60K mileage service

Good advice. Also ask them how much to replace the water pump at the same time since the labor should be zero when they are already replacing the timing belt so incremental cost will be the part cost. If the water pump goes after you do the timing belt it will basically double your cost. and could shorten the life of the new belt as well.

Bob

Hi all,

Thank you so much for replying.

But, is there a way we could know that it is time to replace the Timing belt / Water pump? I cannot afford at this time to replace them. So, what is the best way we could know that it SHOULD be replaced?

I just got the oil changed at EZ Lube and I asked one of the guys there the possible reason for low mileage. I was told that since there is very less coolant in my radiator, it could be causing issues. So, what is the liquid we put in the radiator? Is it just water or the coolant? And what is best one available in the market?

Thanks all for your suggestions.

Raja

Timing belts can go out without any warning whatsoever. And if it happens while you are on the freeway, or even if just cruising the streets, it can mean disaster. It basically freezes the valves in whatever position they happen to be in when the break occurs. And although the valves freeze, the pistons do not for several revolutions of the motor.

The result is pistons reaching the top end of their travel in the cylinder, finding exhaust or intake valves in the full open position and promptly smashing them into warped little chunks of useless metal. At the same time, the piston doesn't take the battering too well either and can suffer greatly.

But the fun isn't over yet. All that broken, twisted and red hot metal you have just created is now free to get jammed against the cylinder walls making cool little gouges and scrapes which just about puts the icing on the cake. Your fantastic new/used car is now a very awesome paper-weight, unless you have several thousand dollars more to buy and install a new motor.

Just a graphic explanati> Hi all,

Raja,

low mileage has nothing to do with low coolant or more water.

I have an 01 spyder v6, it's a gas guzzler, especially since it hauls butt! I average 20mpg around town with freeway. The timing belt should be replaced 75k on average. timing belts can easily last 90k, but since the engine is an interference engine, it should be replaced at a decent interval, 75k is safe.

the 60k checkup from the dealership is a joke and should be pretty much ignored. You can visually check 70% of the car by looking at it. the rest is easy fluid changing, oil, tranny (the spyder has no tranny filter, just drain atf and add more). and check the CV axles. Not to big of a deal. the timing belt job yes should have the water pump replaced as well and also the tensioner pullys.

Eric,

That information helps me a lot ! Thanks for that.

I am slowly learning about this auto stuff now :-) Thanks to you all who have helped me.

Can you suggest me what coolant would be best suitable? Also, where do I fill this coolant? Into the radiator ?? How often do we need to fill in water into the radiator?

I called up pep boys for replacing the timing belt and they are asking for about $450 for it which does not include water pump. Is this reasonable? Also, is it better to buy a timing belt and water pump from Autozone and then get it replaced by Pepboys or have it purchased there itself?

Please suggest. Again thanks for answering my questions.

Cheers Raja