Home Service Tips

[jgibson]

hey,
my car needs a 170k service and i was going to try doing this one myself. i was wondering if there is anything that should be done every service that is not in the owners manual? if someone could list things i should do that would be greatly appreciated . would the engine service manual be of use, does it give a run down on a general service? i also have squeaking coming from the belts (somewhere in that area), what is the best way to fix this?
thanks.

car: 323 BA '94 V6 Hardtop

[Shaggy]

http://www.club323f.com/ba/tuning/se.../servicing.php

service sheets are here

Ben

[jgibson]

yea ive got this in my owners manual. i just found its very general and doesnt give me a good idea about what i should do.. remember im a total service newb. im an average service what would u do? a list of specific things would help greatly. also does anyone know if the service manual will give a run down on each service and explain how to carry out certain tasks for the service, or does it just show how to fix things. thanks.

[CRA23]

that list in the service manual tells u what they carry out in a serivce, for how they do it u will have to buy a workshop manual and these arnt cheap

http://www.pitstop.net.au/pitstop/pr...13PUM&PLU=9352

http://www.pitstop.net.au/pitstop/pr...13PUM&PLU=9922

[mike_d87]

changing the oil and filter is pretty straight foward. filter is an absolute PAIN IN THE ARSE to get to though from underneath, but u can still manage. with 170,000 kms on it i would expect the brakes to be a bit iffy depending on how u drive. if there is nething less than maybe 3-4mm on the pads id replace them. if ur just a service newbie ur better off taking it to a local shop and getting it done or finding a mate who can and getting him to help u do it. u need two ppl to replace the brake fluid neway

[jgibson]

yea i just removed the engine oil, but havent changed the filter yet coz i cant get it off. i dont have the right tool. brakes are good ... i had them changed 20k km ago. only prob with them is they have glazed a bit and need sanding down.

[andrewgrazier]

how easy does mazda make oil changes!! I LOVE them and lookforward to my next one!
my car i usually have to dislocate my wrist to get around the back of the engine
and on dads mx 5 he has to take one of the front wheels off to get round to it!

[Ripper323]

Originally Posted by andrewgrazier

how easy does mazda make oil changes!! I LOVE them and lookforward to my next one!
my car i usually have to dislocate my wrist to get around the back of the engine
and on dads mx 5 he has to take one of the front wheels off to get round to it!

Yeah tru dat
I changed the oil filter myself the first time and the factory one was on so tight that I had to bash a screwdriver through it and get it off. Do you know how hard that is to do?? So from then on my filters only go on hand tight, so I can get them off again.

[chicaboo]

Hey guys,

Funny you mention this, I just changed my oil and filter yesterday too. Wow, I like that you let the engine drain for 1 hour and still get a delugé of oil down your armpit when you unscrew the filter. Is anyone here quick enough to get the sump plug off before it splashes off your hand onto the garage floor? I couldn't actually get any tool in to reach the filter, so I just figured I'd try to unscrew it by hand. Damn, it came off! Oh well, I figured it'd fine to put the new one on the same way...

WAIT UNTIL YOU HAVE TO DO YOUR GEARBOX!

[skippy]

Its relevant me thinks,

anything special involved in a 100K service,?

Oil Filter
Air Filter
Timing Belt

Why I am really asking is if I am getting the timing belt replaced is their anything else that can be at the same time to save time and money in the future???

[Ripper323]

I would think that the timing belt was due if it hasn't been done yet. Can't really think of anything else that you could do when the front cover is off the engine. Normally around 80,000kms is when they get done, although I could be wrong.
Oil and oil filter ideally should be done every 5000-7000km's
Unsure about the air filter, buy a K & N and you wash it every so often, doesn't need replacing for 1,000,000km

[Dogo]

replace the PCV valve and the cam cover gasket.

before you change the oil etc give the engine a de-carb treatment

Its worth cleaning the oil pickup in the sump too which requires replacing the sump gasket

i recommend one of these too while ur at it
http://www.fumotovalve.com/

[CRA23]

ive been meaning to get one fo them for a while, as well as a remote oil filter kit will make changine oil very easy

[$IK323]

While we are talking about filters, any ideas where the fuel filter is in the BJ's. There is no mention of it in my manual apart from it must be changed every 100,000ks.

[Dogo]

i think the BJ are a unique case - its down in / near the tank ?

[Ripper323]

Originally Posted by $IK323

While we are talking about filters, any ideas where the fuel filter is in the BJ's. There is no mention of it in my manual apart from it must be changed every 100,000ks.

Read this thread about it on OMC. Yes it is in the tank, and cost around $100
Here