Suggested Maintenance...about to go on a road trip...

[94jedi]

Well, as the title states, I'm about to be going on a 6 hour road trip, probably every weekend or every other weekend for several months. I'm moving from Md to Nc and plan to go back and forth as often as possible while my house in Md is on the market.

My car currently has about 99k miles on it (not to shabby for an 03). I've mentioned before that I'm not exactly sure what maintenance was done on the car prior to my ownership as the carfax report did not show those details (although it did show multiple instances of service). Although the previous owner of the car was not an enthusiast by any means (single mom with like 4 kids) she did spend money to fix the car whenever necessary.

I haven't done too much to the car myself, maintenance-wise but I figure now is the time to make sure I take care of those items.

So what are the general recommendations for maintenance on a car that is about to hit 100K and will be doing a lot of highway traveling?

I'm going to take the car to my local indy shop and have them look over it. Any recommendations? I know the cooling system should be re-done but in lieu of not re-doing the whole thing, what would be the "minimum" I could do to get by for now? New exp. tank and pulley? Those items may have been done by the prev. owner but I have no way of knowing for sure.

Back in January, I bought some parts to do the valve cover and a few other items on my own but just haven't had time. I think I'm going to have the indy shop do those items for me.

Here's the parts list:


Valve Cover Gasket - Set ES#17830
Direct from the factory
11120030496
If Ordered Now, Ships Today

Shipped
1 $38.48 $38.48
Valve Cover Seal Washer - Priced Each ES#1876905
Rubber sealing washer underneath valve cover securing nut
11121437395
If Ordered Now, Ships Today

Shipped
15 $1.06 $15.90
Ultra Black Maximum Oil Resistance RTV Silicone Gasket Maker ES#2162830
General-purpose, OEM specified black RTV
82180
If Ordered Now, Ships by Jan 17th

Shipped
1 $9.52 $9.52
Oil Filter Housing Gasket ES#23900
Seals housing to the engine block
11421719855
If Ordered Now, Ships Today

Shipped
1 $4.74 $4.74
VANOS Oil Feed Line ES#23138
Supplies oil to the VANOS cam unit
11361705532
If Ordered Now, Ships Today

Shipped
1 $43.39 $43.39
Sealing Ring - Priced Each ES#54259
14x20
32411093596
If Ordered Now, Ships Today

Shipped
4 $1.08 $4.32
Throttle Body Gasket ES#25541
Gasket used to seal the throttle body onto the intake manifold
11611716174

[ELCID86]

Why do you feel the VCG needs to be done? Leaking?
The ET may have a date on it but if so can be hard to see while installed. I'm betting you won't have issues with it at that mileage but you never know when it will give up the ghost.


Thumbs, iPhone, Tapatalk.

[94jedi]

Yup, the VCG is leaking a bit. "ET"?

[az3579]

Yup, the VCG is leaking a bit. "ET"?

Expansion tank.

[94jedi]

Expansion tank.

Lol...thanks...It's Monday, I've already got a sinus headache...and yes, I'm a bit "dense" at times. :)

[az3579]

Lol...thanks...It's Monday, I've already got a sinus headache...and yes, I'm a bit "dense" at times. :)

Better than being sparse. :biggrin

[Simmsled]

Fuel filter
Diff oil change
Power steering fluid refresh
Brake fluid change
Transmission fluid change
Alignment

[Avetiso]

Not sure why people are recommending fluid changes for a road trip. Nothing is going to break because your oil is old unless it's already ready to break because of that, in which case, you've got bigger problems.

Replace your ET, rebleed your cooling system and make sure it is pressurized correctly to avoid explosion. I'd change the water pump, too. Check DISA to make sure it's not falling apart. Besides that... can't think of much else. Anything else that might break is usually on a replace-when-broke level, so there is always an element of risk.

[Hermes]

Not sure why people are recommending fluid changes for a road trip.

I think he's recommending fluids due to mileage (100k), not the road trip part

[94jedi]

Not sure why people are recommending fluid changes for a road trip. Nothing is going to break because your oil is old unless it's already ready to break because of that, in which case, you've got bigger problems.

Replace your ET, rebleed your cooling system and make sure it is pressurized correctly to avoid explosion. I'd change the water pump, too. Check DISA to make sure it's not falling apart. Besides that... can't think of much else. Anything else that might break is usually on a replace-when-broke level, so there is always an element of risk.

Thanks for the input. This is probably what I'll end up doing. Might as well do the WP pulley as well, right? (assuming it's original).

[Simmsled]

I think he's recommending fluids due to mileage (100k), not the road trip part

Indeed. Nothing brings out weakness/issues like a nice long drive.

100k is a great mile marker for maintenance.

[ELCID86]

Thanks for the input. This is probably what I'll end up doing. Might as well do the WP pulley as well, right? (assuming it's original).

Do the tensioners and idlers while you are there too. They will go bad if they aren't' already. You can tell if they are bad, if the actually spin freely when you try. A good one will have enough resistance that it only goes about 1/4 to 1/2 turn when you flick it.

[danewilson77]

Good view here.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvKWkh0e1gM

[tkundhi]

I agree with the comments above. Basically the weak point in E46 cars is the cooling system. If you can't confirm it's been maintained then address it. The ET is a common failure but I would also replace all the hoses and belts at this time. Since you are in there and flushing the coolant anyway. Especially if you have to do the water pump. IIRC the recommended water pump service interval is 60k or 75k.

Easy 3-6 hour job depending on experience. Don't forget to bleed the air out of the system when done.

t.

[danewilson77]

I agree with the comments above. Basically the weak point in E46 cars is the cooling system. If you can't confirm it's been maintained then address it. The ET is a common failure but I would also replace all the hoses and belts at this time. Since you are in there and flushing the coolant anyway. Especially if you have to do the water pump. IIRC the recommended water pump service interval is 60k or 75k.

Easy 3-6 hour job depending on experience. Don't forget to bleed the air out of the system when done.

t.
And all three pulley's.