I've read several of these threads/posts with questions about what to do at different maintenance intervals, and I've come to the realization that my car maybe should have fallen apart by now, but hasn't...

I've got 103K miles on my car, and aside from mods, and doing things that equate to some sort of performance gain (like new brake pads, new brake fluid/flush for example) or doing things because they were broke (replace master cylinder, broken wheel lug, etc.) the only thing besides changing my oil regularly that I've done is have the timing belt/water pump replaced. I think that's it - and I've had my car since it was at 40K miles.

So I've basically put 63K miles on it since I bought it from the dealer (they probably did a few minor tune-up things to it) and done not-much in the way of maintenance - am I just asking for trouble? I also race it at the track/autocross, and generally run it pretty hard on the street day-to-day. The thing is, the car seems to run really really well, seems very strong too, I out-run my roommate in his SI with only I/E.

The only thing that makes me "wonder" about the state of my engine is say, when I'm pulled up close to a wall, like at a fast food drive-through, where you can really hear the echo of your car - it sounds like my engine is kind of "clinkity and squeaky" to some degree. But then most cars do when you can hear the echo like that...

I guess when it comes down to it, I don't know what and where to look for problems before they happen, so it's like I feel like I'm just waiting for something to break. One prob is that I never got a manual that includes those check-up times. Any thoughts/recommendations on things I should be checking into? I've read several of the posts on things to do at 60K/90K etc, but I also don't want to spend money I really don't need to spend.

thanks for any advice! maybe I should sell it while I'm lucky? haha
(and sorry for the long post, I'm long-winded, I *know*)

 

well, despite what you might thing 103 isnt alot..but its not low millage either. It can bealot if the car is driven hard alot bug generally speaking its not bad. I would consider some basic tuenup stuff. Plugs, wires maybe, distributor cap, rotor, PCV valve, fuel filter, have a valve job or do it solo, hummmm. I cant think of anything else. Someone else add on if i missed anthing. But, do that stuff, should make it idle better, and possibly better gas millage. But if you dont plan on keeping the car that long dont bother.

 

I'll look into those things, thanks, I just hate to spend money on things when nothing seems to be broke Also, still not clear on valve adjustment and what exactly that does.

One thing I did forgot to mention is that I'm on my third OE radiator, the second going out 10K miles after it was installed. I hadn't done any racing at that point, but it does beg the question - is there something I've neglected to do with my car that may have led to that??

 

Timing belt should be replaced at every 90k miles. You shouldn't be cheap when in comes to taking care of your car.

If the timing belt rips or whatever, it can and will f**k up other parts as well.
So, better replace and play it safe.

And while you're at it, replacing the water pump is also recommended.
Spark plugs should be replaced every 30k miles.
Valve adjustment is every 30k.
List goes on...

 

umm...

 

I just had my LS engine rebuilt. Runs like a dream now. However I replaced the stock parts with the following It pulls real nice and hard at low RPM's actually, than really explodes up top. I really want to get some cams, just showing that an all motor LS CAN be made fast.

-ITR pistons
-ITR exhaust
-Port Polish head
-ACT clutch
-3 Angle valve job
-New Valves, guides and seats
-Milled head
-Crower Dual valve springs
-Titanium retainers
-MSD ignition
-Venom Inake Manifold
-RC 280cc injectors
-AEM fuel rail
-New Greddy Header
-Fluydline Radiator
-AEM cold air intake
-Big Bore ITR throttle body
-ITR FPR

 

had it dyno'd yet?

 

I've got 125K on mine. It's seen over 20 track weekends, 4 full seasons of autocrossing, and countless other instances of abuse. Here's what I've had problems with, and how I've fixed them.

1. Radiator. Damn plastic end tanks. replaced at 80K.

2. Valve guides. I get a good deal of smoke on track when I lift and when I shift. I'm told this is indicative of valve guide wear. Haven't addressed this yet. The engine still has ~7% leakdown across all four - given the life it's led, that's not bad.

3. Suspension wear items. I just went through the whole front end and replaced ball joints (upper arm and steering knuckle) and wheel bearings. The front left wheel bearing was toast and the ball joints, while not knocking, were all rather loose.

4. Make sure your valves are adjusted correctly. That might be the ticking you hear.

5. Power steering pump. Damn near every Integra I've ever seen has a little bit of wetness around the steering pump.

6. Ignition system problems. This one really frustrated the hell out of me. I had a wandering tach, a misfire, and eventually a dead car at the SCCA ProSolo in Petersburg this spring. It ended up being both the ignitor ($200) and the coil ($100).

7. Oil leaks. I'm starting to see some. Hard to tell where they're coming from at this point.

That's pretty much what I've run across in a car that leads a similar life. Unfortunately most of this has happened this year - so when stuff starts to crap out, my experience is that it craps out all at once.

Good luck, and don't rush to unload it just yet. It might be that you've beaten the car since you owned it, and now it's time to fix some worn out stuff.

 

103k miles eh, have you done a coolant flush or tranny fluid flush lately? mechanics tell me around after 100k miles on hondas the distributor starts to go out. but pretty much what other ppl has just posted like your timing belt, water pump, fuel filter, valve adjustment, your other belts like your power steering and god i forgot the other 2 belts down there, check if your piston rings are still good, compression test, do all your hoses look good as in are they getting fat in certain places? i think thats about it

 

Im waiting on some cams and to tune it a little before I hop on a dyno.

 

Yup, I'm on number 3, wish I had known wtf i was doing and got a better aftermarket one after the first died, but I was kind of stuck in Kansas City with no ride.

gf noticed this one day at the track as well, but that was before I ditched the rice-can muffler, so maybe that was it...

That seems to be the most popular thing I've heard people recommend, I'll have to have that done.

yup my mechanic noticed that on mine as well

had one of those on the left side of the valve cover, near where the distributor cap is, had it patched with some sort of "goo" - it's not a pretty sight, but it worked, haha.

thx for all the advice!

 

I forgot to mention camshaft seals. They leak and can fool you into thinking the oil pan gasket is bad. Oil runs down the side of the block on the drivebelt side of the motor, and if you've got the cover on, it looks like the oil pan is leaking.

You just inspired me to look, and that's actually where mine seems to be. It's not terrible but I'd just as soon get it fixed. Funny how the "problems" with these cars seem so reproducible.

Like I said, don't succumb to the temptation to ditch the car. I've wanted to roll it into a lake a few times this year...then I remember the abuse I've thrown at it. In almost 4 years of pounding on the car, nothing that failed was a surprise. They're solid, well engineered cars that are great fun to surprise M3 drivers with