1996 Q45 Oil Leak

[hansQ45]

I have a 1996 Q45 with about 133,000 miles on it. I've owned it for a few months and really like the car. When I bought it the car had 128,000 miles.

I just did my second oil change on the car since I've had it. I've used Valvoline synthetic oil both times. I'm using a Mobil 1 oil filter.

Shortly after my oil change I smelled that burning oil smell. I thought it was oil burning off (drips from oil change) or I didn't thighten the oil filter enough. I checked and the filter was tight. I driven it about 100 miles since the oil change.

I have a small weeping oil leak on the righthand (drivers) side of the the motor. It is leaking on the exhaust manifold cover. It's on the third pipe cover back from the front of the engine. I can't see it dripping. I can see the residue on the stainless exhaust manifold cover and there is a small amount of oil smoke when the motor is at operating temperature or I shut the car off.

I know synthetic is slicker oil and is more prone to find a leak. Should I switch to conventional oil?

Is it the valve cover gaskets leaking? If so are they hard to change?

Are oil stop leak products "snake oil" stuff? Trash?

Any advice would be appreciated!

Happy Holidays!

[elwesso]

you definitely do need to change your valve cover gaskets... If you havent done the spark plugs yet.. now is the perfect time...

I would recommend doing both.. I could probably do both in day... The drivers side is tricky because the EGR pipe gets in the way...

I think you could do it yourself.. its a PITA kinda, but its doable....

[hansQ45]

Wes, thanks for the info.

Do you think I should order the valve cover gaskets from Joe in Arizona? And the NGK Lazer Platinum plugs from you (Q45.org)? Do I need any additional parts?

The previous owner told me he had an expensive "tune up" done at about 100,000. He told me he had the spark plugs changed. I don't know if he went with the NGK Lazer Platinum plugs you all highly recommend on Q45.org and NICO.

Do you just remove the covers with the allen head bolts and the spark plugs are under the cover? Isn't there a coil for each plug?

Anything to really be careful of in doing this job? Valve cover gaskets too?

I saw the Great Hoosier state is pretty rough right now, weather wise.

[Q45tech]

Normal ever 100-150,000 mile valve cover gasket replacement. Watch out for under plenum hose [20 or so] and knock sensor replacement soon. [before 200k]

Just part of the $1200-$1700-$2,000 midlife engine R&R.

How are the shocks and suspension rubber, motor mounts, transmission mounts, exhaust hangers........after all things are near 10 years old.

Get the transmission flushed ASAP same with the oil in AC system and a new receiver dryer..............you will need to spend $5,000 [retail dealer prices][over the next few years] to get another 100,000 miles plus of course brakes, tires, fluids etc. but you only paid $5-6,500 right [with128k].

Quite a car the Q for $10-12k as rehabed.

[elwesso]

Wes, thanks for the info.

Do you think I should order the valve cover gaskets from Joe in Arizona? And the NGK Lazer Platinum plugs from you (Q45.org)? Do I need any additional parts?

The previous owner told me he had an expensive "tune up" done at about 100,000. He told me he had the spark plugs changed. I don't know if he went with the NGK Lazer Platinum plugs you all highly recommend on Q45.org and NICO.

Do you just remove the covers with the allen head bolts and the spark plugs are under the cover? Isn't there a coil for each plug?

Anything to really be careful of in doing this job? Valve cover gaskets too?

I saw the Great Hoosier state is pretty rough right now, weather wise.

I dont want to sound like im trying to sell you stuff, but I might go ahead and get them.. If you dont need them (IE you have NGKs in there now) then youll have them for 30k... You sound like you put quite a few miles on the car, so you can hang on to them for about a year and a half and replace, or replace them now and be set of 60k.. if you have el crap O ones in there

Youll want to get some RTV and RTV the half moons. I didnt do it on my last one but you probably want to... Just get some carb cleaner and clean out the valve covers really good, AND take pictures of the heads when you take off the covers...

[hansQ45]

After reading much on the Q45 on the NICO forums and Q45.org I have been performing some suggested maintainance on the Q.

I have replaced:

tokico blue shocks and struts (w/ rubber spring mounts)the transmission fluid and filtertwo oil changes with synthetic oilinstalled a factory CD changerchanged the 90W gear lube in the differentialnew tireswiper bladesfactory floor matsnew brake pads and rotorsand a few other things I've probably forgotten

I've taken the car on a few trips, 11-12 hours one way to Indiana and back to Maryland, 5 hours to New York City and a few shorter trips. It's reliable comfortable and runs great. I enjoy it very much.

I'm anticipating changing the pleneum hoses and knock sensors per everything I've read.

Changing that oil filter is a pain in the as*! I wish they would have made it easier to get to for a quick oil change.

I paid around $4000 (had 128,000 miles) for the car from the original owner. It was his wife's car.

Thanks!

[hansQ45]

I have tried to attach a "jpeg" of my Q45. I'm not sure if it worked!

It's black with black leather interior, factory turbine wheels.

[hansQ45]

Here's another pic of the Q45.

This is the view of my car that the Maryland State Trooper saw when he was writing me up a ticket for 81 MPH in a 65 MPH zone on I-70 outside of Frederick, MD!

[elwesso]

Very nice pictures Hans.....!

Looks really good, your taking good care of her!

[squeefoo]

Nice looking car! I wish my '90 had black guts and a grill

I put on a remote oil filter assy.

I didn't see brake fluid mentioned in your list, very important. Just in case your looking for something to do ??

[hansQ45]

Thanks for the info. The car looks like it has a new master cylinder but I will plan on changing/flushing the brake fluid. Excellent suggestion.

How hard was it to put on a remote location oil filter? It's really hard to reach the oil filter even from the underneath side of the car.

[squeefoo]

I took off the airbox, and moved the Evap canister back, (I forget how much) and screwed the baseplate w/spacer to the frame rail. I used very expensive hose from a hydraulic place, and double clamped it. It also takes a much taller filter now, 7" tall but same dia. . Much easier than the belly pan removal even though I fixed all the bolts and holes.

[elwesso]

Id be tempted to do that, but Ill continue to take my money and have the grease monkeys do it... For the money its not a big deal... Next time Im gonna somehow rig it so ill know if they took off the airbox...

[maxnix]

Very nice black. Saw one when I was at the dealer last, but it was not maintained properly though owned by older ex-hippies.