30k Maintenance Questions

[Tnwagn]

Alright, my car's coming up on a 30k service here pretty soon and I have a few questions. First, let me just post what I have as need to be done at a 30k service

Change Engine Oil & Filter
Change Tranny Fluid
Replace Fuel Filter
Replace Air Filter
Replace Spark Plugs
Replace Distributor cap, rotor and inspect wires
Set ignition timing and adjust cambelt
Replace brake fluid, check hoses & lines
Adjust parking brake
Replace clutch fluid, clutch operation, adjust freeplay
Adjust all belts & inspect power steering fluid
Replace engine coolant & check hoses belts
Adjust alternator belt
Rotate tire and balance
Lube door, hood latches and hinges
Inspect crankcase emissions
Inspect front & rear pads, rotors and calipers
Inspect suspension mounting bolts for tightness
Inspect exhaust system
Inspect tire wear and set tire pressure
Inspect battery and clean terminals
Inspect valve clearance
Check wiper blades and windshield washer fluid

I'm really wondering about some of the things that are on this list. That majority of the things listed I can do easily at home and save a ton of money. However, there are a few things that I would have to have a shop do.

Inspect valve clearance
The only "check" that I'm iffy about. For those that have done this before, how difficult is it? I've read the manual on the procedure and it seems somewhat involved. Is this something that really can get moved around over time or is this just a point added by Honda to cover their asses?

Replace Distributor cap, rotor and inspect wires
Inspecting it I don't see any kind of large amount of wear and tear so can I wait to replace this or should I do it anyway.

Set ignition timing and adjust cambelt
I don't have a timing gun, so if this really needs to be done it would have to be done by a shop. Is it necessary?


So there are my questions. I'm really hesitant to take the car to Honda for a $300 service when all I'm really getting is about $50-$70 worth of parts and fluids which I can easily change myself. However, if some of the things I mentioned really do need be checked/service would it be possible for me to do the rest of the maintenance and have Honda only do those few things?

Thanks for the help.

[Tnwagn]

Any ideas?

[Night Wolf]

the wagon? (O__o)!

[Tnwagn]

the wagon? (O__o)!

Let me clarify

30k service as in, it's been 30k since the last major maintenance. It's at 203xxx or so.

Nah, if this shit just had 30k on the clock I wouldn't drive it

[Potatoswatter]

Most of those things aren't exactly urgent. If you want to learn things and save money, do what you can when you have free time .

Were all these things done 30k ago? If not, then some might be overdue anyway.

For sure replace the air filter and get/do an oil change.

Tranny fluid flush is only recommended every 75k. But you should top it off. Spark plugs are longer-lasting these days, likewise 30k is too short.

If you're running perfectly smooth and getting 24+ mpg, and the distributor looks fine, the distributor and timing OK.

Valve clearance should only get messed up by some trauma, like a misfire or impact. Wouldn't worry about it, unless it's never been checked and/or your engine isn't running well.

[Tnwagn]

Alright, thanks man.

[Potatoswatter]

Oh, but I cleaned my plugs at 30k and got some gunk off. I can't say I noticed much improvement, but anyway. You can also try indexing them if you're adventurous. Here's the first Google result: http://www.ehow.com/how_2001164_index-spark-plugs.html

[batever]

It's a dealer style checklist, so most of the stuff on your list is in the category of "when you check it out it'll be fine, but it's worth checking". There's no necessity to do any of it. But the dealership would check it all to keep customers' cars running in perfect condition, on the off chance some of was necessary.

Valve clearances do creep over time and use, but actually my car went at least 100K before I adjusted mine.

It's not a hard job to do yourself.

If your engine is running well and you're getting good gas mileage there's probably no pressing need to check the engine timing.

I'd say if you're strapped for cash, just make sure the fluids are topped off and put a new air filter on--yourself. If it's been a few years since your last distributor cap change, change the cap and rotor out. Or not if you're short on cash. If you start experiencing running or starting problems, change the dist. cap at that point.

Incidentally, I get 30mpg average on my 92 5 spd manual dx. Auto trannys get less but anything less than 25 mpg is suspect as far as I'm concerned.


I would check the brake pads and change those out if they are worn, and bleed the brake system. I would also make sure my tires were in good shape too.

Other than that, you can probably skip the rest of it.