Hi, new user here. I've been reading quite a few posts which have raised a few concerns on my part.
I have owned a '94 J30T since new. I am NOT very knowledgeable about car stuff but I have always been very careful to change the oil every 3k miles and have taken it to the dealer for their recommended service every 15k miles.
The car only has 61k miles on it but it is now 10 years old. I just recently had the transmission fluid replaced (flushed?) for the first time. After reading some posts here it sounds like I'm way behind schedule on that but I was going by the owner's manual.
The timing belt has not been changed and I wonder if I should do it soon? I thought the dealer told me to wait for 100k but I see people here doing it at 80k, and maybe age plays a part as well as mileage?
I'm only driving it about 4k miles per year now and I plan on keeping this car for a LONG time and so I'm hoping for some advice on what I should be doing to help it survive.
Lately I've been hearing from a few different sources that the car dealership is not the place to go for service. I had always assumed that they would be the most knowledgeable about it.
Anyway, any thoughts would be appreciated, especially related to timing belt and transmission.
Thank you!
J30T Maintenance Questions
There is a ton of info on this site. It can be overwhelming. If your dealer gives you good service keep going to them but your biggest ally will the knowlegde you gain here.
There is a bit of discrepancy about the 94 year. 95 and up had a kevlar belt good for 105k miles. Some say the 94 was a split run with the old belt and new, the old one needing replacing at 60k.
Do search on J30 timing belts. There are many things that can and should be done at the same time. Belts, hoses, thermostat, cam seals, and idler pulley.
4k per year would come under extreme use criteria. Follow the manual for that kind of use. With your low miles, time becomes the overriding factor. Cooling system is integral to the life of the car so do some research on that aspect. Rubber parts wear out sitting in oxygen. Fluids get "stale" and lose their effectiveness be it lubrication or corrosion prevention.
I look at at a car like a human body in terms of major components. Heart = engine, lungs = transmission, liver = cooling, etc. Begin thinking of the major components and begin preventive maintenance. Anything you do at this stage will keep your beauty running for years and years.
Lots to learn here and welcome to the club.
There is a bit of discrepancy about the 94 year. 95 and up had a kevlar belt good for 105k miles. Some say the 94 was a split run with the old belt and new, the old one needing replacing at 60k.
Do search on J30 timing belts. There are many things that can and should be done at the same time. Belts, hoses, thermostat, cam seals, and idler pulley.
4k per year would come under extreme use criteria. Follow the manual for that kind of use. With your low miles, time becomes the overriding factor. Cooling system is integral to the life of the car so do some research on that aspect. Rubber parts wear out sitting in oxygen. Fluids get "stale" and lose their effectiveness be it lubrication or corrosion prevention.
I look at at a car like a human body in terms of major components. Heart = engine, lungs = transmission, liver = cooling, etc. Begin thinking of the major components and begin preventive maintenance. Anything you do at this stage will keep your beauty running for years and years.
Lots to learn here and welcome to the club.
-
cweberj30t
- Posts: 457
- Joined: Sun Oct 05, 2003 7:24 pm
- Car: 1993 J30t
2003 G35
2007 G35X
2011 G37X
I just had the timing belt and accessory belts replaced as well as the water pump and thermostat at 80k. The timing belt tensioner was so worn, I could move it with my hand. The later models (1995-97) had kevlar reinforced belts. Not sure if 94 was split, but better to be safe than sorry. If that belt goes, so does your engine.
-
J-Owner
- Posts: 484
- Joined: Fri Dec 27, 2002 10:38 am
- Car: 2010 FX35 owner and former owner of an '05 G35 Coupe and a '95 J30T.
Just to rehash, if you change the timing belt, do the timing belt tensioner, idler pulleys, water pump, thermostat, etc. doing all of this at the same time, whether it needs it is cheaper because they will have everything taken apart and will have to be done at some point anyway. You can save on labor.
Also, the dealer isn't always bad but they are most of the time more expensive. I have 95% of my work done at the dealer, but if it is something major I have an independent shop that I trust and in some cases I price the two and go with who is cheaper.
again, my 2 cents!
Also, the dealer isn't always bad but they are most of the time more expensive. I have 95% of my work done at the dealer, but if it is something major I have an independent shop that I trust and in some cases I price the two and go with who is cheaper.
again, my 2 cents!