What should I do?

[sicksubie]

I will be driving my red svx to TN for my girlfriend to drive for the summer and at school for the fall. I am doing full brakes right now (new d+s rotors, pads, ss lines), the belts are new (15k on them or so) timing belt was done at 70k (118k now), just did an oil change, all other fluids are good ( a while back I did mistakenly put ps fluid in the ps pump though, not atf. Only maybe 1/3 a qt total) since the car will be in a hotter climate should I flush the coolant? I will be installing a tranny cooler when I go down in July and August. Are there any other recommendations?

[dcarrb]

I wouldn't flush the cooling system; just check the condition of the hoses and radiator cap, and top-off the reservoir as needed. If it's been years since the coolant was changed and you expect to be doing lots of urban, stop-and-go driving, just do a 50/50 drain and refill.

Using "power steering fluid" instead of ATF won't hurt anything.

dcb

[svxistentialist]

You seem to have it well sussed, Sicksubie.

Cambelt would need changed again at 130K or so, but is probably OK.

I would not worry too much about the steering fluid. It will mix and be OK. If you do worry, then use a turkey baster to empty the reservoir, and fill up with ATF as instructions to level.

For peace of mind, service routine does recommend a flush and replace of coolant, and I would do that in your case. While at that, inspect the hoses and the top of radiator for leaks, you know that is a potential trouble area.

The other thing I would check in your shoes is the fluid levels in the front and rear differentials. If these are low for any reason [not checked for years, maybe?] you run the risk of heating a bearing. Better checked.

If you want to be bombproof and anal, you could strip the hubs and repack the wheel bearings with the proper grease. This is actually recommended to do after bearing failure, and might save a bearing going bad on you.

The only other wise thing I would bother with are the rubber boots, two on the front axle CV joints, and two on the steering rack. Check them for holes, tears and leaks. Replace as necessary.

If you have all that done, it should buy peace of mind.

Joe

[sicksubie]

CV boots are fine, radiator is strong with new silicone hoses, I think I have everything covered.

Wheel bearings are the only thing that I am truly concerned about.

[JaySVX]

How's the AC? it's pretty warm downt here, she might not be to happy if she's driving around in 100 degree heat with 4/60 ac.

[huck369]

Make SURE you have that tranny cooler installed before the Dragon Meet, as the Dragon will definetly heat up the tranny, esp. of it has the stock 3.54 gearing....

[ensteele]

Any of the hoses should be checked to make sure they are not hard and ready to leak.

[Noir]

Originally Posted by huck369

Make SURE you have that tranny cooler installed before the Dragon Meet, as the Dragon will definetly heat up the tranny, esp. of it has the stock 3.54 gearing....

howdy huck, still running dragon meets?

[Hop]

Originally Posted by sicksubie

I will be driving my red svx to TN for my girlfriend to drive for the summer and at school for the fall.

What are you Sick Subie? I get queezy handing the keys over to the wife let alone a girlfriend. And for school??? Have you seen the way people drive around those parking lots? I know, my son is one of the nuts. He comes home with new dings daily. He just laughs about them. It's worse than the Walmart.

Hey, perhaps you could get a lot of those bumpers that they tie on boats for when they hit the dock. I bet she'd just love that. What are you going to do when you call her? I can almost hear the conversation now, 'yea yea yea, you're fine, schools good, now, rev the engine for me again...'

Maybe you could get a gps system installed so that you can track to monitor her location and speeds.

The really bad thing about the svx is that once she gets her hands on it you might as well write it off because she's not going to give it back unless you get her one of her own.

Best of luck to you.

[sicksubie]

Originally Posted by pghopkins

What are you Sick Subie? I get queezy handing the keys over to the wife let alone a girlfriend. And for school??? Have you seen the way people drive around those parking lots? What are you going to do when you call her? I can almost hear the conversation now, 'yea yea yea, you're fine, schools good, now, rev the engine for me again...'
The really bad thing about the svx is that once she gets her hands on it you might as well write it off because she's not going to give it back unless you get her one of her own.

Best of luck to you.

Yeah, maybe I am.... No, she is a fantastic driver and a car nut to boot. The red one is hers, I guess. Mine is silver one now

[sicksubie]

Originally Posted by huck369

Make SURE you have that tranny cooler installed before the Dragon Meet, as the Dragon will definetly heat up the tranny, esp. of it has the stock 3.54 gearing....

I honestlt don't have time to do it before I drive it down. I will be getting down there the day before the meet. Maybe I will get there and do it then... Is the dragon that brutal???

[Hocrest]

Originally Posted by sicksubie

... Is the dragon that brutal???

If you want to have fun... Yeah

[huck369]

Originally Posted by Noir

howdy huck, still running dragon meets?

...I do what I can Harry.....I do what I can...