General maintenance
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 13
Likes: 10
From: Windsor Locks CT
General maintenance
Well I have recently got a 1985 with a 4+3 transmission, and if I remember correctly had several Z51 options too, passed down to me from my father, and it currently has 131,300 miles on it. The A.I.R crap has been replaced several times(plan on removing it), and I was curious about what kind of maintenance should be done ,or things to look at before I start spending money on mods.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,143
Likes: 1,729
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Well what has been replaced thus far? That will eat up your mod budget considerably at 131K. Just about everything that hasn't failed will fail soon.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 13
Likes: 10
From: Windsor Locks CT
well there hasnt been much of any work done to the engine...as of right now I know the throttle body needs to be replaced, because it gets stuck once and awhile when the engine is cold. The transmission was rebuilt at 110,000. Of course things like oil changes and tune ups were done at the correct intervals. Other than that I dont know what has been done, and doubt I would be able to find out.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,143
Likes: 1,729
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
General maintenance is 30K for transmission/OD unit fluid. 100K for the rear axle fluid which I'm sure hasn't been done. 75K is what I recommend for shocks.
Over 100K, wheel bearings, U-joints, alternator, compressor, etc. are all things that are going to fail if they haven't been replaced already. Then you'll have the usual electrical gremlins and sensor failures, like the MAF.
If that stuff is ok then you can proceed with a few mods, but do drive it for 6 months before you start sinking money into that...things are going to wear out.
Over 100K, wheel bearings, U-joints, alternator, compressor, etc. are all things that are going to fail if they haven't been replaced already. Then you'll have the usual electrical gremlins and sensor failures, like the MAF.
If that stuff is ok then you can proceed with a few mods, but do drive it for 6 months before you start sinking money into that...things are going to wear out.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 13
Likes: 10
From: Windsor Locks CT
well I dont plan on going right out and modding it yet, but my main goal right now is to get it a little more reliable, and get used to driving it a little more, then ill worry about modding it. And thank you for the info!
Last edited by whd1736; Apr 12, 2011 at 10:06 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,328
Likes: 15
From: Jacksonville FL
Change all fluids especially brake and clutch hydraulic fluid. Flush the cooling system and fill with the proper antifreeze and distilled water appropriate to your climate. Grease anything that has a zerk fitting. Change the oils in the engine, tranny, OD unit (and filter) and rear end. Make sure you use the correct oils and additives where appropriate. After that you are pretty much done with PM.
As Vader has mentioned at 131K things will start to fail. You can go broke trying to guess what is gonna go next and you will go broke trying to figure this out without a crystal ball. Just keep an eye and ear out for anything suspicious and dont let the problem snowball i.e. replace the brake pads before it eats up the disc etc.
Good Luck and welcome to the forum. Post up some pics of your car when you can BECAUSE..........
Last edited by HlhnEast; Apr 13, 2011 at 06:51 AM.
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 17,551
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From: El Paso Texas
The official Frizlefrak guide to adopting an old car, first 10 things to check:
1. Change all fluids. Include flushing brake fluid, P/S, transmission, and rear end. Repair leaks as needed.
2. Change all cooling hoses, serp belt, and rubber vacuum lines. Flush cooling system. On a C4, remove radiator and clean 20+ years of accumulated crap off the front. You will thank me later.
3. Inspect brake rotors, pads,and brake hoses. Check entire braking system for leaks. Replace anything suspect. Check parking brake and repair / adjust as needed.
4. All new filters. Fuel, oil, air.
5. Address any check engine light issues, and correct.
6. Inspect suspension bushings, ball joints, tie rod ends, and wheel bearings. Replace as needed, get 4 wheel alignment.
7. Cap, rotor, wires, and plugs unless done already.
8. Check date code on tires. Replace if 8 years old or beyond, or any signs of weather checking.
9. Replace wiper blades. Scratched windshields suck.
10. Check operation of all lights and horn, repair as needed.
That should get the car at least minimally roadworthy. There will be more. Much more.
Happy wrenching.
1. Change all fluids. Include flushing brake fluid, P/S, transmission, and rear end. Repair leaks as needed.
2. Change all cooling hoses, serp belt, and rubber vacuum lines. Flush cooling system. On a C4, remove radiator and clean 20+ years of accumulated crap off the front. You will thank me later.
3. Inspect brake rotors, pads,and brake hoses. Check entire braking system for leaks. Replace anything suspect. Check parking brake and repair / adjust as needed.
4. All new filters. Fuel, oil, air.
5. Address any check engine light issues, and correct.
6. Inspect suspension bushings, ball joints, tie rod ends, and wheel bearings. Replace as needed, get 4 wheel alignment.
7. Cap, rotor, wires, and plugs unless done already.
8. Check date code on tires. Replace if 8 years old or beyond, or any signs of weather checking.
9. Replace wiper blades. Scratched windshields suck.
10. Check operation of all lights and horn, repair as needed.
That should get the car at least minimally roadworthy. There will be more. Much more.
Happy wrenching.
