Checklist at 140k+ ??

[LilRedBuggy]

Hey guys, I've got a '97 RS with 140k miles on it, I bought it two years ago with 128k and was wondering if there was any major maintenance I should have done to keep it in good running order? I plan to have the car til it dies so major maintenance isn't too much of a big deal. Any suggestions helpful... Thx in advance

[C.O.Jones]

Biggest meanest death to a car - Serpentine belt. Check that puppy for cracks especially if you haven't checked it in 2 years.

[youngcamarokid]

Just make sure you do an oil change every 3k miles or less, flush the coolant system every 10,000 miles, plugs, wires, but remember to make sure the engine stays cool. Try to install a free fan switch to keep it cool, and maybe think about a lower temperature thermostat.

Oh yeah, a side note: that car has almost 3 times as many miles as my '97, so it's probably been driven long and hard...

[LilRedBuggy]

120k of those miles are highway, plus the car was driven by some middle-aged lady. What's involved with installing the free fan switch? And what's the normal deal for changed plugs and wires, anybody had good luck with something particular? Should I change them if I don't know their history and how much will that run me?

I was thinking more on the order of stuff that isn't generally done that would prolong the life of the car or even add performance benefit... [img]smile.gif[/img]

[youngcamarokid]

The free fan switch involves splicing 2 wires to 2 existing wires on the wiring harness above the front passenger wheel well.

It's really easy, if I find the link again I'll post it.

[Bliggida]

read the ownwers manual for maintanence at 100,00 and a 40,000. Do whatever it says for both of those.

[black98V6]

well there really isn't a whole lot that is servicable on our cars.. regular oil changes.. maybe flush the cooling system..

if its an automatic and the fluid has never been changed.. well changing it is kinda rolling the dice.. if it hasn't been changed in that long changing it might not be a good idea.. then it might help too.. it's a gamble

new oil in rear end is a good idea..

I know none of the front end parts on my 98 have grease fittings so not much to service there..

fuel filter might be a good idea..

maybe some injector cleaner through the fuel system..

with that kinda mileage it's a toss up as to how much longer it's gonna last and whether or not it's really worth it to do much more maintenance espicially if you plan to keep the car till it dies and then just replace the motor..

[Bliggida]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by black98V6:
well there really isn't a whole lot that is servicable on our cars.. regular oil changes.. maybe flush the cooling system..

if its an automatic and the fluid has never been changed.. well changing it is kinda rolling the dice.. if it hasn't been changed in that long changing it might not be a good idea.. then it might help too.. it's a gamble

new oil in rear end is a good idea..

I know none of the front end parts on my 98 have grease fittings so not much to service there..

fuel filter might be a good idea..

maybe some injector cleaner through the fuel system..

with that kinda mileage it's a toss up as to how much longer it's gonna last and whether or not it's really worth it to do much more maintenance espicially if you plan to keep the car till it dies and then just replace the motor..<hr></blockquote>

Every part...Every part is serviceable. If it was built by an man, it can be unbuilt by a man!!!

Changing the fluid is always a good idea. So long as its done right it should always respond better with fresh fluid.

Greasing those fittings is servicing

140,000 miles really isn't that much for a modern car. Most if taken care of should last well over 200,000. Tolerances are much tighter (especially in the drivetrain) than that of the 60's and 70's.

Mine has 128,000 to 129,000 miles on it and I have yet to replace one part, not one where it was caused by wear instead of abuse. I've broken many things screwing around but never have I even questioned the reliability of my '98 Camaro.