I'm losing faith

[putertopia]

In my bonnevilles.

My red bonneville has proven to be quite a feat to fix. I wouldn't mind it if once I fixed one issue, another wouldn't pop up. Do the intake gaskets, and oil pan gasket develops a sudden leak along with valve cover gaskets. Inflate tires to proper pressure, and passenger tire is flat next morning. Not to mention it still hesitates - the whole reason I did the intake mani and fuel lines. That's ok though - I bought it as a project car and that's what it is.

Here's where I'm disappointed, and I don't know whether to be in myself or the car. My Green car. 107K mi, I do every single maintenance item that it needs (sythetic oil since 82kmi, any/all noises are addressed and fixed, routine maintenace such as o2 and plugs, keep detailed). Intake mani gaskets were done around 100k mi. I always kept a close eye on the coolant and oil before and after gasket change and it was always fine. Oil always lost about a quart by the time it was time to change the oil (typically 8k miles w/ mobil 1 synthetic). Oil was always pretty dirty, but I wasn't worried.

Well, I have about 1,500 miles (or two months) of driving on the Mobil1 5w-30 oil I have now. As I filled my gas tank today from empty for $28, I checked the fluids. The oil was barely on the dip stick, there was no coolant in the reservoir, and the trans dip stick smells like ass and is pretty dark for having around 8k miles on it. The oil was jet black and smelled odd which makes me think I'm burning it, but I've NEVER seen smoke. Once in a while when I hop on it, it smells kinda funny in the cabin (was thinking Cat) and a friend has mentioned a puff of black smoke, but I figured that was PCM adjusting fuel. Sometimes when I hop on it, it feels like the tires are going to break loose on dry pavement (and they do on smooth tarmac), other times it feels like my friend's 3100 (I think?) 02 Grand Prix. Exhaust tips get covered in soot every 300 miles, yet I can yield 34 MPG on the highway without effort. Coolant is NOT in the oil, so perhaps I'm burning it too. Could I have incorrectly torqued gaskets? Can I used blue threadlocker if I decide to fix it?

Did I mention you can't WOT through 1-2 shift? It's delayed, no matter how modulator is set or whether trans tune is added, and inbetween shifts it feels like someone slams on the brakes real quick, but warranty won't do a *dang* thing about it until it busts. Takes about a full second to shift between reverse and drive. I would bust it on purpose if it were easy to do without suspicion such as broken motor mounts, axles, etc. This is my third transmission (not including the one they installed with the incorrect FDR).

I'm sorry... I'm done ranting and move this topic if need be. I just don't understand why my car is deteriorating so quickly for the maintenance I put into it. I don't drive it hard at all. Yes, I WOT from time to time, but I rarely let the shifts hit 6k and I ease a tiny bit on the gas during the shift. It's just backing my desire to trade both cars in for a VR6 powered VW. Then I get to face wiring problems... wish Hondas were cheaper.

[Mike Sessei]

Pfft!
You're worried about wiring issues?
Then I've got a sick, already tuned Corrado with a VR6 for YOU!
Wiring shmiring!
Everything electrical works just as it should.

It's the timing chain you have to watch out for with the VR6.
Most folks probably cannot do it themselves - especially without an engine hoist. That includes shops. Gotta remove the head. It's great fun!
..did I mention what it's like working in an engine bay with one of them shoehorned in?

Best of luck with your Bonnie.

[putertopia]

How long do those timing chains last? I would like a 1.8T to mod and get MPGz but I'm scared of the timing belts, I just swapped motors in a TT for a friend who had 75k mi on his 180 FWD model. Of course, it's not stock turbo or boost controller, but he wasn't pushing 20 lbs cruising down the highway at 70 MPH when his car just kind of came to a grinding (literally) halt lol. I figured the chains would take some time to stretch, plus those motors sound awesome.

[Mike Sessei]

You're right, the VR6, even with a little exhaust work (arguably even in stock form) sounds great.
Anything more should be in another place, like the lounge - where I'd be more than happy to chat about it.
Cheers!

[1337ssei]

those 1.8ts feel pretty slow stock...now the vr6 is a different story

[PRD2BDF]

While I didn't have the same issues as you did, I can sympathize with you. It's frustrating.

On my old Bonneville, I dealt with chronic brake issues, the rears wouldn't do their job and the fronts always wore prematurely no matter what I did and then the motor killed itself for no reason.

I solved the issues though..then sold it for a Saab.

[LeSabre in Buffalo]

Ouch. I feel your pain. Been there, done that, still doing it to a lesser extent.

May I suggest Auto-RX for the engine and transmission?

[putertopia]

1.8Ts are slow stock in the larger vehicles than the TT, but once you start messing with boost controllers and what not, you have problems keeping the wheels from spinning through first and second.

[1337ssei]

it was in a TT with a 6 speed
just wasn't my cup of tea I guess