Learning, Sharing, and Teaching > Do it Yourself Discussion!
Vehicle maintenance for a 200k+ mile car with spotty repair history
StealthFundip:
Hey everyone, looking to pick a few DIY-brains for the best way to approach this.
I was given my dad's old 2004 Buick Century with about 180k miles. After going through my clown-car commute for a few months it's just under 205k and I've been considering how best to keep it running while I get my Bachelor's. He bought it used with low mileage, but he is NOT nice to his stuff. I know he changed the oil at least once a year/5k miles, and fixed anything that made the car unusable, but other than that I doubt he followed the recommended service intervals.
After I took charge of the car, I got the oil changed about every 5,000 miles. I also did the extremely basic stuff: check tire pressure, oil levels b/t changes, wiper blades, refill wiper fluid, replace headlights, etc. I blew a brake line by nearly hitting a deer at highway speeds, so I got that replaced. With my minimal car repair knowledge and the mechanic's recommendations, my list of known issues is...
* Replace cracked windshield (been pulled over twice but no ticket yet)
* Replace remaining 3 brake lines
* Get all new tires (tread very worn + winter is pretty damn close)
* Transmission has been acting up since I've been driving the car
* Probably need new pads and rotors (no jack stand to check for myself)
* Car electrical system dims when I step on the brakes/etc. Failing alternator/battery?
* Rusting on fuel door/runners under doors
And then there's the rest of the car... I have no idea what to look for or what is worn/broken/abnormal since I've never had any vehicle in good working condition. I like knowing the ins and outs of any object or gadget I depend on, and would love to get to know more about cars in general. I'm open to any and all recommendations. Thanks everyone!
zolotiyeruki:
The first thing I'd be worried about is a timing belt, but your car has a timing chain. The transmission fluid should typically be replaced every 30,000 miles. I don't know what the procedure is for the Buick, but on some cars you drain the fluid, fill it back up, drive around a bit to mix the new fluid in, and then repeat the process twice more. On some cars it's a simple drain-and-refill. I'd suggest replacing the transmission fluid filter as well in case it's been neglected. Your brake fluid may need to be flushed, and the same with your power steering fluid and antifreeze. If you're willing to spend a little bit of money and a few hours of time, all of these are pretty easy to do.
In general, maintenance means
1) fluids (oil, transmission, brake, power steering, coolant)
2) rubber things (belts, tires, bushings, motor mounts, etc)
3) electrical stuff (light bulbs, spark plugs, occasionally coil packs or distributor cap/rotor)
4) brakes (pads, and less frequently, rotors/drums)
The nice thing is that almost all of the things on that list are quite easy and inexpensive to DIY. Buy a pair of jack stands and a few wrenches, and you're good to go.
Before you go all in, however, I'd replace the transmission fluid and filter and see if that affects the behavior of the transmission. If it doesn't, take it to a transmission place and ask them to take a look. If the car is going to die in the next 500 miles, there's little point in spending lots of time replacing brake lines, brake pads, transmission fluid, etc.
ketchup:
Honestly, I'd just go down the maintenance schedule list and do *everything* that you know hasn't been done recently (most if not all can be DIY), and then stick to the schedule going forward.
Definitely start with transmission fluid though from the sound of things.
StealthFundip:
--- Quote from: zolotiyeruki on October 15, 2018, 08:26:22 AM ---...If the car is going to die in the next 500 miles, there's little point in spending lots of time replacing brake lines, brake pads, transmission fluid, etc.
--- End quote ---
Very true! I'll definitely change the transmission fluid/filter and get a professional opinion if it's still acting up.
--- Quote from: ketchup on October 15, 2018, 08:48:49 AM ---Honestly, I'd just go down the maintenance schedule list and do *everything* that you know hasn't been done recently (most if not all can be DIY), and then stick to the schedule going forward.
--- End quote ---
Sounds like a great start, thanks for the suggestions everyone!
BudgetSlasher:
--- Quote from: StealthFundip on October 15, 2018, 10:33:41 PM ---
--- Quote from: zolotiyeruki on October 15, 2018, 08:26:22 AM ---...If the car is going to die in the next 500 miles, there's little point in spending lots of time replacing brake lines, brake pads, transmission fluid, etc.
--- End quote ---
Very true! I'll definitely change the transmission fluid/filter and get a professional opinion if it's still acting up.
--- End quote ---
You might want to do a little googling regarding fluid changes in transmissions that are already having issues. There seems to be a belief among some, including professionals, that changing the fluid in an already compromised transmission can accelerate its failure (it is the point of view I was raised with).
For example my BIL used to drive a high milage Blazer with transmission issues and way to by his mechanic not to change the fluid for fear of failure.
The logic generally goes like this; the old fluid is warn out and has allowed a layer of varnish/sediment to deposit on many internal surfaces and when new fluid is added it acts as a solvent, dislodging these deposits in larger pieces than normal. That in turn results in the final failure as a result of clogged internal screens and filters.
I am not sure if a flush vs a change would limit the risk. And I am not saying to skip changing the fluid, just that you should be informed and aware (depending on the circumstances) of the seeming risk. And if it does fail, you'll have saved yourself the cost of the other repairs.
--- Quote ---
--- Quote from: ketchup on October 15, 2018, 08:48:49 AM ---Honestly, I'd just go down the maintenance schedule list and do *everything* that you know hasn't been done recently (most if not all can be DIY), and then stick to the schedule going forward.
--- End quote ---
Sounds like a great start, thanks for the suggestions everyone!
--- End quote ---
In the past, this is how I have treated used car purchases. If the seller cannot provide documentation (not simply saying yes it was done) that a service was done I have treated it as not done and completed it as soon as possible after purchase (unless it being left undone so long was a deal killer).
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