Hello. I just picked up my "new to me" '02 SSEi. 150k km and fairly clean for the age.

There are a few things I need to do.

1) It needs a buff and detail BADLY. The paint is good, overall and I think will really come to life with a buff & polish.

* * * the next 2 things I need your guys' help with * * *

2) The snap in strips at each window on the outside are badly worn - they are no longer gloss black. I saw a few links to fixes (painting vs. not painting) but I get a redirect error - are those threads not available?

3) If I really get on it, I get a smoking oil smell from the very front of the engine - right at the manifold. I'm thinking that I may need to do a valve cover gasket replacement because it appears to be high on the motor and then burning off when it drips at the manifold. The exhaust is clean.

If you guys have any ideas to help with my 2 issues that would be great.

In the meantime, here'* a really crappy picture I took when I first got home.

(Looking forward to being a part of the site).

Welcome to the Forum, older links dont work since the Forum was reformatted to vBulletin . If you find a link that wont come up and you have the name/topic, our search engine can still bring it up with it'* new reference number.

One member put black matte vinyl on the window trim, I think it was Gumball. But I would go with painting. Vinyl doesnt do well in the car wash or heat.

As far as the oil leak, it kinda something you have to be there to see. But the valve cover gasket is the most likely problem.

Nice looking car, from what I can tell. Changing the valve cover gasket is easy on the front. Just make sure you use a torque wrench and use the correct amount of torque.

Nice ride! And welcome! as for your questions I painted mine with model paint. it looks good. The before pic is on my sig. I will have to post an after pic. And for the other.. It sounds like a valve cover gasket. Go ahead and replace the gasket and that should take care of the problem.

Happy New Years everyone - and thanks for the replys.

I tried the search to see if anyone has done a write up on valve cover g\asket replacement but couldn't find anything. Does anyone know of a good reference for me. Thanks.

I think I have a write up in the how to area about changing rockers and springs. There might be some info there. Not really much to it. Just make sure you torque it to the correct amount.

interesting the car has 05 Grand Prix Comp G wheels on it

Nice car!

Thanks guys. I'll post some more pics when I get a second. I just put on the K&N cone filter today - and what a difference - seat of the pants difference and a nice whine. This coming from a LS1 owner!!

I do love the wheels - I need to get some winter wheels though so these don't get wrecked.