150k service recomendations

toys r' us · 28th December 2006, 18:32

Hi all,
I've passed the 150K mile mark recently and was wondering if there are some items I should look out for regarding which should be replaced or serviced.
I get the car serviced about twice a year minor and major. The mechanic at the shop mentioned the timing guide replacement-is it really necessary to replace it?the argument seems to go both ways-I'm confused.
My third gear synchro seems to be wearing out too.
So, if the experts (you know who you are) can list the most important to the least important issues to look out for I would greatly appreciate it.
PS my car is mechanically sound, the only issue is loose steering and the third gear synchro which grinds on occasion.
Thanks
TRU

lkfosteraz · 29th December 2006, 02:20

I did my timing chain at 165k. The rubber coated rails weren't too bad off but the notorious $15 plastic guide was almost worn through it's mounting bosses. It's a PIA to do and expensive whether you do it yourself or pay a shop, but the odds are if you don't do it you will frag the motor eventually. I opted to do it and recommend that you do also. I never thought I had a loose chain until I started the engine for the first time with all the new bits. Amazingly more quiet, I can now hear the gear box rattle that I used to hear 15 years ago.

Have you changed your transmission oil? I use Mobil 1 ATF, but lots of people use Redline MTL. Either one may improve your shifting.

After replacing every moving part in my front end I found that the biggest improvement in steering came from tightening the steering column sliding spline coupling nut below the dash. You can reach this without removing the lower cover. Take a large crescent wrench (adjustable spanner) and place it on the nut next to the sliding splines and turn the steering wheel to tighten it. I kept tightening it until the adjustable steering column was tight to move in and out. Big improvement in straight-line tracking.

toys r' us · 29th December 2006, 03:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by lkfosteraz

I did my timing chain at 165k. The rubber coated rails weren't too bad off but the notorious $15 plastic guide was almost worn through it's mounting bosses. It's a PIA to do and expensive whether you do it yourself or pay a shop, but the odds are if you don't do it you will frag the motor eventually. I opted to do it and recommend that you do also. I never thought I had a loose chain until I started the engine for the first time with all the new bits. Amazingly more quiet, I can now hear the gear box rattle that I used to hear 15 years ago.

Have you changed your transmission oil? I use Mobil 1 ATF, but lots of people use Redline MTL. Either one may improve your shifting.

After replacing every moving part in my front end I found that the biggest improvement in steering came from tightening the steering column sliding spline coupling nut below the dash. You can reach this without removing the lower cover. Take a large crescent wrench (adjustable spanner) and place it on the nut next to the sliding splines and turn the steering wheel to tighten it. I kept tightening it until the adjustable steering column was tight to move in and out. Big improvement in straight-line tracking.

thanks Ikfosteraz
The tranny fluid was changed in April along with the major service (Inspection II) Mercon ATF and some gear lube.I'll try the sterrin adjustment you mentioned. I guess I'll have to bite the bullet and do the time chain. While that is apart is there something else i could change along with it?

lkfosteraz · 29th December 2006, 05:16

I replaced the oil pump while I had the oil pan down. Price from Steve Heygood was low enough that it made sense. Oil light goes off a lot faster now.

http://steveheygood.com

If you're going to have the TC done you might want to poke around to find a shop that knows the S38 engines. If you do the TC by the book you need to remove the head, but with a little poetic license with a grinding tool you can trim the top chain rail enough to do the change without pulling the head. Here's a step-by-step on how to trim the rail.

http://home.insightbb.com/~todd.kenyon/Chain.htm

Steve can provide the details here too.

Here's a good place to look for shop references.

http://www.mye28.com

toys r' us · 29th December 2006, 05:35

thanks again
and continued health and happiness for the new year!