Author Topic: Vehicle question (Read 10740 times)

Rosscoe · « **on:** March 26, 2013, 04:44:52 PM »

Has anyone ever worked on a Japanese V6 that is not transversely mounted and looks anything like my 3.5 liter?
With the "missing" issue I had yesterday, the first thing I looked at were the plug wires and although I apparently found the problem, a wire worked its way loose from the plug, I'd like to change plugs and wires on this thing and it looks like I'd have to remove then entire top fuel injection assembly! Many cables, wires, hoses.
I've worked on a V6 Mazda I had but could at least access the plugs. That and this one have wire boots that are about 5" long and go down into what I can best describe as the valve covers. I believe its a double overhead cam motor.
The end of the boot has a rubber piece about 1/2" long then it turns to hard plastic so I could not squeeze the crimp to grab the plug tighter. At the same time, there is a rubber plug that is supposed to pop into the valve cover. I had a couple that were popped up and struggled to get them to seat and stay without backing themselves back out of the cover. Who designs this stuff? Sadists? Dumb question. I already know.

thedeuceman · « **Reply #1 on:** March 26, 2013, 05:33:58 PM »

That seems kinda silly...
Guess that's why they make plugs that last 100k.
Did u " google" it to see if there is some kind of shortcut

Rosscoe · « **Reply #2 on:** March 26, 2013, 06:42:21 PM »

I am doing that now. So far I've read you have to totally remove the intake manifold to do plugs or wires.

Rosscoe · « **Reply #3 on:** March 26, 2013, 06:49:48 PM »

Well this really sucks.

CVX Fever · « **Reply #4 on:** March 26, 2013, 07:07:45 PM »

Must be that double OHC engine Ross. The 3.0 V6 in my '93 Toyota PU was pretty easy to change plugs. But that was just a single OHC engine. Incidentally when I sold it at 11 years old w/197K it still had the original plug wires.

So did you fix the miss?

Rosscoe · « **Reply #5 on:** March 26, 2013, 07:47:09 PM »

Yep double overhead cam 3.5 liter. 132K miles.
I did find a loose wire and luckily it was one of 3 I could actually see! I'd push the boot down and it would squeeze its way back up. I had to "feel" for it to make sure it was on the plug and not next to it, if that is possible, then I took a scrap piece of wood and pushed down on it from the top.
I am going to have to break down and just tear into it. If I'm doing the plugs, I'm doing the wires and vise versa, since its going to be such a pain.
Next I'll want to find out if this has a timing chain or belt.

CVX Fever · « **Reply #6 on:** March 26, 2013, 08:26:35 PM »

Ross not to add more to your plate but I would also check whether or not if the belt or chain breaks if the pistons can whack the valves and basically ruin the motor. That's a nice truck with a lot of life left in it.

Rosscoe · « **Reply #7 on:** March 26, 2013, 08:45:40 PM »

Good idea Kip. It appears it has a belt and I'm going to see if removing the plenum and all the associated parts to change plugs help at all with the belt or if its totally separate. All winter this has been sitting in the shop and not driven...but of course I was working on a boat!
My back is getting sore just thinking about leaning under the hood for hours.

Jason · « **Reply #8 on:** March 26, 2013, 10:08:29 PM »

Ross,

You should only need to remove the upper intake plenum to get to the spark plugs. That is easy. Most engine now days is a major surgery to get to the spark plugs. Some you even need to un bolt motor mounts and tilt the engine to get to them!

Your Montero is a SOHC engine. It is also an interference engine so if your belt goes so do your valves! Looks like Mitsu recommends you do the timing belt every 60K. Probably should do it unless there is a sticker someone placed near the timing belt cover stating it was done around 120K. I can get you full step by step instructions if you want to tackle it. Also, do your idler and tensioner pulley and water pump while you are in there.

fireman24mn · « **Reply #9 on:** March 26, 2013, 10:30:56 PM »

Ross if you would like I have a mechanic that is very reasonable for price. He has fixed my dads trunck and some of my cars. My dad said he feels like he is cheating him when he pays for the bill because he is so cheap. Everything he has done for me and my dad has been great and no problems. Let me know if you want his number.

