Dodging Bullets
February 20th, 2011 . by CaryThe Trusty Steed is not dead, it will rise again to continue it’s mission. My mechanic is sure a hose replacement (to keep hot water from escaping and spraying electrical things, like spark plugs and a tune up will restore the vim and vigor to the QX4.
The 1998 QX4 has a 3.3 liter offset V-6 motor. The passenger side plugs are easily accessible. The driver’s side plugs are located along the top of the motor, intertwined in the intake manifold, except the rearmost plug, which is located on the back of the block. Right next to the second heater bypass hose. The one that’s been leaking.
To replace the hose (or the spark plug) the intake manifold must be removed and replaced, a job that would cost thousands in a dealership. My mechanic is a blessing to me, especially now that I don’t have time to do this kind of work myself, which is why I hadn’t started in on the project before it became an issue.
In the meantime, I am driving what can only be considered a pinnacle of manliness (top row, second from right).
Chat ya later…
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My neighbor has one like the top row second from the left.
The old Herbie! That’s one classic car, man.
I just went back and looked, and realized that on different computers, the second from the right would be a different VW … so to clarify, the one I rented is the green one. Having driven bugs before, imagine my surprise to find an engine in the bonnet and a spare tire in the engine compartment …
They don’t build ’em to work on ’em. “Back in the day” we used to be able to do most of the stuff it took to keep ’em on the road ourselves. Now it takes a computer to figure out what’s wrong, and if you don’t have certain special tools you are just out of luck.
My folks had a Ford V-6 that had one “impossible” plug. They drove it over 150,000 miles and changed five of ’em twice.
Funny how that works out, eh GB? If I had more time on my hands I would have done the repair myself, since it wasn’t going to require a funny tool or anything like that, I could have done it. Employment being what it is, though, I had to go the mechanic route. Luckily, he’s a close friend and he is working for a VERY reasonable rate.