11-20-2010, 07:41 PM
Project 8: Maintenance keeps your car alive.
Performed the following maintenance on the car since I got it:
-oil change
-cleaned and oiled the K&N air filter
-flushed power steering (be sure to replace the gaskets of the hoses)
-replaced wiper blades
-flushed rear diff (note: requires an 14mm Allen key and there isn't much room to work on the upper plug, but it can be done)
-replaced fuel filter (runs along the inside of the driver frame rail, essentially up under your ass; covered by a metal guard)
-talked with the PO and was informed that they replaced the valve cover gasket and spark plugs before I got it
-replaced passenger front tire and a rear brake bulb to pass VA inspection
Now that I can drive it regularly, I can find other problems. It's very soft, which I guess makes sense since it isn't an IS model. The seat heaters are awesome, even if the seats aren't in the best condition. The gas tank seems enormous; 450+ miles/tank! The biggest problem now is that it has a whining noise whenever you push the clutch in. Based upon internet searching, it appears that the throwout bearing often wears out and results in a similar noise. I do not intend to perform this job, as I think it would be better if the buyer decides what route they want to go with it (replace bearing, replace clutch, upgrade clutch, etc.).
All in all, I now trust it to reliably and comfortably get me to and from work regularly (30 miles one way). That's a lot more than I can say about when I bought it...
Performed the following maintenance on the car since I got it:
-oil change
-cleaned and oiled the K&N air filter
-flushed power steering (be sure to replace the gaskets of the hoses)
-replaced wiper blades
-flushed rear diff (note: requires an 14mm Allen key and there isn't much room to work on the upper plug, but it can be done)
-replaced fuel filter (runs along the inside of the driver frame rail, essentially up under your ass; covered by a metal guard)
-talked with the PO and was informed that they replaced the valve cover gasket and spark plugs before I got it
-replaced passenger front tire and a rear brake bulb to pass VA inspection
Now that I can drive it regularly, I can find other problems. It's very soft, which I guess makes sense since it isn't an IS model. The seat heaters are awesome, even if the seats aren't in the best condition. The gas tank seems enormous; 450+ miles/tank! The biggest problem now is that it has a whining noise whenever you push the clutch in. Based upon internet searching, it appears that the throwout bearing often wears out and results in a similar noise. I do not intend to perform this job, as I think it would be better if the buyer decides what route they want to go with it (replace bearing, replace clutch, upgrade clutch, etc.).
All in all, I now trust it to reliably and comfortably get me to and from work regularly (30 miles one way). That's a lot more than I can say about when I bought it...