I am coming up on 60,000 miles and I know there are somethings I have to do (belt, fluids) but then I have heard there are other things that can wait for later (water pump).

Can anyone tell me what I should get done and what can wait until later? It's christmas time, and I still haven't even done my christmas shopping

 

What you need to get done is in the owner's manual.

Balance belt + tensioner
Timing belt + tensioner
Inspect/replace serp if you've never replaced it before
Oil
Trans oil (every 30k)
Valve lash should be checked, replace valve cover gasket when you do it.

Water pump doesn't need to be done until 120k.

 

i have looked at all the things i have to get done in the owners manual, but the question i have is what do i need to get done that is of absolute importance and what could wait? if i had the money i would get everything done!

 

Well I'd say timing belt and tensioners and those goodies. As well as tranny oil. Though I've yet to do my timing belt and I'm at 110k shame on me :/

 

im at 35000kms and havent changed my tranny oil. and u say every 30k? hmm.might wanna check into that as well as the list in the manual...

 

I am super paranoid about my timing belt mostly, but I haven't heard of nor read anywhere about lancer timing or balance belt breakings. My buddy has an 04 ra with close to 70k and he hasn't changed his timing or balance belt or water pump-and he rags the hell out of his car (i feel very bad for his ra) I realize that every car and situation is different, but I baby my ra. I'm going to do all the fluids and have the mechanic check on everything and take it from there. I wish all this stuff wasn't so damn expensive!

 

Otter: Off topic, I noticed in your garage you have a Injen CAI on your RA. What do you use, if anything, to prevent hydrolock? When it rains it poors here in Texas and I have an AEM CIA and I need something to prevent hydrolock!

 

Yes I am a bad person. Over the past 12 months I have clocked an additional 50k on the odometer and have missed some big service points (60k, 100k). The only issues I have had is the dreaded squeak of death from the bushings and the once a month stall when it's cold. Although I think I heard some faint clicking from a sharp slow turn which I hope does not get any worse.

So now that it's been this long I am sure I will need a littany of service done to it.

• Plugs and wires
• Water pump
• Belts (balance and timing and prob serpentine)
• Trans oil (every 30k)
• Coolant

What am I missing on this list? What would a 100k service cost me?

 

I avoid large puddles.

 

What's cheaper, timing belt, or having to rebuild/replace your engine engine?

We don't have spark plug wires, it's a coil on plug car. You're missing the timing/balance tensioners. Should throw a new thermostat in there, too.

I don't know what the labor will run, but you're looking at about $500 in parts and fluids.

 

Anything else to be concerned about like a coolant flush?

Also I have had the dreaded squeak-of-pain from the rear since 2004, is there any remedy for it? New bushings?

I almost wonder, the price tag could exceed $1000 for this service. Is it worth it? How many more miles can my motor give me before failure?

 

Coolant changes are pretty simple, just remember to get the car running up to temperature and burp the cooling system. And give the car a once-over as well. I had a bad oil pump seal at 60K miles, so that got replaced in addition to all the usual components.

 

65,000k with no timing belt replaced yet