My RL has 92k on it with the original -everything, and I don't think that anything else should preemptively replaced.
Preventive Maintenance
I decided to change the water pump before it becomes and issue, I been the only owner of my 09 RL sky and have kept it to a little over 60K miles. Reading the trends here the water pump seems to be one of the most common issues of mechanical failures that can be expected or prevented.
Is there anything else that I should consider changing as is know to fail after the 60k mile mark?
Is there anything else that I should consider changing as is know to fail after the 60k mile mark?
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I read somewhere that if you replace the coolant regularly the water pump lasts a lot longer…
Thanks you, if I am going to be taking road trips in it I don't want to be left stranded on the road. Although it was my daily driver years ago and taken 1,600 mile trips several times, I will not take a chance since I just past the 60k mark.My RL has 92k on it with the original -everything, and I don't think that anything else should preemptively replaced.
(I guess I'm getting old)(42 yrs 😆)
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At the 60k mark- what if any preventive maintenance has been done so far?
Has the coolant been changed out recently? I'm on my 3rd fluid change since purchase.
Still on the OEM original WP/thermostat parts. Like John has noted with 92K on his-
the OEM part will last.
Are you noticing any signs- fluctuating temps in the DIC, stuck thermostat, or low level
in the reservoir? Is there any visual evidence in the engine bay or on the garage floor?
Fan belts or any of the hoses been replaced? Thermostat? Is the radiator or IC free
of dirt/debris? If any or all of these things have been done before getting to the
mechanical replacement of the WP itself- that is what I would call imo...
preventive maintenance in advance of the inevitable outcome of a total
failure of the cooling systems on our car. I too am near the 60k mark, so I
sorta understand your anxiety about a mechanical failure.
You can pre-purchase parts, tools if needed for the DIY adventure as part
of your preventive maintenance precautions or if this a shop or dealer preventive
in nature maintenance adventure which would mean ... stockpiling large amounts of
cash in arm/leg category in advance just saying.
* About to make a run in mine this morning down into the DC Hellway of the 495,
to help my good buddy load up his truck. Moving out of his place after some 60 years
dealing the mess.. madness err masses by Memorial Day weekend.
Trip 1 of 4 for this process.
However on Sunday morning I am... in personal preventive mental health maintenance mode
myself requiring me to head to the beach with my buddy for 4 days.
A Run across the State once again.
U-Tube moment with some adult fluid replacement to my cooling system.
LAC
Has the coolant been changed out recently? I'm on my 3rd fluid change since purchase.
Still on the OEM original WP/thermostat parts. Like John has noted with 92K on his-
the OEM part will last.
Are you noticing any signs- fluctuating temps in the DIC, stuck thermostat, or low level
in the reservoir? Is there any visual evidence in the engine bay or on the garage floor?
Fan belts or any of the hoses been replaced? Thermostat? Is the radiator or IC free
of dirt/debris? If any or all of these things have been done before getting to the
mechanical replacement of the WP itself- that is what I would call imo...
preventive maintenance in advance of the inevitable outcome of a total
failure of the cooling systems on our car. I too am near the 60k mark, so I
sorta understand your anxiety about a mechanical failure.
You can pre-purchase parts, tools if needed for the DIY adventure as part
of your preventive maintenance precautions or if this a shop or dealer preventive
in nature maintenance adventure which would mean ... stockpiling large amounts of
cash in arm/leg category in advance just saying.
* About to make a run in mine this morning down into the DC Hellway of the 495,
to help my good buddy load up his truck. Moving out of his place after some 60 years
dealing the mess.. madness err masses by Memorial Day weekend.
Trip 1 of 4 for this process.
However on Sunday morning I am... in personal preventive mental health maintenance mode
myself requiring me to head to the beach with my buddy for 4 days.
A Run across the State once again.
U-Tube moment with some adult fluid replacement to my cooling system.
LAC
I am the only owner of my Sky (got it in 09). So, I have change the oil religiously, even if I happen to park it for months, the first thing I do is change the oil.At the 60k mark- what if any preventive maintenance has been done so far?
Has the coolant been changed out recently? I'm on my 3rd fluid change since purchase.
Still on the OEM original WP/thermostat parts. Like John has noted with 92K on his-
the OEM part will last.
Are you noticing any signs- fluctuating temps in the DIC, stuck thermostat, or low level
in the reservoir? Is there any visual evidence in the engine bay or on the garage floor?
