Tearing it down...

[phoenix arsenal]

So once i get my new(to me that is) gst home this week, i figure i need to take it apart and see whats going on inside. From the first few drives, it runs like a dream minus some minor suspension work (rotor turning). Anyway, I was just thinking i should start with the motor as an obvious choice. Anything specific I should look for/ automatically replace?

99 gs-t with no real mods
ngk spark wires
3" exhaust (not sure if its turbo back yet)

 

[Morris]

Wait, there's nothing wrong with it, but you want to tear it down and look for what's wrong??

Do you know when all the maintenance was last done? When I buy a car and I don't know, or are unsure that the previous owner told the truth, I normally replace the spark plugs and wires, air filter, oil, and tranny fluid. If it has higer miles on it and the timing belt hasn't been replaced or I don't know, I replace that just for ease of mind. But that's all just maintenance work, there is no reason to tear into the motor or anything unless you suspect a problem.

 

[phoenix arsenal]

My reasoning was to make sure i've got no issues with it before i start throwing upgrades at it. it is higher mileage, but i suppose that I could just do the basics to start off and go from there.

Only thing i did notice was a small bit of oil sitting on top of the valve cover where the spark wires lead into...previous owner said that its one of the bolt's o-rings is the culprit, but im always skeptical. also, the a/c had a hint of oil scent in it when i put it on the heat...

 

[Morris]

Before you throw mods on it, do all that. Including, which is the most important, the timing belt, change all the components too. Belt, tensioner, tensioner puller, I would even do the water pump while I was at it, but its your money. Your always going to end up breaking something when you start modding, then only way to keep that from happening it doing a fresh rebuild before you start modding. But that is an expensive way to do it, especially if you are just doing minor mods. But definitely do the maintenance before you do any sort of modding.

 

[LiquidX]

You don't just tear a motor apart for no reason. If there are oil leaks then you tear it down to the point to replace the specific seal or gasket unless you do them all.

Do a compression test and see how it looks.

The oil is mostvlikely just from a bad oil cap gasket and a faulty PCV.

 

[Morris]

Do a compression test and see how it looks.

Yes do this, that will tell you how healthy your engine is.

 

[phoenix arsenal]

cool. glad i consulted with you guys first. i'll take care of the compression test on wednesday. its the soonest i can do it.

and all belts had been changed already thankfully. im going to the store tomorrow for spark plugs, fluids and filters. cant put em in until the weekend though.