Basic Tune Up - List - Missing Things?

[onosqv]

Well it's that time of year (actually it's been a couple) that I need to tune up my car again cuz I've been experience odd little problems here and there. This time around, I'm going to try to do my own tune up instead of taking it to the mechanic.

I was planning on doing the seafoam treatment -

So, after that, will be doing

oil change (w/ mobil 1 40w I think... gotta look at the other post a member told me)oil filter (nippon oem)air filter clean w/ k&n recharge kitchange pcv valve (oem)o2 sensor (ngk)spark plugs (ngk)plug wires (ngk)distributor capdistributor rotorfuel filter upgrade to 300zx filterMAF clean w/ alcohol

Then I was planning on doing a automatic transmission fluid flush @ a local auto shop because they only charge $70 and have the machine that literally flushes your trans fluid not just drain and fill.

So, how does that sound to you guys. Should ther be anything else I should do?

Going to be doing this by end of the month after my finals.

GRADUATING CLASS OF 2004 BABY!!!!!!

[fiznat]

hmmm, check out your brake pads and rotors, think about maybe flushing the coolant, check the gaskets in your headlights and sunroof, small things that you havnt looked at in forever... uhmm make sure your battery is in good shape, check through your trunk and make sure you have jumper cables and the emergency jack, top off the washer fluid, check the brake fluid, wiper blades, and all lights and lamps on the car.

...lol, if you really wanted to go crazy...

[onosqv]

hmmm, check out your brake pads and rotors, think about maybe flushing the coolant, check the gaskets in your headlights and sunroof, small things that you havnt looked at in forever... uhmm make sure your battery is in good shape, check through your trunk and make sure you have jumper cables and the emergency jack, top off the washer fluid, check the brake fluid, wiper blades, and all lights and lamps on the car.

...lol, if you really wanted to go crazy...

I was thinking about doing a coolant flush too. That's probably something I will take to a shop to do. Does anyone know the coolant flush process and where to dispose the coolant afterwards (does Kragen or PepBoys take that stuff)?

I actually have already checked my brake pads and rotors, and they're on they're way out, hahaha. They have about a few months left on the front and the back were just replaced with OEM pads about a few months ago. I am planning on saving money up for a brembo or other type of brake/big brake upgrade.

I just replaced my battery terminals earlier last month because my car went crazy (bad case of installing fog lights and overtorquing ). Now negative terminal is black and positive is red, hoo hoo, color coordination.

I'll add your list of things to check along with mine once I compile it. I'll be on summer, so I'll check EVERYTHING on my car. hehe, thanks.

[fiznat]

lol while we're going crazy then:

-new belts (ooh forgot this one earlier)-tires?-vaccum lines, heater/rad hoses in good shape?-perhaps add some lucas oil stab. if you have high miles?-Maybe seafoam the engine? (theres a thread about this here somewhere)-what about tie rods, and ends?-any other broken down bushings? motor mounts solid?-people say it doesnt do much, but injector cleaner?-power steering fluid lookin good?-water pump/alt/starter all in good shape?

I know theres more... Theres always room for going overboard with cars hehe

[onosqv]

lol while we're going crazy then:

-new belts (ooh forgot this one earlier)-tires?-vaccum lines, heater/rad hoses in good shape?-perhaps add some lucas oil stab. if you have high miles?-Maybe seafoam the engine? (theres a thread about this here somewhere)-what about tie rods, and ends?-any other broken down bushings? motor mounts solid?-people say it doesnt do much, but injector cleaner?-power steering fluid lookin good?-water pump/alt/starter all in good shape?

I know theres more... Theres always room for going overboard with cars hehe

Check. .

Hmmm, is it easy to replace belts? I'm assuming these are the belts that are connected to the pulley right behind the mechanical fan.

Where will I add lucas oil stab, directly into the engine oil where i put the oil for the oil change?

Will I need special tools and equipment to change the motor mounts, I know my motor mounts are pretty shot.

[fiznat]

very easy to replace belts... and you're right about the location. there are 3: alt, ac, and power steering. there are tensioners that you loosen, and the belts slide right on and off.... course, on old S13s this can cause problems with rusty bolts etc etc.. a little PB Blaster goes a long way.

Lucas is added directly to the engine oil when you do your regular oil change, just pour it in...

I dont think youre gonna need anything special to change the mounts, it's probably just a pain in the arse (Ive never done it on a s13)... You'll need something to slightly lift and support the engine/transmission (like an engine crane), but this can be done without the proper tools if you're creative enough heeh (did I just say that?! sshhh!)

good luck dude!

[onosqv]

Cool, thanks for all your input.

For the belts: How do I know when I tighten them back up that they are tight enough?

Thanks

[SeVa-S13]

With new belts, tighten them until they don't have much play in them at all. It's more of a feel thing, I suck at describing things over the internet. But once the new belts are on, you should check them in a week or so, depending on how much you drive, and check if they need to be re-tightened now that they've settled and got some use on them.

Good luck.

[Cold_Zero]

1. Wiper Fluid2. Differential Fluid (if applicable)3. A/C Coolant Check4. Clean out the airbox and resonator box in the intake.5 Inspect the throttle body and clean (if needed)6. Clean Fuel Injectors7. A/T filter (if you car has a filter)8. Inspect valve cover gasket

[ricebike]

Then I was planning on doing a automatic transmission fluid flush @ a local auto shop because they only charge $70 and have the machine that literally flushes your trans fluid not just drain and fill.

ya, but i believe this is a reverse-flush type of deal, not including auto filter/pan gasket change...

******d/l that FSM for the 89-90 that a member has on his server before it closes down again!!! <if u don't have it already>******

for the heck of it, see if there are any trouble codes stored in the ECU b4 goin' ahead

plan in stages-- cheap n easy to shop...

before changing these things out <<<change pcv valve (oem)o2 sensor (ngk)spark plugs (ngk)>>>

consider seafoamin' your engine, then oil change & proceed...

w/ coolant flush, i'd drain radiator, drain block, flush w/ a chemical, then drain, flush w/ water, drain, flush w/ distilled water, drain, fill w/ 50:50 coolant:distilled water mix <i used orange/GM dexcool> n changed over hoses & belts @ the same time... throw in a new rad cap n t-stat.

good to bleed brakes of old fluid < i like valvoline synthetic dot3/4> but since you're planning an upgrade, this can wait...

definitely change your diff fluid w/ mobil synthetic 80W90...

there's alot more & it can become a $pit

[onosqv]

Thanks a lot.

Yes, I was planning on doing the seafoam before replacing things, that's where I got the idea for replacing the sensors, sparks, etc. From that one post that got huuggeee replies (bookmarked).

I have an FSM, but it's for the CA version and not the KA. Adress of the server? .

Yea, there's no filter/gasket change. Would that be a hard thing to do, because I'm pretty sure my transmission needs a gasket change because I believe there is a little bit of fluid leaking.

Thanks again.

[ricebike]

red flashing search button on FSM...

hmm, ok w/ the transmission pan gasket /filter change; do that w/ 4 quarts of mercon/dexron, being careful not to over torque the bolts... drive around for a bit, then get the transmission reverse-flushed w/ all new fluid...

edit: found it!!! click on seva's reply in this thread; he's da man! :ylsuper

http://www.nissaninfiniticlub....t=FSM

i gotta d/l n burn this to a cdr since i misplaced mines...

also i've seen haynes type online manuals @ autozone too...

[Tx-Sx-FS]

is there a specific year that the 300zx fuel filter comes out of or any? i got an 89 sohc but thinking of changing to a 90 zx..will that work? what is the benefit of changing to zx filter??