Fan belts or any of the hoses been replaced? Thermostat? Is the radiator or IC free
of dirt/debris? If any or all of these things have been done before getting to the
mechanical replacement of the WP itself- that is what I would call imo...
preventive maintenance in advance of the inevitable outcome of a total
failure of the cooling systems on our car. I too am near the 60k mark, so I
sorta understand your anxiety about a mechanical failure.
You can pre-purchase parts, tools if needed for the DIY adventure as part
of your preventive maintenance precautions or if this a shop or dealer preventive
in nature maintenance adventure which would mean ... stockpiling large amounts of
cash in arm/leg category in advance just saying.
* About to make a run in mine this morning down into the DC Hellway of the 495,
to help my good buddy load up his truck. Moving out of his place after some 60 years
dealing the mess.. madness err masses by Memorial Day weekend.
Trip 1 of 4 for this process.
However on Sunday morning I am... in personal preventive mental health maintenance mode
myself requiring me to head to the beach with my buddy for 4 days.
A Run across the State once again.
U-Tube moment with some adult fluid replacement to my cooling system.
LAC
All if my engine parts are OEM except for the performance parts. I have never change the cooling system, since I live in SETX and we may get one or two freezes a year (for about 3 days). We're i don't touch my car.
I haven't notice any issues with the temperature, and I don't want to notice them when I am 500 miles away from home.
Thank you for your response. It makes me feel better getting the WP out of the way and just keep changing the fluids more often.
I have been using these test strips to track the condition of my brake fluid and coolant.
Amazon.com: Phoenix Systems 8006-B Double-Ended Brake Fluid + Coolant Test Strips (15 foil wrapped test strips), 1 Pack : Automotive
Coolant & Brake Fluid Testing Phoenix Systems Test Strip Review - YouTube
Amazon.com: Phoenix Systems 8006-B Double-Ended Brake Fluid + Coolant Test Strips (15 foil wrapped test strips), 1 Pack : Automotive
Coolant & Brake Fluid Testing Phoenix Systems Test Strip Review - YouTube
Interesting concept. I'm going to pick up some of the coolant ones and give it a go since that fluid circulates.I have been using these test strips to track the condition of my brake fluid and coolant.
Amazon.com: Phoenix Systems 8006-B Double-Ended Brake Fluid + Coolant Test Strips (15 foil wrapped test strips), 1 Pack : Automotive
Coolant & Brake Fluid Testing Phoenix Systems Test Strip Review - YouTube
Thanks for posting!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
All if my engine parts are OEM except for the performance parts. I have never change the cooling system, since I live in SETX and we may get one or two freezes a year (for about 3 days).
Since you have never changed this fluid out since purchase- your factory DexCool liquid is now 13 years old.
Check your owners manual- pages 5-24 & 6-6. Engine Cooling System once ever 5 years.
DexCool has a life expectancy. It will degrade over time. You run the risk of the fluid or WP failing 500 miles from home if it is not properly maintained.
This is suggested from the factory- maybe the DexCool guys too not from me.
I know you're not worry about freezing temps in SETEX.
Over heating on a hot summer's day in SETEX is another question. Hoses, belts, fluids, tires, brake pads are consumable items- they do breakdown over time with wear/tear, heat/cold.
Sorta like trusting your life with old brake fluid and pads when depressing the pedal in a time of need, the Rut Roh factor.
It is your car, your time involved, and money spent. Change the WP out if you feel the need to cure the anxiety and fears you might have.
A Coolant flush and vac refill done at the dealership on my last visit was $192 and change.
The WP replacement will not in this price range.
Let us all know how it went for you, what it cost and time involved for peace of mind satisfaction.
Luck with it-
LAC
Since you have never changed this fluid out since purchase- your factory DexCool liquid is now 13 years old.
Check your owners manual- pages 5-24 & 6-6. Engine Cooling System once ever 5 years.
DexCool has a life expectancy. It will degrade over time. You run the risk of the fluid or WP failing 500 miles from home if it is not properly maintained.
This is suggested from the factory- maybe the DexCool guys too not from me.
I know you're not worry about freezing temps in SETEX.
Over heating on a hot summer's day in SETEX is another question. Hoses, belts, fluids, tires, brake pads are consumable items- they do breakdown over time with wear/tear, heat/cold.
