freeplay on ea steering rack

11-03-2005, 06:36 PM

Hi guys

My first post here:

I have just bought my first car a 1991 EA-S wagon with 208,000 on the clock, before i bought it i got a RACV check which stated:

1) excessive freeplay on the drivers side steering rack.

2) oil leak from the timing cover area.

3) temperature gauge was reading too low.

4) Radiator cap seal damaged

Has anyone got any advise how much this should cost to fix up and if it would be possible to do any of the work my self?

I have just done my first oil and filter change using the instructions off this site, so am no expert but happy to give it a go myself if the fixes are fairly simple.

any help would be greatly apreciated

many thanks in advance

Andy

LUXO_8 · 11-03-2005, 06:47 PM

the rack is probably buggered, you can get reconditioned units, or take your chances with a seccond handy from a wreckers.

change the thermostat, coolant, and cap - chances are they all havent been changed in a while
get yourself the max ellery service manual, its invaluable for doing home repairs, only around 40 bucks...... i got mine from repco, but im sure you can get it at most places.... except autobarn i noticed!

cArSiK · 11-03-2005, 06:56 PM

For a 91 EA with those FEW problems , it sounds like it must have been a well looked after car...

James

FRDXR6 · 12-03-2005, 11:50 AM

^^^ Thats what i was thinking, the RACV checks usually pick up most things and if its thats all thats wrong with it for a car thats 14yr old its a good buy!

Barry_v · 12-03-2005, 04:04 PM

degrease the front of the engine and monitor the oil leak. it might not be that bad, just nobody has cleaned the engine in a while. I'd advise you to spend the money on any cooling system issues, you dont want to be doing a head gasket. if at all suspect, replace the radiator with a new one. they can be had for under $200 new. the thermostat is a couple of bolts and hose clamps, you can easily do that yourself.

SileNceR · 12-03-2005, 09:00 PM

just don't re-tighten the top housing bolts too tight... learnt that one the hard way...

15-03-2005, 05:26 PM

O.K

Thanks guys,

I got a Max Ellery manual and a can of degreaser from Repco on sunday and will get the replacement thermostat this saturday. will a torque wrench stop me over tightening the top housing bolts?

How much should a new steering rack cost?

the things I listed are just those that need to be done immediately and that i have enough money left over from buying the beast.

the report also stated:

all belts were aging /perishing (well 14 years old what do you expect?)

Clutch has freeplay and clutch slip induced,

shock absorbers rear noisy,

suspension bushes aged/perished

and finally battery terminals corroded.

so it will still need some work done on it before we attempt the Nullabor.

LUXO_8 · 15-03-2005, 06:00 PM

it still sounds like one fo the better Ea's out there with all of the things you mentioned! haha

seriously though, if ya do a few of those things each week you'll get them all done in no time...
once they are done, it will be a good car, that should be trouble free...

SileNceR · 16-03-2005, 07:55 PM

I should get one of these checks so I can make a list of things to fix....

they'd probably have to go into overtime just writing it out... lol

11-04-2005, 02:57 PM

well the great buy seems not so great now i need a new head gasket.

it seems the problems i have been having starting the last 2 weeks were because the cylinders were filling up with water, i had to re fill the coolant 3 times from friday to today (monday) as the warning light was lighting up.

took it into the mechanic today and there was a load of white scum top of the oil and oil filler cap, ties in with the white smoke i saw lastnight coming out my exhast in the rear view mirror.

the thing is the temperature gauge hasnt ever got past the 'r' of the NORMAL, so was it just old age being a 91 ea -s pack with 210000 on the clock. should the racv test have picked the head gasket being on the way out or can it just go without warning?

so far i have worked out that i should ask for a steel au gasket any other advice. i dont think i am up to a whole engine strip down just yet as i have only just managed changing the oil/oil filter, coolant and thermostat so far.

would the oil leak from the timing cover have any thing to do with the head gasket going?

thanks for any advice

andy

ilsautomotive · 11-04-2005, 05:06 PM

Ah the joys... the failure to heat up is a result of the thermostat being stuck open. It will also cause crap fuel consumption and do other damage over time. Remember that the genuine Ford item is barely over $20 and the only one known to do the job properly. It seems the seller must have known the gasket was about to go and ideally the RACV should have picked it up, there is usually a degree of warning.

The most important thing is ensuring the head is shaved so it is perfectly square. The failure to do this from the factory is one of the main reasons why they blow at all. The AU gasket is a good idea, as well as checking over the radiator etc. Keep us posted.

SileNceR · 11-04-2005, 08:32 PM

i got a thermostat for ford and it constantly fluctuated to the point it actually killed my headgasket...

funnily enough the next one i got, also from ford, which i got with my new headgasket, has been awesome...