Changing Fluids

[tkoforpresident]

My car is nearing the grand 100,000 mark and I've decided to change all the fluids and filters. I've never tried any of these (at least on my firebird) which ones are easily done by myself...and which ones would be better off with a mechanic?


Flush and Refill:
Coolant
Oil
Rear Differential Fluid
Tranmission Fluid

Top Off:
Power Steering Fluid
Break Fluid

Replace:
PCV valve
Spark Plugs
Fuel Filter
Oil Filter
Trans. Filters

any insight would be great because i have no problem attempting these things myself or with a friend who knows much more about cars than me.

[97rs4life]

Re: Changing Fluids

You can do yourself:

Oil
Rear diff
PCV
Spark plugs
fuel filter
oil filter

I would let a shop flush out with their systems the:

coolant
tranny fluid w/ filter (has this ever been done to the car?)
power steering

Brake fluid you could probably do, but why not do it when you get some new brakes or something?

[tkoforpresident]

Re: Changing Fluids

You can do yourself:

Oil
Rear diff
PCV
Spark plugs
fuel filter
oil filter

I would let a shop flush out with their systems the:

coolant
tranny fluid w/ filter (has this ever been done to the car?)
power steering

Brake fluid you could probably do, but why not do it when you get some new brakes or something?

honestly i didn't even know there was a tranny filter so.... the previous owner might have done it (i bought it half a year ago) and i might get some new brakes put in so i'll have them do the fluid then i guess. Thanx for the tips, now i know what i can do myself to save money and learn how to do it (which is always fun and useful)

[tkoforpresident]

Re: Changing Fluids

oh one more Q...would u suggest synthetic oil?? and are there any types of fuel or oil filter that are better than the rest

[dafirebird]

Re: Changing Fluids

I cannot answer your question about synthetic oil, but one word of advice that I always heed is when buying a used car, always assume the previous owner did nothing about fluids and filters. What I mean is, when you have the Transmission fluid changed, have them do the trans. filter too. Then the following year, have the trans. flushed (they do not change the filter when they "flush") - Paul

[tkoforpresident]

Re: Changing Fluids

I cannot answer your question about synthetic oil, but one word of advice that I always heed is when buying a used car, always assume the previous owner did nothing about fluids and filters. What I mean is, when you have the Transmission fluid changed, have them do the trans. filter too. Then the following year, have the trans. flushed (they do not change the filter when they "flush") - Paul

yeah i hear what your sayin....thats why i've decided to change all the fluids and just kinda go from there

[candela]

Re: Changing Fluids

Do you have a manual transmission or automatic? Manual trannies do not have filters.

[FireBird_Fr3ak]

Re: Changing Fluids

You can do all of these on your own, just get a HAynes or a Chiltons.

[tkoforpresident]

Re: Changing Fluids

You can do all of these on your own, just get a HAynes or a Chiltons.

I have an automatic trans, and i do have a haynes manual...i was skimming through it and it seems like it will be very helpful when i attempt some of these changes...

Just wondering... Say i changed my oil, oil filter, trans fluid, trans filter, fuel filter, and pvc valve how much would that run me off hand?

thanx

[FireBird_Fr3ak]

Re: Changing Fluids

I have an automatic trans, and i do have a haynes manual...i was skimming through it and it seems like it will be very helpful when i attempt some of these changes...

Just wondering... Say i changed my oil, oil filter, trans fluid, trans filter, fuel filter, and pvc valve how much would that run me off hand?

thanx

All depends on the quality of the stuff you buy. I did all that and my powersteering after my swap and it was about a $60 bill.

[tkoforpresident]

Re: Changing Fluids

All depends on the quality of the stuff you buy. I did all that and my powersteering after my swap and it was about a $60 bill.

did you just go to an auto store and tell them what you needed?

[97burnout]

Re: Changing Fluids

first off.. please tell me you have the oil changed before and this isn't your first time... the rest go with rs4life except the plugs... that be a pain.. I tried the plugs and gave up and I would like to think my mechanical abilities are fairly good.... do you know what a shop does for those typically? they drop the engine... thats how bad it is... good luck man

[tkoforpresident]

Re: Changing Fluids

first off.. please tell me you have the oil changed before and this isn't your first time... the rest go with rs4life except the plugs... that be a pain.. I tried the plugs and gave up and I would like to think my mechanical abilities are fairly good.... do you know what a shop does for those typically? they drop the engine... thats how bad it is... good luck man

No I certainly had the oil changed, but now i want to do it myself..... I can't believe they have to drop the engine to get the plugs.... i've heard just jacking the car up will help

[SpeedingFirebird]

Re: Changing Fluids

Flush and Refill:
Coolant
Oil
Rear Differential Fluid
Tranmission Fluid

Top Off:
Power Steering Fluid
Break Fluid

Replace:
PCV valve
Spark Plugs
Fuel Filter
Oil Filter
Trans. Filters

You can do all of these yourself; however, since you are just learning, I would start with the easier ones: oil, rear diff, PCV valve, and PS fluid. Coolant can be a touch tricky, but there is SO much info out on the web, you can do this too. Instructions have been posted on here many times.

Tranny fluid/screen, spark plugs, brake fluid flush I would shop out for now until you get more experience.

Oil filter - honestly, if the car is running fine. Leave it and do it when you get more experience.

50% of the world will disagree with me on this one, but stick with dino oil. Since your car is older, synthetic oil may clean your seals too well. What happens is, over the years, gunk and stuff actually plugs leaks in your seals. Synthetic oil cleans out this gunk thus leaving minor leaks. Again, tons of info on the Web.

[97rs4life]

Re: Changing Fluids

first off.. please tell me you have the oil changed before and this isn't your first time... the rest go with rs4life except the plugs... that be a pain.. I tried the plugs and gave up and I would like to think my mechanical abilities are fairly good.... do you know what a shop does for those typically? they drop the engine... thats how bad it is... good luck man

they do not drop the engine. I dunno where you got that crazy info from but there is no way they go through that much work to change spark plugs. I did all mine without dropping the engine, it just takes patience and time. Some of them you have to get from the top and some you have to get from the bottom.