If it ain't broke, fix it????

[Pathy415]

Just as the title says.

I know general maintenance items are pretty much a must (ie engine oil/filter, brake fluid, coolant etc.). I'm curious about items like radiator, hoses, alternator, drive belts. Does anyone change these on a "regular basis" as a form of preventative maintenance.

For example, before a radiator springs a leak would you just change it out, say, at a 10 year interval regardless if the radiator was still functioning as it should? How about the hoses? I looked at mine and don't see any cracks or bulging. Drive belts look fine and my alternator still charges the battery as it should.

Basically is there a time interval that people replace these or do you wait until you're stranded somewhere or something breaks ?

[Pathfound49]

Hoses and belts. YES. I consider them regular maintenance items. If it is under $25 and easy to replace, do it.

[Chuck Tribolet]

If it hasn't been done before, you are due for hoses and belts due to age.

How many miles? Timing belt is about 100K mile item on yours, and REALLY expensive if it fails.

Radiator, alternator, you leave alone until they fail. I've got 197,000 miles on my original radiator and alternator.

[Pathy415]

The truck has 112,xxx miles and the timing belt,water pump and tensioner was done at 74,xxx miles so those should be fine. The belts for the alternator, P/S, water pump were done the same time the timing belt was done.

I looked at the hoses and didn't see any bulging or cracks but better safe than sorry to go ahead and change them huh?

[Densetsu]

I can easily inspect belts and hoses, so I change them when they look worn or feel old. Other major parts usually give you hints before they completely drop dead. A radiator will make your vehicle overheat easier and easier as it clogs up with rust; a dying alternator will usually give you electrical problems before it completely goes dead.

I can't easily inspect the inside of the crankcase, transmission, differentials, transfer case, radiator, etc. So I'll change their respective fluids and filters on a regular basis.

Basically is there a time interval that people replace these or do you wait until you're stranded somewhere or something breaks ?

There was a time that I used to carry around things like a rad hose, serpentine belt, thermostat, etc in my trunk when I drove around in case I broke down. I never had to use them, so I just stopped buying those parts "just in case". Besides, with cell phone coverage getting better and better, there are very few places where you wouldn't be able to get a tow truck.

[Pathy415]

Well, I've changed all the fluids and filters. The only thing I haven't done are the accessory belts and hoses. Once I get those done I'd love to take a long state to state trip

[ARKQX33V6]

The power steering fluid, rad and coolant fluid, the diffs, automatic and manual transmission, 2 speed transfer case...all are good habits to get into for routine changes.

Radiator should use long life 5 year and be tested each year and look inside the rad for plaque build up at the fins, if none, good but if there clean and change. The rad needs to be washed externally, very carefully and inspected.

As does the main cooling fan, cleaned and examined, is the clutch system OK.

The belts other than timing belt will show evidence of wear and that wear will last a long time, if neglected. Twist the belt in your hand, can you see cracks, worn edges? How does it feel

A timing belt if you have one on an interference engine is critical to change by time and distance because these belts wear and THERE IS NO INDICATION THAT IT IS BREAKING. These interference engines will self destruct depending on speed at time of belt breakage and the cost of a timing belt and installation is cheap compared to a new or rebuilt engine.

Rubber deteriorates, so do ignition HT ignition cables, keep them clean by wiping with a soft cloth and use nothing, no sprays, no solvents, nothing, no insulators. Sprays have a tendency to stick, work into the material and over time with humidity and dirty engine air make a muck that is highly conductive on a wire that must be highly insulative.

An over looked problem is the distributor, internally and externally. It must be cleaned, air blown every other year and a lot of ignition problems will go away.

[Chuck Tribolet]

The rad takes 50:50 Antifreeze and DISTILLED water. The distilled water will prevent stalagmites from growing in the rad
from hard water. Don't put tap water in the rad (unless you have a tap that gives distilled/dionized water -- there was one
on the outside of the Chemistry building in college, and my roommate's GF's dad was a Chem prof and told us about it.)

[Pathy415]

All the fluids have been changed. The car is only 2WD so no worries about the transfer case. I didn't know that about the distributor, car has started fine for a little over a year that Ive owned it (I recently swapped the cap/rotor). I usually either use pre-mixed anitfreeze or I buy distilled at the local market.

The belts, including timing belt were changed at 74K miles as mentioned above.

I'll probably perform a more thorough undercarriage inspection (various lines, bushings etc) when I have time.

Thanks for the input!