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Things to Replace at 21 years & 54K

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Old Sep 2, 2021 | 10:00 PM
  #1  
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Default Things to Replace at 21 years & 54K

Own a 2000 that has had 5 previous owners. Last owner had it 6 years, put 16K miles on it but was more concerned about the
physical shine than the mechanical pieces. One of the others put a Midameica exhaust system on it, removing the cats. Maybe did a tune(???).
Last owner never had to deal wih emissions here in PA since they drove less han 5K miles. But since end of June I have put 1700 miles,
so I am concerned with the lack of cats.
Considering that I'm dealing with 21 year old rubber and parts and don't know if any owner has had it long enough to cause them to do maintenance
other than change the oil, these are the things I've done: replace brakes, brake lines, brake fluid, transmission fluid, differential fluid, engine oil/filter,
air filter, fuel filter, spark plugs/wires, cleaned MAF and throttle body, May be forgetting something.
I am wondering what others things I should be considering. I have seen a fair amount of talk on replacing valve springs as a maintenance
item, but honestly, have never replaced them on any other vehicle.
Opinions/wisdom wanted.

Paul
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Old Sep 3, 2021 | 12:52 AM
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Belts and hoses come to mind
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Old Sep 3, 2021 | 12:59 AM
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Anti-freeze

Order and install a LMC5
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Old Sep 3, 2021 | 11:39 AM
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Anti-freeze done and found LMC5 insalled by PO.
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Old Sep 3, 2021 | 05:38 PM
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Check the date code on the tires
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Old Sep 4, 2021 | 12:37 AM
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If it is a manual transmission car, replace the clutch master cylinder fluid by using a rubber bulb battery syringe to suck out the old fluid. Do that every time you have accumulated enough clutch actuations to bring dirty fluid into the clutch master cylinder until the fluid no longer loses its clarity.

Thereafter, syringe out and replace the master cylinder fluid, both brake and clutch at every oil change and or at least once a year.

Same procedure with the power steering fluid-- but replace the old fluid with Red Line full synthetic power steering fluid. Much better heat resistance to fluid breakdown.

I follow the above and my car is at 117,000 miles, 22 track days, over 1,000 miles on the racetrack and over 5,000 full power accelerations through the gears.

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Old Sep 4, 2021 | 09:10 AM
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If you happen to do any tranny or clutch work then replace the torque tube couplers....They are rubber and age has an effect on them too....
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Old Sep 7, 2021 | 08:34 AM
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Check the harmonic balancer for wobble, change the power steering fluid, change the belt, and inspect anything that's rubber on the engine or suspension. I went through that list when I bought my '03 Z.
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Old Oct 14, 2021 | 09:22 AM
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OEM sway bar links are plastic. Might want to replace them. Shocks are another item. Both are straight forward DIY repairs. Check behind seats for water leaks. Replace weather striping as necessary.
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Old Oct 14, 2021 | 02:22 PM
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I know you asked what things to replace but doing these could save you from issues down the road.

Clean the drain udders of environmental debris.
Apply a preservative to all weather stripping.
Check grounds for corrosion and clean if necessary.

Last edited by hron61; Oct 14, 2021 at 02:27 PM.
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Old Oct 14, 2021 | 05:17 PM
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Originally Posted by pcastellano28
Own a 2000 that has had 5 previous owners. Last owner had it 6 years, put 16K miles on it but was more concerned about the
physical shine than the mechanical pieces. One of the others put a Midameica exhaust system on it, removing the cats. Maybe did a tune(???).
Last owner never had to deal wih emissions here in PA since they drove less han 5K miles. But since end of June I have put 1700 miles,
so I am concerned with the lack of cats.
Considering that I'm dealing with 21 year old rubber and parts and don't know if any owner has had it long enough to cause them to do maintenance
other than change the oil, these are the things I've done: replace brakes, brake lines, brake fluid, transmission fluid, differential fluid, engine oil/filter,
air filter, fuel filter, spark plugs/wires, cleaned MAF and throttle body, May be forgetting something.
I am wondering what others things I should be considering. I have seen a fair amount of talk on replacing valve springs as a maintenance
item, but honestly, have never replaced them on any other vehicle.
Opinions/wisdom wanted.

Paul
easiest answer is everything. That the problem with ALL original and worse on low mileage cars. Strange people expect rubber and fluids to not ever break down.
Reply

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