[mimi305miami]

1st of all...if i didnt post this in the right place or in the right way im sorry im still trying to figure this all out....feel free to correct me

Ok...lets c how i can describe everything that is happening

i have a 97 mustang 3.8l v6

1. car squeaks from time to time ... front shocks need to be replaced but not sure if that's what's causing the squeaking

2. when decelerating or at a complete stop the car will vibrate....was told this is caused by a bad o2 sensor (bank1 sensor1) and some cable behind the engine that has something to do with the o2 sensor that needs replacing cause it's torn

3. SUPPOSEDLY i have an oil leak and i need to replace the valve covers

i don't know how much truth these things i've been told by several mechanics hold BUT 1 mechanic tells me 1 thing and another tells me another. im sort of just looking for the truth lol

i know for sure my shocks and the o2 sensor and cable need replacing....all other issues im totally lost.....

please help...thanks

[FordmanT]

1. Squeaks is not a good enough definition sorry, but if you've been told that you need shocks then that is a good place to start! Technically speaking you should replace them every 60k or so......
2. The vibration sounds like either it's being caused by a misfire or to high an idle, could be an O2 sensor, which comes with the new 'cable' or harness that they are likely referring to.
3. Oil leak, do you notice a loss of oil? Or a spot of oil under your car? Or a burning smell while driving or after? If no to all of these then you probably don't need to address this yet, up to you. You shouldn't need new valve covers, just valve cover gaskets.

Hope this helps

[Ruffellbaker]

Do you have a check engine light on? If so get your codes retrieved and post the codes up here.

[MeMz]

Does the vibration happen when your hitting the breaks and off the brakes? If your leaking oil, than be sure to make sure your oil filter is tight, drain cap is tight, and just double check everything in your engine bay. Make sure your not leaking oil from around any spark plugs either

[1slowv6]

+1 on the burning smell... if its coming out of your valve covers (or spark plugs?) then it would hit the manifold and smell like SHeeTT but then again mechanics like to quote one thing when they know its another so they can get you in their shop thus giving them the upper hand.

take some pics of the leak. in my case i think ive narrowed my oil leak to the rear main seal thanks to the guys on MM. if the leak is coming from what looks like where the engine meets up with the tranny its probably a cracked or worn rear main seal...

as for the vibrations cant help ya there

[mcqueen]

Originally Posted by FordmanT 1. Squeaks is not a good enough definition sorry, but if you've been told that you need shocks then that is a good place to start! Technically speaking you should replace them every 60k or so...... 2. The vibration sounds like either it's being caused by a misfire or to high an idle, could be an O2 sensor, which comes with the new 'cable' or harness that they are likely referring to. 3. Oil leak, do you notice a loss of oil? Or a spot of oil under your car? Or a burning smell while driving or after? If no to all of these then you probably don't need to address this yet, up to you. You shouldn't need new valve covers, just valve cover gaskets. Hope this helps

I agree with all of this. For #2, vibrations can also be caused by a low idle. If the idle drops low enough the whole car will shake.

[FordmanT]

Originally Posted by mcqueen I agree with all of this. For #2, vibrations can also be caused by a low idle. If the idle drops low enough the whole car will shake.

Good point, forget to mention the simple things sometimes that just come with experience