Rosscoe · « **Reply #10 on:** March 27, 2013, 01:43:41 PM »

Quote from: 74GlasCarlSS on March 26, 2013, 10:08:29 PM

Ross,

You should only need to remove the upper intake plenum to get to the spark plugs. That is easy. Most engine now days is a major surgery to get to the spark plugs. Some you even need to un bolt motor mounts and tilt the engine to get to them!

Your Montero is a SOHC engine. It is also an interference engine so if your belt goes so do your valves! Looks like Mitsu recommends you do the timing belt every 60K. Probably should do it unless there is a sticker someone placed near the timing belt cover stating it was done around 120K. I can get you full step by step instructions if you want to tackle it. Also, do your idler and tensioner pulley and water pump while you are in there.

You're correct. I could see only SOHC engines listed but why does it show two cam sprockets?
I did find a diagram or two but the ones you have are better. If you have more I'll take it. I do think the timing belt should be done considering I do not know when it was changed last. I watched a Youtube vid this morning and it was weak! Planes flying over, music blaring and you couldnt hear what the guy was saying.

do your idler and tensioner pulley

Replace the pulleys?

Rosscoe · « **Reply #11 on:** March 27, 2013, 01:44:50 PM »

Quote from: fireman24mn on March 26, 2013, 10:30:56 PM

Ross if you would like I have a mechanic that is very reasonable for price. He has fixed my dads trunck and some of my cars. My dad said he feels like he is cheating him when he pays for the bill because he is so cheap. Everything he has done for me and my dad has been great and no problems. Let me know if you want his number.

Sure, why not at least talk with him. None of this is cheap though and remember, I am not working.

Rosscoe · « **Reply #12 on:** March 27, 2013, 01:47:18 PM »

I thought I had at least temporarily fixed this issue after finding a plug wire that seemed to be loose. I got 7 miles from home today and it started again all the way to and back from picking up my trailer. I am going to be doing the plugs and wires soon but I am now not sure that is all there is to it.

Jason · « **Reply #13 on:** March 27, 2013, 04:30:32 PM »

It has two sprockets. One for each head which is where SOHC (Single Over Head Cam) comes from. if your's was a Dual it would have 4 cams.

I'll get you the instructions for the timing belt. I guess I wouldn't do it though till you get it running right though. If I were you, the first thing I would do is get it scanned to see if anything pops up.

Rosscoe · « **Reply #14 on:** March 28, 2013, 08:49:11 AM »

Did I read somewhere that some auto parts places will do a scan for you?

I'm starting to gather parts. I wont likely start on this until next weekend, not that it matters to me if its a weekend or not but Joni says she'll help if I want. I also ordered a dvd that is supposed to be a manual. I could not find a hard copy repair manual anywhere. Ebay, Clymers own site etc.

dorelse · « **Reply #15 on:** March 28, 2013, 09:04:55 AM »

Quote from: Rosscoe on March 28, 2013, 08:49:11 AM

Did I read somewhere that some auto parts places will do a scan for you?

I know Autozone does it for free Ross, I'm sure others do so as well.

Rosscoe · « **Reply #16 on:** March 28, 2013, 09:14:06 AM »

Maybe I'll do that first. I am sure it will come back "misfire" Duh.

thedeuceman · « **Reply #17 on:** March 28, 2013, 10:12:27 AM »

I have been using alldatadiy.com
It's like 14 or 19 dollars a year per vehicle

Jerry · « **Reply #18 on:** March 28, 2013, 11:28:26 AM »

you can get it free at the library.

Jason · « **Reply #19 on:** March 28, 2013, 12:44:11 PM »

Even though I have had more problems with Autozone than any other auto parts store and never by parts there anymore, they do have a nice website with FREE repair info. I noticed that they have the repair instructions for your timing belt on there Ross. you need to create a simple account.

https://www.autozone.com/autozone/myzone/profile/login.jsp