Some New Problems On My 93

[killerFatty]

I have recently been developing some new problems on my 93 LS. For one there is a strong ticking noise coming from the engine on acceleration. I believe a valve job is needed, and if so I would probably replace my valves and springs with the oversized ones from lextreme. Second my steering allignment is going bad again and I have a lot of understeer. I suspect I will need to replace the tie rod ends or some other suspension part because I had the alignment done and all was well about 2 weeks ago. Also my idle is about 400-450 on a warmed up engine at a stop light. Is there an easy way to just turn up the idle or do i need to mess with the IACV? Can the TPS affect idle speed? My speed is not bouncy like other discriptions I have heard about IACV problems, it's just really low. The final thing is lots of smoke on cold starts. It goes down after thurough warm up, but there is still more than usuall. I suspect there is a PS fluid leak into the block because it is all white smoke, and there is an odor. I think thats about it for now. Any solutions? Help is great. THX a bunch to all of you great people that make this forum what it is.

[TA in KC]

Did the engine just start making the "ticking" sound or has it been doing it for a while? It is normal to a certain extent as the fuel injectors and other engine components age.

I'd recommend just having the valve clearances adjusted by a competent mechanic and not replace the valves/springs with aftermarket ones.

I don't think the idle speed can just be adjusted. Replace spark plugs, clean throttle body, and get the rest of the engine fixed up and see if the problem corrects itself.

I think smoke on cold starts/during cold weather is normal for these cars. I have already bypassed the PS hoses leading to the intake manifold and mine still smokes almost as much as before. My neighbor's 1996 LS, friend's 94, and family member's 98 all do the same thing.

[killerFatty]

Did the engine just start making the "ticking" sound or has it been doing it for a while? It is normal to a certain extent as the fuel injectors and other engine components age.

I'd recommend just having the valve clearances adjusted by a competent mechanic and not replace the valves/springs with aftermarket ones.

I just noticed the Ticking about a week ago and it seems to be getting worse slowly. How much roughly does it cost to have the valve clearance checked/adjusted? I wont replace the valves with aftermarket ones.

I don't think the idle speed can just be adjusted. Replace spark plugs, clean throttle body, and get the rest of the engine fixed up and see if the problem corrects itself.

I just had a major tune up (ie. plugs, wires, fuel lines cleaned, coolent flush, trans flush) about 6-7 months ago and was running great for a while. Theses problems seem to have arised after my run in with the fire hydrant. Could some sort of sensor or something have been damaged on the passenger-side finder area? I will clean the TB as soon as I can, but I wont have my baby this weekend because it is getting the passanger door fixed. Do you think seafome would be a good idea? If the TPS is inncorectly adjusted what problems can that cause?

I think smoke on cold starts/during cold weather is normal for these cars. I have already bypassed the PS hoses leading to the intake manifold and mine still smokes almost as much as before. My neighbor's 1996 LS, friend's 94, and family member's 98 all do the same thing.

I can send a pretty white cloud, twice the height of my car, up the street some mornings. How could I bypass the PS hoses that go into the block? I would love to try and see if that helps. BTW did I see you parked at the Hen House on College and Quivera this afternoon or was that a diff. white LS?

[TA in KC]

I just noticed the Ticking about a week ago and it seems to be getting worse slowly. How much roughly does it cost to have the valve clearance checked/adjusted? I wont replace the valves with aftermarket ones.

I'd guess $400-500. I take my car to Exact Performance near Johnson Drive and Lamar in Mission. 913-384-4555

I just had a major tune up (ie. plugs, wires, fuel lines cleaned, coolent flush, trans flush) about 6-7 months ago and was running great for a while. Theses problems seem to have arised after my run in with the fire hydrant. Could some sort of sensor or something have been damaged on the passenger-side finder area? I will clean the TB as soon as I can, but I wont have my baby this weekend because it is getting the passanger door fixed. Do you think seafome would be a good idea? If the TPS is inncorectly adjusted what problems can that cause?

