Newbie needs help!! Maint. questions....

[shadyphi]

Ok, heres the deal.

I just bought a 97 WS6, it has 22XXX miles on it. Just had it delivered today!!

My question is this:

What do you guys recommend I do right away for maintenance. I have no idea who the previous owner was & how he took care of it.

Here is what I thought I should start with:

1) synthetic oil change
2) Dump a bottle of fuel injector cleaner in the gas tank
3) Check all hoses
4) Check belt
5) Check exhaust & make sure it is bolted on good

?????

What else do you guys recommend. I'm definately not a mechanic, and I'm looking for any suggestions at all.

Sorry for the "newbness" lol

- Shadyphi

[Craig 94 TA GT]

Although these problems won't stop you from driving it, these are what I would check, in addition to your list:
- rear pinion seal for any leaks
- intake manifold leak
- rear and front brakes
- air filter
- tranny fluid

I would think it shouldn't have much problems if any considering it's got such low miles. However, you can never be too sure...espcially if that's 22xxx miles at the strip
I'm just teasin, I'm sure it's not

[RangerBob]

If it has Dexcool in it (that orange GM radiator fluid) I would flush it and put the regular green stuff in. Make sure you have a repair manual before you start any work.

[Dave M]

I can't say I'd use the green stuff over Dex-cool, but it wouldn't hurt to get some new fluid in the radiator, that stuff's closing in on 10 years old, assuming it's never been changed before. The best thing to do would be go through your owners manual and look at all the maintanance that was supposed to be done over the first 22000 miles and assume it was never done.

[Injuneer]

Change ALL fluids:

-oil filter (use an "oversize" replacement)
-engine oil
-differential
-tranny
-coolant

I would not change over to conventional (green) coolant unless you see some sign of problems (sludge) with the Dex-Cool. Too many of us have had no problems at all with it, and it offers benefits to the cooling system.

Change filters and other devices:

-air filter
-tranny filter (if automatic)
-fuel filter
-PCV valve

Check serpentine belt for cracks.
Check all radiator and heater hoses for signs of cracking.

Check the top of the throttle body for oil accumulation (under the plate with 6 screws). If its there, remove throttle body and clean it, including main bores and IAC passages. If there's oil in the TB, there will be oil in the line from the passenger side valve cover. Clean it out.

Check the bottom of the water pump for signs of leakage at the weep holes. If its dripping, it might soon damage the distributor.

Check all vacuum lines for cracks.

Clean up the engine compartment as much as you can, but do NOT spray water on it. Many people see serious problems with the distributor after "washing down" the engine. Make every effort to protect the Optispark distributor from water.

Might be time for a brake fluid change out.

[shadyphi]

Change ALL fluids:

-oil filter (use an "oversize" replacement)
-engine oil
-differential
-tranny
-coolant

I would not change over to conventional (green) coolant unless you see some sign of problems (sludge) with the Dex-Cool. Too many of us have had no problems at all with it, and it offers benefits to the cooling system.

Change filters and other devices:

-air filter
-tranny filter (if automatic)
-fuel filter
-PCV valve

Check serpentine belt for cracks.
Check all radiator and heater hoses for signs of cracking.

Check the top of the throttle body for oil accumulation (under the plate with 6 screws). If its there, remove throttle body and clean it, including main bores and IAC passages. If there's oil in the TB, there will be oil in the line from the passenger side valve cover. Clean it out.

Check the bottom of the water pump for signs of leakage at the weep holes. If its dripping, it might soon damage the distributor.

Check all vacuum lines for cracks.

Clean up the engine compartment as much as you can, but do NOT spray water on it. Many people see serious problems with the distributor after "washing down" the engine. Make every effort to protect the Optispark distributor from water.

Might be time for a brake fluid change out.

Thanks Injuneer! You-da-man