Hello!

[pyemaster]

Hi all,

Have been lurking for a little while but thought it time to introduce myself, my name is Owen and I've just picked up a 94 SSR-X Ltd, which has been kept in very good shape by its former owner, Graham. (Who may or may not already be on the forum!)

I've been impressed by the amount of useful information on here, and the helpful responses by everyone. I'll try and search for anything specific, but following a service next week (and EGR removal), I then aim to pick up:

- Snorkel (apparently Safari are the ones to get, but there are cheaper alternatives? One of the websites I've seen mentioned appears to no longer exist, but I wonder if there is now a go-to alternative cheaper brand? I'm mainly interested in getting clean air in, as opposed to crossing rivers, so I'm happy with a cheaper (potentially less waterproof) one...

- Roof rack (is anyone on here looking to sell theirs? Without the roof gutters it seems they need to be somewhat of a custom design?)

- 2" body lift (In time I'll go for the suspension lift too, but for now I'll settle with just the body. Is this the sort of thing any half-handy garage could do, or is it something I should take to a specialist 4x4 garage?

From what I've seen I'll be looking at a few hundred quid respectively for the purchase and fitting of the snorkel (and again for the lift kit?) and maybe circa a hundred for the roof rack - am I wide of the mark here?

Sorry for the questions folks, the above comes on the back of searching, but most of the threads I've seen are a few years old, so not sure if this has changed at all.

Thanks
Owen

[woodwarm]

Hello good morning & welcome Owen.

With only basic mechanical skills & tool kit, all servicing, modifications best tackled by the owner.
Get down & dirty with the Surf.
Snorkel not required for clean air....but looks cool.

Couple of members make roof racks. Place your ad in wanted section.

Difficult to find garages, 4x4 specialist who give value for money.

Only recommendation would be Tony N in Bassingstoke

ps.
Moving to Thatcham in July & we hope to start a monthly club meet
@ The Kings Head.

Robert

[budweiser]

Hi all,

Have been lurking for a little while but thought it time to introduce myself, my name is Owen and I've just picked up a 94 SSR-X Ltd, which has been kept in very good shape by its former owner, Graham. (Who may or may not already be on the forum!)

I've been impressed by the amount of useful information on here, and the helpful responses by everyone. I'll try and search for anything specific, but following a service next week (and EGR removal), I then aim to pick up:

- Snorkel (apparently Safari are the ones to get, but there are cheaper alternatives? One of the websites I've seen mentioned appears to no longer exist, but I wonder if there is now a go-to alternative cheaper brand? I'm mainly interested in getting clean air in, as opposed to crossing rivers, so I'm happy with a cheaper (potentially less waterproof) one... http://www.snorkels.es/

- Roof rack (is anyone on here looking to sell theirs? Without the roof gutters it seems they need to be somewhat of a custom design?)

- 2" body lift (In time I'll go for the suspension lift too, but for now I'll settle with just the body. Is this the sort of thing any half-handy garage could do, or is it something I should take to a specialist 4x4 garage? or look in roughtrax, orhttp://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/111258814365?_trksid=p2055119. m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3A MEBIDX%3AIT

From what I've seen I'll be looking at a few hundred quid respectively for the purchase and fitting of the snorkel (and again for the lift kit?) and maybe circa a hundred for the roof rack - am I wide of the mark here? i got one from here, the forum and the other on the net, keep on looking, they do show up every often

Sorry for the questions folks, the above comes on the back of searching, but most of the threads I've seen are a few years old, so not sure if this has changed at all.

Thanks
Owen

welcome, any pics? 2.4 or 3l?

[MadScott]

Howdy.

[pyemaster]

Update, oh dear.

Had the garage remove my EGR and change my coolant today, and after popping in some injector cleaner took it for a run down the dual carriageway. After about five minutes it started overheating and showing a lot of white smoke. Not down on power but I fear the worst

Not sure if it is related to the EGR or coolant change, but it happened within an hour of collecting it.

Help guys? I think I'm going to need major work now.

Owen

[pyemaster]

Oh and it's the 3ltr.

Owen

[yoshie]

Lots of white smoke and overheating, probably requires a new head.

[MadScott]

Oh noes not again...

I wonder, did the garage that changed the coolant bleed the system properly...

[woodwarm]

So you purchased a 3 litre ssrx from Graham, (Who may or may not already be on the forum!).

You then Had the garage remove the EGR and change the coolant, and some injector cleaner.

You've not complained about the seller, or thought about returning the vehicle & asking for a refund, after all it had been kept in very good shape by its former owner.
Neither have you asked about returning to the "garage" " but it happened within an hour of collecting it. "

Your not winding us up, are you Mr Owen Pye ?

[pyemaster]

With respect, I've no idea what you're getting at. Thanks for the support.

It's back down with the garage this morning, mechanic said he replaced and bled the coolant just as he should have (and he's done work on previous cars I've had including coolant changes with no problem). He said he doesn't think the EGR removal would have affected its temperature, and also doesn't see how running some injector cleaner on a blat would have made any difference either.

I've texted the old owner this morning, but I can't see how it's his fault, it made the 300 mile journey back from his last weekend with no heating issues whatsoever.

Do you think I could have been lucky and it's just a head gasket? Or on these are the heads always needing replacement?

Thanks for you're help everyone, I'm totally gutted.

Owen

[pyemaster]

It probably limped about 15 miles after the head gasket went, does anyone know the likelihood of further problems with the turbo or other seals?

I thought it was the 2.4 which were renowned for thisand the 3s were okay?

Owen

[oneidadan]

Unfortunately I think the 3l head just lasts a bit longer than the 2.4. Could be the coolant flush cleared gunk out of the crack in the head.
Good luck with it and hope it's something else, new heads for these aren't cheap.

[shokenore]

Another three litre kettle.

I think the only difference between the mighty 2.4 and the now troublesome 3.0 is age.
Inasmuch as the 2.4s are either tin cans or have had the head done or are indeed gobbling down lots of lovely petrol 1uzfe style.
Now it would appear that the relatively younger 3.0 are at "that age".
Even so still not bad for a motor that has probably done enough mileage to circle the earth half a dozen times.

Sorry for your loss

[pyemaster]

Thanks fellas. It's done 110,000 miles and the last cambelt change was at 50,000 so probably about time to get that done anyway. I thought the 2.4 had a design flaw in the head, whereas the 3 had been redesigned?

Is it likely I've damaged the turbo or anything else other than the gasket and possibly the head?

Owen

[pyemaster]

Also does anyone have an opinion of Steel Seal?

Thinking it could be worth a shot...

Owen