Routine Maintenance

[PULLY6]

Hey all,
When is the 'Routine Maintenance' section of the website going to be up? I'd love a comprehensive article detailing a routine service - I'm sick to death of paying a mechanic seventy-something dollars an hour to get his apprentice to service MY car, which I know I could do myself.

In my old '82 Corolla a service was easy - change the oil, swap the filter out, check the timing, and rip the sparky's out to check em. I'd love to do the same on the EL but I'm worried about missing something and it costing my thousands.

Does anyone know/can anyone help?

Cheers peoples!
Michael.

[RG]

Mate it's fairly simple to do on the EL's for just the basic stuff like oil, oil filter and plugs. Just do them as you usually would but be careful of the sump plug and don't overtighten it. I have seen a few rip straight out of the sump, which is made out of pretty **** weak tin, because of overtightening. You will probably also need a strap type oil filter puller because of it's location. Most auto shops stock these. It would be handy to have the hints and tips and maybe some more involved stuff up on the site though.

[chelvdog]

I generally go by this plan:

Oil & filter every 5000kms (or every 3 months)
Coolant every 12 months
Air Filter every 6 months
Spark Plugs every 6 months
Brake Fluid every 12 months
Trans fluid and filter every 12 months

I'm pretty strict on the oil changes, especially in an engine that's done over 100,000kms.

[PULLY6]

ah nice one, cheers guys
are the titanium-iridum-thingy spark plugs worth having?

[SileNceR]

I do oil every 5000, but oil filter ever 10000...

tend to use good oil (penrite hpr30 here) and a decent filter (purolator) too...

depends on personal preference tho.

[needturbo6]

i use a metal type oil filer removal tool, its got a 3/8 drive socket and it makes changing the oil filter a piece of ****, strap tools arnt the easiest on a 4L

the iridium plugs are very good, but will set you back ~$90+ a set. which is what i got my motorcraft denso ones for. they also are supposed to last for 100,000kms.

i also use purolator filters are they are excellent. oil every 5000km but i also do filter too as new oil will only get contaminated and keeps shit in the motor, depends what ya wont from the motor really. if the cost of a purolator worrys ya just get a motorcraft one as there only $5 or something.

[Psycho Chicken]

Agree with that, the metal clawed filter tools shit all over traditional ones, especially on Falcons.

You should do oil and filter at the same time.

[Walkinshaw]

I saved my self the $4 that a metal claw remover costs and just smashed a screwdriver through the existing filter.

I do oil+ filters every 5000km and sparkies when neaded. The last ones were coated in 1mm of unburnt fuel+carbon, so they just got replaced.

[Psycho Chicken]

Screwdrivers work, but I find them a bit messy :P

Plus I can claim my tool on tax and I use it at work anyway.

[Walkinshaw]

Suppose it cost $690 as well?

[PULLY6]

hahaha nice one walkinshaw! to hell with the expense - i think i'll just spring for a claw oil filter removal tool :P

[Psycho Chicken]

Originally Posted by Walkinshaw

Suppose it cost $690 as well?

lol it was cheaper than that and it's even Strap On!

[Damo]

I use my hand to remove the filter.


But i'm sooper tuff.