The_Honda_Guy

I've got a few simple questions here for you guys. How many months or at what mileage do you change your -

Spark plug wires (30,000?)
Distributor cap (30,000?)
Distributor rotor (30,000?)
PCV valve (30,000?)
Perform a Seafoam session or fuel induction service (30,000?)
Replace belts (75,000?)
Replace radiator cap (every cooling system flush and fill?)
Replace thermostat (every cooling system flush and fill?)
Lubricate locks, hinges, and window tracks (?)

steerh67

You are going to get a lot of varied answers do to the differnces in parts that people buy. You're best bet would be to buy a repair manual, that will give you suggested times to replace all of those items, as well as show you how to do it.

Twixle

Oil and filter, top off fluids every 3K. Wires, plugs, cap, rotor every 30K. Belts and timing components at 60K. Other than that, I don't replace it if it's not broken.

A_Rotary_Guy

Yea, I have the repair manual, but some of the things just seemed goofy with it. It seemed like the maintainence intervals were pretty short.

I've never heard of replacing wires, cap, rotor, and PCV valve every 30k. Usually those pieces seem to last a lot longer than that. I guess if that's what the manual recommends though it's probably a good idea to change them then.

I don't replace belts until they start cracking, which seems to generally be around 75k. But then again I've got the Gatorback belts now, which generally last longer.

The radiator cap and thermostat weren't listed as maintainence items in the repair manual, so I figured replacing them when you flushed the cooling system was a good idea.

Timing belt and waterpump at 60k? Doesn't that seem a little premature? Honda has recommended it be at 90k for years and years and the repair manual echos that.

Targa250R

Well first off, it would help if you mentioned the year and model. Suggested tune up intervals depend on the year. '01-02 models use platinum plugs and have a suggested tune up interval of 105,000 miles. '90-00 models should have the cap, rotor, plugs, PCV valve, fuel filter, and air filter changed every 30,000 miles. Wires really don't need to be replaced until 105,000.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by A_Rotary_Guy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I don't replace belts until they start cracking, which seems to generally be around 75k. But then again I've got the Gatorback belts now, which generally last longer.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Goodyear Gatorback and Dayco Poly Cog belts are awful. They are poor quality, about the consistency of a rubber band, and tend to squeal a LOT. You'll want to stick with Bando or Mitsuboshi belts for a Honda. Continental Contitech belts aren't quite as good as the Bandos, but are much better than Gatorbacks.

In addition, the accessory drive belts don't need changed until you change the timing belt and water pump at 105,000 miles or 8 years.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The radiator cap and thermostat weren't listed as maintainence items in the repair manual, so I figured replacing them when you flushed the cooling system was a good idea.</TD></TR></TABLE>
It is a good idea. The coolant really doesn't need to be changed until you replace the water pump at 105,000 miles though.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Timing belt and waterpump at 60k? Doesn't that seem a little premature? Honda has recommended it be at 90k for years and years and the repair manual echos that.</TD></TR></TABLE>
60,000 miles was the interval for '89 and older Accords.

Timing belts should be changed every 105,000 miles or 8 years, whichever comes first. It is very important to change them on time in an F-series engine, because you will bend valves if it breaks. When you replace the timing belt, you should also replace the balance shaft belt, timing and balance shaft belt tensioners, water pump, balance shaft seal and retainer, camshaft seal, accessory drive belts, and coolant. You save a lot of money and labor time by changing all of these items at once.

A_Rotary_Guy

The car is a 97 Civic DX MTX.

I have had nothing but luck with the Goodyear belts and haven't had any problems with them. In fact, I tend to see them last longer than traditional belts. I haven't noticed any squeel with them at all. But yes, I'll be replacing at the same time as the next water pump and timing belt service.

Coolant generally doesn't NEED to be changed until you do the water pump and timing belt, but IMO that's too long to be running the same coolant. Even long life coolant has a limit of 100,000 miles or 5 years. I wouldn't change it if the Hayne's manual and the Honda service manual didn't recommend changing it every 30,000 miles or 2 years. In addition, I'll just change the radiator cap and thermostat at the same time as the coolant.

Why 105,000 miles? The Honda service manual and the Hayne's manual both say 90,000 miles, and I've heard from numerous Honda technicians 90,000 miles is the usual. I know to change all those items on the F series engines, but thanks for the heads up. Obviously the F series engines aren't freewheeling engines, but are the D series engines?

The_Honda_Guy

Well, here's what I came up with for a tune up guide:

Civic tune-up schedule (started at 124,000 miles)

@127,000 miles or in March 2008(every 3,000 miles or 3 months)

Oil filter
Oil drain and fill

@130,000 miles or May 2008 (every 6,000 miles or 6 months)

Rotate tires

@ 139,000 miles or January 2009 (every 15,000 miles or 12 months)

Perform valve lash adjustment
Valve cover gasket
Spark plug oil tube seals
Valve cover grommets
Clean K&N air filter

@ 154,000 miles or January 2010 (every 30,000 miles or 24 months)

Fuel induction and de-carb service
Remove and clean IACV
Remove and clean throttle body
Spark plugs
Spark plug wires
Distributor cap
Distributor rotor
PCV valve
Fuel filter
Coolant flush and fill
Radiator cap
Thermostat
Bleed and fill clutch system
Transmission drain and fill

@ 180,000 miles or January 2012 (every 90,000 miles or 72 months)

Replace timing belt
Replace water pump
A/C compressor belt
Alternator belt

Anything that I might be missing?