Just a quck question for all the mechanics out there. My car is 98 EJ6 Hatch, has 97,400 miles on it. I don't have another vehicle to drive or I would attempt repairs myself. So I'm brining it in to the dealership I work at for repairs.

First off this is what I'm getting done to my car:
Timing Belt
Tensioner Kit
Head Gasket Kit
Water Pump

And my question is, what else should I be replacing to keep the engine in good running condition? I guess I just need to know if there are any other parts that will soon be going bad (or possibly going bad) with 97k+ miles on the car. I know it might be silly to put all this into my car now, but I need to save money toward a new car, and what better way to save than to not have a car payment.

 

You shouldn't have to worry about your headgasket unless it's leaking.

But other than the timing belt kit, I'd change your transmission fluid/oil

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by JKov240 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">You shouldn't have to worry about your headgasket unless it's leaking.

But other than the timing belt kit, I'd change your transmission fluid/oil</TD></TR></TABLE>

Well I was reading and searching threads about this over heating problem I've been having, and all the answers and reply's were pointing toward the head gasket. So I figured while it's in the shop I'd get a gasket kit and have the tech replace w/e he can while he's in there. I'd rather be safe and put one on than have it blow after I pay to have a timing belt and water pump installed.

 

did you try a new thermostat first?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by mikeycivic &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">did you try a new thermostat first?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yeah, didn't do anything, having the same problem.

 

what exactly is the overheating issue?

 

When I'm idling, like sitting in bumper to bumper traffic, or at a long stop light...after the car is warmed up. The temperature increases pretty fast, I have to turn the heat on to keep it from over heating. I checked my fan and it's kicking on, and had the thermostat replaced. Still does it though.

 

you might have bad radiator, I had a car that was fine when driving and heat was on but when I stopped at lights or sat in traffic, needle went to hella hot. Replace the rad b4 you spend 400 bucks on a hg

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by mikeycivic &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">you might have bad radiator, I had a car that was fine when driving and heat was on but when I stopped at lights or sat in traffic, needle went to hella hot. Replace the rad b4 you spend 400 bucks on a hg </TD></TR></TABLE>

Yeah maybe I'll try that first, see if it still happens. As of now I'm going to be paying $520 in labor for all of the stuff listed above. And parts I bought on my own, they were like $215 total. I can get a radiator for cheap, so maybe I'll see if that's the problem.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by WihaSi &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Yeah maybe I'll try that first, see if it still happens. As of now I'm going to be paying $520 in labor for all of the stuff listed above. And parts I bought on my own, they were like $215 total. I can get a radiator for cheap, so maybe I'll see if that's the problem.</TD></TR></TABLE>

All I'm saying is that if your headgasket needed to be replaced, you would have a lot more problems aside from not having heat, GL

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by mikeycivic &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

All I'm saying is that if your headgasket needed to be replaced, you would have a lot more problems aside from not having heat, GL</TD></TR></TABLE>

I have heat...I just don't want the head gasket to blow and cost me way more money than the car is worth. That's the only reason I was thinking about putting new gaskets on it.