ngauge

Hey everyone im after some advice about an issue that has raised it's ugly head in the last couple of weeks with my 08 XR6T. I took it in for a service with Ford (130,000km's) in Feb and was advised that the car has a timing cover leak, which from my research sounds like a common problem that can develop with these cars. The bloke at Ford quoted me $1600 to fix (that's for labour). However, fast forward to last week and I noticed a vibration in the steering and a noise coming from the engine bay. I checked the power steering reservoir and saw that it was almost empty so I replaced the fluid and the vibration and noise went away. I havnt noticed any engine oil leaks or the engine oil level dropping, but there is an obvious (and bad) leak in the power steering system somewhere. My question is: Could the two issue be related, in that a leak in the timing cover could cause the power steering fluid to leak like it is but not the engine oil, or is the Ford bloke trying one on me to the tune of $1600?

Yah that's what I thought, he seemed like a good bloke but my Spidey Sense started to tingle when he started talking about these kits and a tune as being necessary and the only way to go. Seemed a bit much for what I was talking about doing.

Thanks so much for the reply. I have been toying with the idea of doing the turbo oil line and the battery replacement myself (mostly thanks to the info I've read on this forum) but now that I have to get the exhaust done it seemed logical to do it all at the same time. But then the mechanics started talking about stage 1.5/2 kits which seem to include a lot of things I dont need (at least not yet). The price of those kits and the tune (which seems unnecessary at this point) is why I hesitated and came here seeking more info and advice. I believe the exhaust I would get installed (assuming I go for something other than the bare minimum of replacing the broken muffler) would be a cat-back system, so I assume that means im not touching the converter? (happy to be corrected on that though). Again, thanks so much for the adivce.

Hopefully this is the right place to post this as I am in need of some advice, as this is the first time I've thought about doing any aftermarket work on my car. Ill try to keep it short. I bought my 08 XR6 Turbo Falcon second hand roughly a year ago and it's been great up until now (sitting at 136k as of writing), I've been doing research on what basic or preventative mods I should look at doing (trans cooler, battery replacement/turbo side intake, oil line etc). However a week ago I noticed a noise with the stock exhaust and after taking it to an exhaust shop I was advised ill need a new rear muffler. Obviously, being the cultured gentleman that I am im thinking about taking the opportunity and installing something with a little bit more...excitement than just replacing the stock rear muffler (xforce for example). I was also hoping that I could knock over a couple of jobs at once and get the new exhaust installed while doing the trans cooler and the battery replacement. Here's where the problem comes: after talking to a few performance mechanics here in Melbourne I was advised by one that if I install a new exhaust, and/or do a battery replacement that ill also need to get the car tuned. Does that seem right? This mechanic was trying to sell me on a stage 1.5 or stage 2 kit (including a tune which he says I need) plus the exhaust which is a significant expense. It seems a bit excessive/unnecessary to me to have to get the car tuned after simply installing a new exhaust and/or doing a battery replacement? Should I even be thinking about just getting the basic stuff done, or is going with a stage 1.5 etc kit the only real option I should be considering? Perhaps the better question is: besides getting the exhaust done professionally, is the battery replacement and trans cooler installs so basic that taking it to a mechanic is overkill and I should be doing it myself? Any help or advice anyone can share would be greatly appreciated.