Recommended replacements--high mileage

charlesh · Post by **charlesh** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 9:46 am

I haven't gotten my car back yet, but I'm making plans for the future.

My car is high-mileage--115k. I bought it used and therefore don't know how it was treated before me. I've been fixing it little by little, incl. new water pump and timing belt.

Since my breakdown, I've been thinking 2 options--get a new car or really fix this up to be reliable. The 2nd option, in the end will be cheaper. So my question:

Besides doing all the recommended maintenance in the FAQ section, which components in the Neon could possibly strand me? I assume I should replace all the sensors for starters.

I want this car to be in great shape. I want to be able to jump on the highway and drive 1,000 miles with no problems at the drop of a hat.

Hudson_Neon · Post by **Hudson_Neon** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 10:07 am

really, sensors and starter and such are either bad or they're not. there's no way of knowing really when they'll go bad. personally just replace maintenance things

iThane · Post by **iThane** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 11:24 am

theres a graph schedule in your driver's manual that will tell you what
is recommended. i think something about timing belts, i want to say
water pump, etc? its all in your drivers manual.

Swordfish2Cowboy · Post by **Swordfish2Cowboy** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 11:32 am

iThane wrote:theres a graph schedule in your driver's manual that will tell you what
is recommended. i think something about timing belts, i want to say
water pump, etc? its all in your drivers manual.

Yeah but he just changed those.

Do some searching, there's tons of threads on this stuff in this section.

And also look through your maintenance logbook if you've got it, it'll let you know.

Although I can't think of anything really important off the top of my head besides the timing belt and water pump. At least nothing that would KO your car. Doesn't mean there isn't, just means I just woke up and can't think.

charlesh · Post by **charlesh** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 1:33 pm

Although I can't think of anything really important off the top of my head besides the timing belt and water pump. At least nothing that would KO your car. Doesn't mean there isn't, just means I just woke up and can't think.

LOL. This is what I use for that:

and

Paul56 · Post by **Paul56** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 3:14 pm

You are right. It is usually cheaper to fix an older vehicle and
keep it rather than get a new one with payments, but sometimes
that does not always work given how much you need to spend to
get the old one reliable and whether you can do the work yourself.

It depends on how far you want to go... will you be replacing parts
simply due to age or will you wait until failure? Things like coolant
hoses/pipes, front axles, wheel bearings, etc.

It gets expensive replacing parts simply due to wanting reliability
rather than waiting for the part to fail... which may never happen
during your ownership.

g_force58 · Post by **g_force58** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 8:57 pm

there is a laundry list of things I could tell ya to replace or have checked, don't know if you want to hear all that. You didn't say if your Neon is a MTX or ATX, so change the trans fluid if an MTX, if ATX change the fluid/filter and have the bands adjusted. Check or change the radiator and heater hoses. Take a good look at the radiator, if it is an ATX, personally I would replace it since the oil coolers are prone to cracking and getting coolant in the trans oil. Have the front suspension checked over, ball joints, lower control arm bushings, axle cv's, inner and outer tie rod ends, struts for leakage. Check the trans mount and the engine torque struts for for torn inserts. These are all things I would do if the car was mine and if my goals were those you describe. As for the sensors, if you have no cel, you should be fine.

Post by **occasional demons** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 9:03 pm

His sig says R/T, so the ATX stuff won't apply to the OP. But is still good info.

hansken_yo · Post by **hansken_yo** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 10:42 pm

change all fluids: oil, trans, coolant, brakes. Also change your plugs and coilpack wires. also look into your serpentine belt as well. outside of that check your brake pads and you should be good overall

gcretro · Post by **gcretro** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 11:57 pm

I got my 2004 SE with 102K. Did these till now. previous owner had just done brakes.

First got it inspected by a shop. They gave a big list. But this is what I did.

