After reading that the filter (86 and earlier cars according to Vader) was replaceable, I purchased one from my local dealership (apparently mine had never been changed, and the car has 142,000 miles). I was somewhat horrified to read in the instructions that the filter was supposed to be changed every 12,000 miles or more often in dusty conditions! Yikes!

JamesC

 

Want some more "horror"?

When is the last time you:

1. Cleaned and applied clear silicone grease to your door, window, hatch, and hood weatherseals?
2. Rotated the tires?
3. Changed the oxygen sensor?
4. Washed and inspected the underbody?
5. Lubricated the door, hood, and hatch hinges and latches with 20W oil instead of some spray-on junk?
6. Aimed your headlamps?
7. Lubricated the suspension bushings?
8. Inspected the coolant and vacuum hoses? Belts?
9. Aligned the four wheels?
10. Balanced the tire/wheel assemblies?
11. Flushed the cooling system?
12. Repacked and adjusted the front wheel bearings?
13. Adjusted the parking brake?
14. Changed the rear axle lubricant?
15. Flushed the transmission and changed the filter screen?
16. Cleaned the PCV valve and hoses?
17. Tested all the lamps?
18. Replaced wiper blades or cleaned them with alcohol?
19. Tested the catalytic converter?
20. Cleaned the interior?

Just asking, since they're all listed in the service manual under routine or preventive maintenance at between 15,000 - 50,000 miles. How many of us DON'T do all of that every time it's scheduled?

Auto mechanics just live for that kind of neglect.


EDIT: And since you have an L69, when did you last change the clean air filter for the PCV system (CCV filter in the air cleaner)? Fuel filter? Test the Thermac/EFE operation and inspect the hot air hoses?

 

LMAO @ #20 clean the interior

Better becareful ive heard that food crumbs in the passenger side front seat can cause fuel pump failure. Think about it

 

fuel pump failure? I don't get it...

How do you lubricate your suspension fittings on new cars that don't come with zerk fittings? You can't, can you?

 

My car is my hobby and passion, so actually, I'm pretty much on top of the 'horror' list--for example, I've replaced the vac motors in air box as well as the EFE valve in the last year or so.

JamesC

 

How bad did the old filter look?

 

It was discolored and so brittle that it essentially disentegrated when I pulled it out of the canister.

Something to perhaps add to Vader's list: Use some Lock-Ease from time to time.

JamesC

 

You're right about the graphite in the lock cylinders, but I haven't found that in the manual yet as a scheduled, preventive step, but only when the cylinders get sticky. Still, it's a good idea from time to time. The rest of those items are scheduled maintenance, and even the dealerships don't perform most of them as part of scheduled service.



Food crumbs on the passenger seat? I know the light will come on sooner or later.., I'm just a little slow sometimes.