We bought this car a week or two ago . 37,000 + miles on the clock . in nice shape , as far as I can tell .
So , I am attempting some DIY PM .
Considering it is 11 years old , rubber and plastic tend to go bad with age & heat . I am replacing the 2 radiator hoses . The lower hose was a real bear . Ended up removing the battery & tray to gain better access to the 2 spring hose clamps . Has to cut the OEM hose in the middle so I could treat this hose as 2 separate pieces . This enabled me to twist / wiggle the hose ends to position the 2 " tabs " on the spring clamps to be more accessible to pliers .
I do not like spring hose clamps ! Replace the ones on the lower hose with screw / worm gear type clamps .
While the battery tray is out , I wire brushed it and painted it with Duplicolor black " Rust Remedy " spray paint . Hope this will forstall further corrosion ( it really was not in very bad shape ) .
Plan to replace the serpentine belt . Replaced the 2 plastic " heater elbows " with metal elbows .
Plan to replace the thermostat / gasket . When all the coolant related items are finished , will refill with fresh / new coolant .
Used 2 different Walmart $ 2 turkey basters . One to remove Power Steering fluid & the other to remove brake fluid . Then refill with clean / new fluid . ( By the way , the PS pump is located kind of under the alternator area of the firewall side of the passenger side of the engine compartment . Very big pain to get to . :-(
Replace the hood assist " struts " .
Purchased a transmission filter & gasket . Ordered full synthetic Dexron VI & hope to do a spill & fill before the weather turns cold , this winter . Thinking about adding a Dorman steel transmission pan with a drain plug .
Tires look to be 50% or better . Dealer said they changed oil before I took delivery . Bought 5 of the $ 10 - 5 quart dino oil on sale at Home Depot . One oil filter at Wally World . Plan to order sever ( stretch out the freight cost ) filters from RockAuto.com .
Does any one know if the suspension has grease zerts ? I have a grease gun .
Thanks for listening .
Need to order a dash mat .
So , I am attempting some DIY PM .
Considering it is 11 years old , rubber and plastic tend to go bad with age & heat . I am replacing the 2 radiator hoses . The lower hose was a real bear . Ended up removing the battery & tray to gain better access to the 2 spring hose clamps . Has to cut the OEM hose in the middle so I could treat this hose as 2 separate pieces . This enabled me to twist / wiggle the hose ends to position the 2 " tabs " on the spring clamps to be more accessible to pliers .
I do not like spring hose clamps ! Replace the ones on the lower hose with screw / worm gear type clamps .
While the battery tray is out , I wire brushed it and painted it with Duplicolor black " Rust Remedy " spray paint . Hope this will forstall further corrosion ( it really was not in very bad shape ) .
Plan to replace the serpentine belt . Replaced the 2 plastic " heater elbows " with metal elbows .
Plan to replace the thermostat / gasket . When all the coolant related items are finished , will refill with fresh / new coolant .
Used 2 different Walmart $ 2 turkey basters . One to remove Power Steering fluid & the other to remove brake fluid . Then refill with clean / new fluid . ( By the way , the PS pump is located kind of under the alternator area of the firewall side of the passenger side of the engine compartment . Very big pain to get to . :-(
Replace the hood assist " struts " .
Purchased a transmission filter & gasket . Ordered full synthetic Dexron VI & hope to do a spill & fill before the weather turns cold , this winter . Thinking about adding a Dorman steel transmission pan with a drain plug .
Tires look to be 50% or better . Dealer said they changed oil before I took delivery . Bought 5 of the $ 10 - 5 quart dino oil on sale at Home Depot . One oil filter at Wally World . Plan to order sever ( stretch out the freight cost ) filters from RockAuto.com .
Does any one know if the suspension has grease zerts ? I have a grease gun .
Thanks for listening .
Need to order a dash mat .