My 98 Integra LS is due for it's 60k mile service. Keep in mind that I didn't get my 30k mile service, but I did the essentials such as replacing spark plugs and changing my tranny fluid. I currently use Mobil 1 with Redline MTL. I'm not mechanically inclined nor do I have the tools so I send my car to the shop except for oil changes which I do myself and I replaced the spark plugs by myself too.

I don't race, though occasionally redline. I'm lowered on H&R Sport springs with 17" rims on stock shocks.

I really don't have the money so I will have to do it in parts. But I don't know how to priortize. Which one would you deem as more important over others?

1) My brakes have started to squeal a little. I'm thinking it needs replacement. I will use stock pads, but is it necessary for the dealer to resurface the rotors? --this makes it more expensive, since pads itself are cheaper.

2) The shocks are starting to go bad I think. Probably needs replacement. I will get the Koni Adjustables or the KYB Adjustables (whichever is cheaper without sacrificing too much on performance). I want to put this last on the list since it's expensive (parts & labor to install)

3) Valve adjustment. I haven't gotten this done yet. Is this bad for the engine?

4) Tranny fluid - should I replace again? relatively inexpensive.

5) Spark plugs -inexpensive and I can do this myself so I will definitely replace.

6) Fuel filter - is this important to replace?

7) Camber - I have slight negative camber. I already have a camber kit, but no money to install just yet. I have no tire wear, but then again, I'm riding on new tires too.

8) Fuel Injection Service - is this necessary?

9) Brake fluid - is this necessary to replace or do I just check the level?

I don't know what else I'm missing. Please feel free to add what is important to check or replace for 60k miles. I want to keep my car running smooth. Thanks!

-ben


[Modified by Fooman, 6:01 PM 10/24/2001]

 

For me, I would priortize it in the following way:
Valve Adjustment
Brakes (yes, turn the rotors, just like resurfacing a flywheel, give a new surface for the new pads.)
Do the fluid when you do the rest of the brake system.
Fuel Filter
The rest is a toss up for me...


Jason

 

definately valve clearance adjustment first.

...then brakes. If your rotors aren't completely smooth, the new pads will wear unevenly.

Reminds me...think I'll do my valves tomorrow, I'm at 55K miles.

 

1) Valve Adjustment
2) Brakes
3) Spark Plugs
4) Brake Fluid
5) Tranny Fluid
6) Camber (as an alternative, just get a wheel alignment)
7) Fuel Filter
8) Shocks
9) Fuel Injection Service
10) Tool set

 

Prioritize like this:
60k means
1) water pump and timing belt
all else comes after that.
with simple hand tools and some time you can prob do the rest in a day, except for the shocks. get the KYB's, they are cheaper, and would work perfect for your setup, (i have the exact same spring/shock combo).
brake pads and rotors you can do by yourself pretty easily
valve adjust, you could do that too, and save the $108 that the dealer charges
brake fluid, just leave it alone
for fuel injection service, get some chevron techron from pepboys or the like, dump it in, go fill up on premium gas, and go driving! seriously, take your car out, and rag on it...its all the injector service you'll ever need.
spark plugs, its only $10, change em
fuel filter, let the dealer handle it...its not hard, but prob not something you'd wanna do.

Tom

 

huh, I thought timing belt and water pump was supposed to be replaced at 90k. That's what I heard. But I replaced my timing belt, water pump, seals at 53k.

I was gonna do the 60k maintenance service at an acura dealership for about 380 bucks. This includes valve adjustment, new sparkplugs, rotate tires(?), change tranny oil.......what else, I can't think of any others...

Should I do these seperately, rather than at an Acura dealership?
I know that dealerships rape you, but I think this was the safest way.
Any input?

Btw, how easy is installing spark plugs? Any directions?

 

that fuel injector service DIY, it's called chevron w/techron fuel injector fluid, or what is it called. about how much does it run?, do you put it in with an empty tank then fill up?

 

Here's my thought on brakes. Go aftermarket with pads, they're probably cheaper than OEM. I'd suggest Hawk or AEM. To me, rotors are a wear item. If they are warped, throw them out and put on new ones. Turning a rotor reduces material, which increases heat, which increases the rate of rotor warpage. The only reason they turn rotors is because people in general think it saves them money. As an example, the dealer quoted me $150 to turn my front rotors. I replaced them myself with Brembos for $60.

 

Has any1 used Chevron Techron before? Is it recommended or reliable for our engines?

 

Go poke your heads around the dealer service bays, im sure you'll find some empty bottles of techron lying around. its perfectly safe.

Tom

 

I use Techron all the time in all my vehicles. They're healthy. In my CRX when it was not so healthy, Techron actually helped the gas mileage a tad. I keep track of mileage at every fillup on a notepad so I have a good idea of how my car is doing.

One thing I wonder about dealers and shops doing valve adjustments is that the motor should be cold. That usually takes quite a few hours.

 

Yep, they will need your car for hours. I wrote about this before, but when I took my car to dealer for valve adjustment, they DID NOT want to do it. What they did was pop open my hood, listened to my engine, then told me to go home. They said I don't need it.

 

I made an appt tomorrow for the valve adjustment. The dealer here charges $77.00. I wonder if my car will run better after this is done since I didn't get it done back at 30k miles. (btw, my car runs well already). Is there a part that needs to be replaced or is it just a matter of adjusting something?

Also, what is the water pump for?

 

you're supposed to use it on an empty or close to empty tank right? then drive your card hard to "flush" out the injection system?
never used techron before and i'm doing my 60K service today.


[Modified by EminemGSR, 2:06 PM 10/25/2001]

 

put the techron in on an empty tank right before you fill up. fill the tank up, then drive like a bat outta hell to get those injectors working hard!

some might know this as the "italian tune-up"

Tom

 

hahaha

 

my 95 ls just hit 60k, and i'm completely ignorant when it comes to engines, so i'm going to need to take it into the dealer and have them do a full check on it.

are there any aftermarket parts i should buy that i can have them install instead(better sparks, brakes, etc) of OEM that'll be better? should i bother, or just take it in and tell em to do their stuff?

thanks

 

Can someone please explain to me what a "valve adjustment" really does?

WHAT is actually done when doing a "valve adjustment"?

 

yeah me too - i'm lame, what does the valve adjustment accomplish, and more importantly, when do you know you need one?