the shocks manually.

The car looks like it will clean up really nice.

Yeah, I think I saw it on the passenger side back there. I'll probably try to just rebuild it, I've had luck with that in the past. I bought an Xterra that had been submerged for a couple days once, and I had to revive a compressor, winch motor, wiper motor, window motors, etc. If it had a commutator, it was corroded and seized. They all eventually worked with a little elbow grease.

[ga93sle]

I'm excited to see this one all cleaned up and back on the road!!!

[labonnevillastrangiato]

I can't wait to see this with all the crud washed off. Great find, and best of luck! Hope you get it going real soon and cost effectively. Any questions, keep firing away. This is the best forum the internet has to offer.

Cheers,
Adam

[pvfjr]

I can't wait to see this with all the crud washed off. Great find, and best of luck! Hope you get it going real soon and cost effectively. Any questions, keep firing away. This is the best forum the internet has to offer.

Cheers,
Adam

Well since you asked for it, there's the before and after:








AFTER





The bumper is gonna need a little attention, but the car cleaned up OK. At least you can see through the glass now!

[pvfjr]

I had to drop the tank to see what was going on with the fuel pump. It was seized up, AND not getting a proper ground.





Don't hate me because my fuel lines are beautiful...




Nasty. The brushes had actually overheated and fused into the plastic guides. I took it apart and freed everything up, and reground the brushes. I got the motor spinning again, but it won't pump. I had to break down and buy a replacement pump today.

[Benvw99]

That cleaned up amazing!!

[1oldman]

very nice looking for sure! Thanks for the photos! - BC

[Benvw99]

Just a question - do you think that you will have a mouse problem inside the car? Since it's been sitting so long?

[RJolly87]

If it hasn't been discovered yet, I doubt it. Usually when they make hash of things its up on top of the engine. Also, if the interior is open, under the seats is another possible problem area. But if the car has been setting that long, and has nothing obvious, it's doubtful.

[pvfjr]

Just a question - do you think that you will have a mouse problem inside the car? Since it's been sitting so long?

I had suspected I would see evidence of that. I've had cars that sat for 3 months that developed mouse problems, but I've yet to see any evidence of them in this car. Very surprising.

I do have an ant problem though! My wife ground up a borax/sugar cocktail for them in a tuna can, and we've been getting a lot of customers. I need to get them all killed before they start populating the garage instead of the car.





I originally discovered them here under the passenger floor carpet when I was looking for the ground buses. I had to lay on top of them while messing with the fuel pump relay. I ended up with ants all over my arms, but none in my pants. I did a little dance anyway.

[pvfjr]

If it hasn't been discovered yet, I doubt it. Usually when they make hash of things its up on top of the engine. Also, if the interior is open, under the seats is another possible problem area. But if the car has been setting that long, and has nothing obvious, it's doubtful.

I did find some acorns on top of the engine, so I think I had a squirrel. Nothing in the interior thankfully. I think you're right, if I haven't seen it yet, they probably never made it in.

[00Beast]

My buddy who has an 05 SLE had a squirrel ferret a bunch of fish trimmings in his engine bay. His dad left them in a bucket after ice-fishing, and the squirrel decided the engine compartment was a good place to hide them...

[pvfjr]

My buddy who has an 05 SLE had a squirrel ferret a bunch of fish trimmings in his engine bay. His dad left them in a bucket after ice-fishing, and the squirrel decided the engine compartment was a good place to hide them...

Well I'm sure that was quite gross.

[pvfjr]

I finally got the car fired up today, and the wife and I got to go for a ride. The rear tires are completely trashed, so things were a bit rough. I'm hearing some noise from the brakes, but I think the rust will polish off of the rotors with a little use. I got on the throttle once, and then the check engine light came on for a cylinder #4 misfire. I also think the shocks may need a little attention. Also, I didn't feel it downshift like I expected. I may have to pay a little attention to the transmission some time. It ran smooth, but just didn't have the power I expected. Who knows if everything is working right though, I'm not very familiar with the system yet.

The biggest issue is probably the pooled up coolant I saw on top of the motor. I'm thinking maybe its the intake manifold gaskets. Anyone here had to replace that?

[haro1225]

Almost everybody has had to replace the intake gaskets. Its a very common issue with these cars.

[rustyroger]

My '87 Olds has the pump under the hood, and it works fine , maybe they moved it for later model years.
It shouldn't really matter where the compressor goes if you need to replace it, jun less you are trying for a concours restoration, I dare say you could buy a generic aftermarket replacement.

Roger.

[1oldman]

I'm thinking maybe its the intake manifold gaskets.

My observation of push rod V GM engines is if you have more than 75,000 miles on the engine, you're probably going to have to replace the LIM gaskets. It took 100,000 miles on my dad's 1954 Buick Special before the LIM gaskets started leaking and every GM V8 I've owned long enough has had to have them replaced. The only exceptions I know of is when GM started using the metal frame LIM gaskets. - BC

[pvfjr]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

I've looked over things carefully after an oil change and a short driving trip. I'm seeing both coolant and oil on top of the motor. Also, I think I'm seeing some coolant contamination in the oil. I have some light condensation under the oil cap (this doesn't exclude normal condensation of air, necessarily). I think I'm seeing it on the dipstick too, very slight if at all.

Could the LIM/UIM account for all of these symptoms? I'm really hoping I don't need to do a head gasket. Is there a better way to see if there are trace amounts of coolant in the oil, or should I wait for it to become obvious? Chromatography, perhaps? I've only driven it about 2 miles.

[haro1225]

Head gasket would be highly unlikely. I would pull it apart and do the intake gaskets as they are more than likely on the way out. With what I have seen you do on this car, the gaskets will be less than a four hour job. I managed it in that long and I lose tools and get distracted a lot.

[RJolly87]

Agreed, under normal circumstances a head gasket failure is unheard of on these engines.

Do the LIM gaskets (you have a supercharger, so no UIM) and plan on replacing/servicing everything you pull off. No point in doing the job twice only to find out o rings or fuel injectors need to be serviced again.

Also, get the contaminated oil out of the engine, and fresh oil in it and circulated through while you still have an engine to worry about.