You could try Seafoam, just be careful how you use it. When not done correctly, the Seafoam procedure can cause some major problems! I'd recommend just adding it to the gas tank instead of through the brake booster/PCV valve. I have done it both ways and noticed no difference between either method.

I can send a pretty white cloud, twice the height of my car, up the street some mornings. How could I bypass the PS hoses that go into the block? I would love to try and see if that helps. BTW did I see you parked at the Hen House on College and Quivera this afternoon or was that a diff. white LS?

Bypassing the speed-sensitive steering is probably best left to a mechanic. It requires removal of the power steering pump which can be a very messy and frustrating task. Fred, one of the mechanics at Exact, is very experienced with this procedure. He is the one who did it to my car.

No, that must have been someone else you saw at Hen House. I usually go to a different store on 119th St.

[killerFatty]

I am planning on calling Exact auto when I get my car back, hopefully monday. I recently had a new problem arise. My PS fluid is leaking a SH*$ TON. I looked under the car today and saw that some of the PS lines are all wet and the "rubber washers" (I don't know what to call them) at the joints of the PS hoses are desinagrating. Also my PS fluid Is the color of oil. Some of the suspension linkages are all wet as well. The good news is that I didn't see any fluid on the alternator and all the leaks seem to originate under the motor, from the hoses. Is there an easy way to replace the hoses, or do I need a mechanic to do that?

[TA in KC]

I am planning on calling Exact auto when I get my car back, hopefully monday. I recently had a new problem arise. My PS fluid is leaking a SH*$ TON. I looked under the car today and saw that some of the PS lines are all wet and the "rubber washers" (I don't know what to call them) at the joints of the PS hoses are desinagrating. Also my PS fluid Is the color of oil. Some of the suspension linkages are all wet as well. The good news is that I didn't see any fluid on the alternator and all the leaks seem to originate under the motor, from the hoses. Is there an easy way to replace the hoses, or do I need a mechanic to do that?

It's very possible to do all the work yourself, but power steering issues are particularly messy and difficult to work with. I flushed the power steering fluid on my LS once and decided it was something I would prefer to have a mechanic do in the future.

At your car's age, the seals in the pump itself are likely worn out. I'd replace the power steering pump and return hose to start with. I think it is probably just coincidental that these issues occured right after an accident.

I had a small leak coming from the high pressure hose (near the oil pan) that went away after replacing the power steering pump.

If you want to save money, buy the parts yourself and take them to the mechanic to install.

Altogether, with a replacement PS pump, alternator, and PS return hose purchased by me, and installation performed by Exact, this repair ended up costing me around $650.

[killerFatty]

WOW thats cheap. Where did you get the parts. I checked Carson and saw that there was three PS return lines. Should I go ahead and replace them all? Is it safe to get a used PS pump? I don't think my alternator is being dripped on because there was no trace of fluid underneeth it. Is that even possible or should I just go ahead and replace that too. If I do replace the alternator, is the high output one from lextreme safe or should I just go oem?

[TA in KC]

WOW thats cheap. Where did you get the parts. I checked Carson and saw that there was three PS return lines. Should I go ahead and replace them all? Is it safe to get a used PS pump? I don't think my alternator is being dripped on because there was no trace of fluid underneeth it. Is that even possible or should I just go ahead and replace that too. If I do replace the alternator, is the high output one from lextreme safe or should I just go oem?

I purchased the PS pump, alternator, and bulk hose from O'Reilly Auto Parts at 103rd and State Line Rd. They were both remanufactured OEM parts, came with a lifetime warranty, and are still working fine. I would not go with a used power steering pump, but a used alternator would probably be OK. They are much easier to replace!

I personally like to stick with OEM Toyota parts. Unless you have some big subwoofers or something similar, a high-output alternator is probably unnecessary.

I had the small hoses going to the intake manifold removed and the connections capped off. The only hose I had replaced was the return hose that connects to the back of the power steering reservoir. The reservoir is reused when the pump is replaced.