Sorta like trusting your life with old brake fluid and pads when depressing the pedal in a time of need, the Rut Roh factor.
It is your car, your time involved, and money spent. Change the WP out if you feel the need to cure the anxiety and fears you might have.
A Coolant flush and vac refill done at the dealership on my last visit was $192 and change.
The WP replacement will not in this price range.
Let us all know how it went for you, what it cost and time involved for peace of mind satisfaction.
Luck with it-
LAC
First thing I did when I got my car last November was replace all the fluids. The car only has 40K miles on it but most of the fluids were original and well past their "best before" date. Coolant will lose it's corrosion inhibiting and lubricating properties over time. Brake fluid absorbs water that can boil and cause "vapour lock" in the brake lines.
It's not just a fun saying - a little bit of preventative maintenance really does go a long way.
It's not just a fun saying - a little bit of preventative maintenance really does go a long way.
Thanks for the advice.All if my engine parts are OEM except for the performance parts. I have never change the cooling system, since I live in SETX and we may get one or two freezes a year (for about 3 days).
Since you have never changed this fluid out since purchase- your factory DexCool liquid is now 13 years old.
Check your owners manual- pages 5-24 & 6-6. Engine Cooling System once ever 5 years.
DexCool has a life expectancy. It will degrade over time. You run the risk of the fluid or WP failing 500 miles from home if it is not properly maintained.
This is suggested from the factory- maybe the DexCool guys too not from me.
I know you're not worry about freezing temps in SETEX.
Over heating on a hot summer's day in SETEX is another question. Hoses, belts, fluids, tires, brake pads are consumable items- they do breakdown over time with wear/tear, heat/cold.
Sorta like trusting your life with old brake fluid and pads when depressing the pedal in a time of need, the Rut Roh factor.
It is your car, your time involved, and money spent. Change the WP out if you feel the need to cure the anxiety and fears you might have.
A Coolant flush and vac refill done at the dealership on my last visit was $192 and change.
The WP replacement will not in this price range.
Let us all know how it went for you, what it cost and time involved for peace of mind satisfaction.
Luck with it-
LAC
I did replace the WP, gaskets, coolant flush and oil change while at it. It cost me a whooping $850+.
The one thing that made me feel better was that the mechanic thought that I have just replace the timing chain and guides, as they still look brand new to him.
I did order the stips that Rob mentioned earlier to keep checking the life of the fluids.
I'll probably order my muffler delete next and work on the brake upgrades. (Trifecta will be last).
I've been working maintenance for the last 15 years, and the one thing I've learned is if it ain't broke, don't fix it. YOU'LL KNOW when your water pump is about to crap out on you.
Also, if you listen to the posts on any internet site regarding ANYTHING you own, you'll regret ever owning that item !! I have a cycle, and because of the drama I've read about others, I've been coaxed into buying hundreds of dollars of unneeded parts JUST IN CASE I someday need them !!
Also, if you listen to the posts on any internet site regarding ANYTHING you own, you'll regret ever owning that item !! I have a cycle, and because of the drama I've read about others, I've been coaxed into buying hundreds of dollars of unneeded parts JUST IN CASE I someday need them !!
You gotta admit there situation the when-
You have it-You never need it
But
If you don’t have it - you will need it at the absolute worst time and you won’t be able to find it
Happens to me all the time
You have it-You never need it
But
If you don’t have it - you will need it at the absolute worst time and you won’t be able to find it
Happens to me all the time
With the experience in this forum, we know that there are parts that will wear and tear with normal use or just time.
If we share that knowledge, we can be proactive and either change them or aquire them now as spare parts are becoming scarce.
If we share that knowledge, we can be proactive and either change them or aquire them now as spare parts are becoming scarce.
I get the picture, my 2009 with 19,000 miles needs all fluids changed. I have had the car since 2011 and 3500 mile so they are all from factory other than we have had a few oil changes.
So, waterproofing your weatherstripping is another way to keep your sky alive longer.Cleaned the wheels/rims & suspension parts some. Got to pop the hood for a look around the ole
engine bay today. I have a parts drawing of our top- but it doesn't show this fabric strap, what it
holds down within the fabric itself. All the weatherstrips need some refreshing with die-electric grease
or Vaseline for waterproofing, to keep them flexible when under the
I will do that next time.
1 - 17 of 17 Posts
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