Got done:
Timing belt + water pump + tensioner
Upper & lower torque struts.
trans filter & fluid. (not flush, just pan drop. ATF+3 fluid)

Did myself:
oil change with high mileage oil.
t-stat + radiator flush (only use Valvoline zerex hoat coolant)
PS fluid change
Air-filter, clean TB, IAC, change PCV
Sea-foamed.
Changed plugs. Ngk v-power copper.

trojmn · Post by **trojmn** » Thu Sep 29, 2011 1:17 am

charlesh wrote: My car is high-mileage--115k. I bought it used and therefore don't know how it was treated before me.... The 2nd option, in the end will be cheaper.

lol 115k=high mileage

But yeah that is a lot of time for some previous idget to eff it up. Your right, the car you have is always the cheapest option. repairs are temporary, a car payment is forever...er certainly the same day every month.

A thorough inspection and a driver that pays attention is usually all it takes to stay ahead of any "issues" and your car will go many more times your current mileage.

I'll add to the list:
Trans service (auto or man, is due for a change)
battery test, fuse block inspection (mine was corroded)

If your really worried about being left on the side of the road, i keep a small tool set, tire plug kit, cheap jumper cables, etc.

I commute 35k miles a year, in 5 years, not to mention other normal travel. I drive the SH!T out of it at the local autoX for the last couple years. I've only been stopped on the side of the road due to tire flats twice.

YMMV.

Tro

charlesh · Post by **charlesh** » Thu Sep 29, 2011 3:04 am

Awesome guys! That's exactly what I need. Thanks.

Post by **occasional demons** » Thu Sep 29, 2011 7:14 am

Go through all the suspension parts also. A nice running engine won't get you anywhere, when a ball joint lets the tire get cozy with the fender.

Basically keep an eye on tire wear, rattles and clunks. With these crappy roads, I have just replaced my steering gear, and now tonight I get to replace the Moog ball joints I put in a year and a half ago...

g_force58 · Post by **g_force58** » Thu Sep 29, 2011 10:49 am

Dang it Bill, now I have less reason to complain. I thought Tennessee had the most potholes and rough roads. Especially here around Knoxvegas.

Post by **occasional demons** » Thu Sep 29, 2011 10:55 am

It has got to the point I take some of the back roads, instead of the main ones. It might take longer, but at least me and the car aren't getting thrashed.

I guess you could put alternate routes down as preventative maintenance, or preventing maintenance.

Paul56 · Post by **Paul56** » Thu Sep 29, 2011 12:39 pm

Change list...

-the car

/the end.

charlesh · Post by **charlesh** » Mon Oct 24, 2011 9:26 pm

Here's what I've done since I got it 2 years ago:

replaced:
tires (Kumho Ecsta ASX)
Timing belt
water pump
lower control arms
inner tie rods
A/C compressor
MAP sensor and electrical connector
fuel pump assembly

Next on list:
rebuild MTX
(synchronizer problem in 1st and 2nd, reverse makes slight grinding sound)
replace clutch which is on its way out
Tokico HP with Eibach pro-kit

some minor stuff I have to do:
replace oil pan gasket
remove cheap alarm and ground lighting that doesn't work
minor body work, dent removal, replace fog lights
sunroof track is broken, I don't know if it's worth coughing up the money to fix that. it doesn't leak.

heydockyle · Post by **heydockyle** » Mon Oct 24, 2011 11:18 pm

I don't fix anything til it breaks. Hasn't failed me yet lol. (Outside of being stranded a few times in the srt)

Fuzzyneon · Post by **Fuzzyneon** » Mon Oct 31, 2011 8:41 pm

aside from the timing belt water pump etc rad hoses depending on age 02 sensors (the basic tune up spark plugs etc etc) check your suspention stuff bushings

i dont really like to dig into a working car unless something breaks above is the only stuff id do unless its broke

2GN.ORG

Recommended replacements--high mileage

Recommended replacements--high mileage

Re: Recommended replacements--high mileage

high mileage

Re: Recommended replacements--high mileage

high mileage