preventative maintanence

[marcel]

any idea how much replacing all these items will cost at a local shop? trying to get as much as possible out of my 98 runner that has 160k. Thinking this will help... timing belt, belts, waterpump, cam and crank seals, tensioners

 

[Dous]

Can you tell us your exact set up? 4 cyliner, 6 cyliner? 2wd, 4wd?

 

[marcel]

yeah sorry. its a 4 cylinder 2.7 L 2wd. 1998 with 160k

 

[Dous]

Ahh okay, well some good news. You have a timing chain, not a belt. So you really dont need to replace that, until it were to go, if it ever were to go. And you have a non interface engine which means that if the timing chain breaks the engine wont suffer any damages. Then the rest of the stuff you mentioned seems like it will be good. Have you have the U-Joints replaced on your drive shaft? How about a differential fluid service?

 

[marcel]

thats good to hear haha i had no idea.... thanks
and no ive only replaced the starter and bilstien shocks.
its also manual if that makes a difference (i dont know much about cars)
are replacing the u joints a good idea? and how much? same questions about the differential fluid service?
Thanks a lot

 

[Dous]

My U-Joints just went bad a 130K, I also off road a lot, but with they do go bad, and you will know when they do. It cost me 300 to have that done, but you can probably find it cheaper. As for the differential service, it will keep your diff in great shape, and reduce noise. I had a whining sound coming from my diff and replaced the fluid and it is quiet now. It usually dosent cost more than 100 bucks, and is very easy to do.

 

[marcel]

should i wait till my u joints go bad or just go for it now? also is it 100 to do by yourself or in a shop for the diff fluid thanks

 

[marcel]

and should the water pump be ok since i have timing chain not belt or should i replace that too

 

[Dous]

I'd say just wait until you see signs of the U-Joints going bad, you will get a lot of vibration. It dosent really damage anything, unless of course one breaks and the driveshaft falls, but the truck would shake like hell before that would ever happen. It would be probably 100 bucks to have the shop change the diff fluid, you can do it yourself for like 10. I havent changed my water pump, but it might be a good idea to do that, those will go bad whether or not you have a timing chain or belt

 

[marcel]

ok sounds good thanks man!