approaching 100,000 miles...

[nismo79]

coming up on 100k and wondering everyones opinions on maintnence for that mileage, and also what about switching to synthetic? is it too late? it would be nice if the car lasted till 200k! or any other special care or preventitive maintnence opinions would be great. thanks in advance.

[Mr Detailer]

You may want to change the timing belt if you haven't done so already.

Hello fellow Wisconsinite, and fellow 99 LX owner!

And I don't think you'd have a problem switching to synthetic. IIRC, the reason some people have problems with switching from dino to synthetic at higher mileage is because some dino oils leave deposits, which are cleaned off (dissolved) by the synthetic oil. So the deposits were actually preventing a leak because they were blocking the pathway of the leak.

Don't quote me on that, but I think that's the reason for leaks from synthetic.

[_jp]

your correct. its all about the viscousness and molecular breakdown of syn oil. long story have to get into that another time. basically its like that on a lot of older motors. the syn is well syn, lol. its able to get into places that most non syn oils cant get to therefor exposing leaks. its way bad on 4.0 long block jeeps (rear main seal) once syn is added at high miles something back there more than likely leaks. is your motor making any noise? id be less inclined to add syn if there is lifter or tappet noise, yeah it will quiet the noise but in that there's a false sense of security. something will eventually let go.

jp

[bazooka joe]

at what mileage have you guys done your timing belt? i think the manual says 100K?

[Mr Detailer]

I haven't done mine yet. My owner's manual says to replace every 60K. I'm at 69K. I plan on having it replaced in the spring.

[zychendorf]

coming up on 100k and wondering everyones opinions on maintnence for that mileage, and also what about switching to synthetic? is it too late? it would be nice if the car lasted till 200k! or any other special care or preventitive maintnence opinions would be great. thanks in advance.
Bought mine new in 2000. Have 180,000 miles on it. gets 37mpg. change oil & filter every 5,000 miles. Never used synthetic. Changed spark plugs @98,000, & regapped @ 170,000. Probably time to change the timimg belt. Havent had any problems, no oil consumtion. plan on 300,000 before any major engine work.

[justanotheradikt]

HOLY CRAP!!!!
on a side note....ive been using synthetic for a little while now ( past 4 or 5 oil changes) would it be safe for me to go back to non syn oil or am i stuck?

[Mr Detailer]

Bought mine new in 2000. Have 180,000 miles on it. gets 37mpg. change oil & filter every 5,000 miles. Never used synthetic. Changed spark plugs @98,000, & regapped @ 170,000. Probably time to change the timimg belt. Havent had any problems, no oil consumtion. plan on 300,000 before any major engine work.

You haven't changed the timing belt yet? I guess I have no reason to be worried about going 68K without changing it. :)

[vindication]

wow, almost 200k miles. and here I was worrying that my car was getting old. the clock just turned 50k the other day

[justanotheradikt]

anyone know the answer to my question?

[vindication]

you should be fine. it's not like we're running FI or anything

[justanotheradikt]

Fi?

[vindication]

forced induction

[dwsscs]

Bought mine new in 2000. Have 180,000 miles on it. gets 37mpg. change oil & filter every 5,000 miles. Never used synthetic. Changed spark plugs @98,000, & regapped @ 170,000. Probably time to change the timimg belt. Havent had any problems, no oil consumtion. plan on 300,000 before any major engine work.

Did you have any Check Engine Light issues? I am at 115,000 miles and have had a few minor CEL issues. Its a 2000 protege lx, 1.6L and I have replaced the plugs at 40K, and 105K; wind shield seal at 45K; alternator at 89K; timing belt,plug wires at 110K.

I seem to have a problem every year just before time for emission inspection.

1st one was a gas cap seal
2nd one was misfires had to replace plug wires

I have a new one that is related to fuel flow, not sure on it yet as I have until June 2006 to fix it. And it runs fine.

[zychendorf]

Did you have any Check Engine Light issues? I am at 115,000 miles and have had a few minor CEL issues. Its a 2000 protege lx, 1.6L and I have replaced the plugs at 40K, and 105K; wind shield seal at 45K; alternator at 89K; timing belt,plug wires at 110K.

I seem to have a problem every year just before time for emission inspection.

1st one was a gas cap seal
2nd one was misfires had to replace plug wires

I have a new one that is related to fuel flow, not sure on it yet as I have until June 2006 to fix it. And it runs fine.
Never had cel light up yet. As far as fuel flow, might check fuel filter.

[Zaurusman]

anyone know the answer to my question?

If you had a leak you'd know it by now from the dipstick if nothing else; stick to synthetic and enjoy the reduced engine wear as your engine sees future miles. Synthetic has additives that expand the seals so they don't leak in the first place, but more importantly it extends the lifetime of your engine by reducing wear and has better, longer-lasting detergents. If your seals aren't leaking because you have deposits in your engine, that's like saying "I don't care if my engine is inefficient or dies prematurely as long as it doesn't leak oil and make me do something about it." You've already got the best of both worlds -- your engine doesn't leak with synthetic oil that's extending its service lifetime.

Now if you're driving a used up old beater that you want to hold out for a couple years and don't want to put any money into, that's a different story and bring on the thick stuff. (evil)