some random questions

[klb76]

I considered using a kit to repair the caliper, but decided it wouldn't really be worth the effort for only one caliper. Also the caliper is in pretty rough shape anyway with some serious surface rust. Luckily for me right now I do have a few extra bucks because I will be able to work over winter break, I just won't have alot of time so this time I am gonna take the easy way out and replace the caliper. That is interesting about the brake fluid, if nothing else when I am old and helping my son with his car I can impress him with my knowledge of brake fluid as a chrome cleaner. :L

klb

 

[GerryLP]

Well KLB,

You seem a fine young fellow, for you at least seem to like listening to stories from old timers like myself...:L...(My good friend Rare81 would probably call me a young woopingsnapper, but I am 41 )

I definitely plan to replace my front-left caliper when it leaks next time. Brakes are obviously a safety item, so is always best not to be cheap with ones safety. At the time that it leaked, it was a Sunday, and I needed the car for commuting to work the next day. Its amazing how still works fine though...

 

[klb76]

You seem a fine young fellow, for you at least seem to like listening to stories from old timers like myself...

Yeah I do my best... Now if I can just convince myself to start listening before I break something.

definitely plan to replace my front-left caliper when it leaks next time. Brakes are obviously a safety item, so is always best not to be cheap with ones safety. At the time that it leaked, it was a Sunday, and I needed the car for commuting to work the next day. Its amazing how still works fine though...

I have definitly heard of great results when using the kits on the calipers, as long as you take your time when doing it. With the safety thing my 19 year old mind says I can let the caliper go and just keep re-filling the master cylinder... luckily my dad gave me that "look" and let me know I was going to be replacing it. :L

klb

 

[cdhorn]

Hi:

How much oil is your engine using? If you get a puff of smoke, you are probably getting a little seepage down the valve stem when you shut the engine down. You can add seals to sstop this, but you lose very little oil this way. It's primarily a cosmetic thing when you start it. (Doesn't really impress the friends too much) If you are using more than a quart to 500 to 1000 miles, it's probably going by the pistons. As long as you keep the crankcase above a quart low and don't have trouble fowling plugs. you're probably not hurting anything. If you're a quart to 1500 or better, I wouldn't worry about it. I once owned a GTO that never got better than a quart to 1500 and I bought it new. It started out at about 1 qt. per 750 miles. Also, do you change brands of oil? That is a practice that can sometimes cause an engine to use more oil at first. I would recommend a good petoleum based oil and stick to it. I'm not a fan of paraffin based oils, but they may be O.K. in warmer climates. I'm more comfortable if my engin uses some oil because I know the cylinder walls are getting lubricated. What you really need to be concerned about, is if the useage dramatically changes.

Good Luck

Clark