Hey All! I've been on vacation quite a while and have a lot of pent-up questions to ask...for the sake of sanity (and because of all the engineer-types on this forum), they're numbered, so here goes...
1. I need to change manual trans. fluid and differential fluid. What the heck do I put in? Is there a way I could flush out either of these? How much fluid shoud I buy for each? Is Lucas oli stabiler a hoax or a good product?
2. I'm do for a timing belt, which I have read how to do. Should I replace the three other belts as well for good measure? How much time and money should this be?
3. Dirty coolant. I would like to drain, flush, and replace myself, as well as blast out the radiator, or should i take it to a shop? How much $$$ should I pay? If I do it, i'm afraid that without pressure testing a weak spot could get me later. Should I replace the hoses? (good shape, but old)
4. Temperature stuff: the guage barely moves between the 8 to 9 o' clock positions, But I've never been on a roadtrip of stuck in traffic on a hot day (I live in semi-rural WA, but Tacoma trips or I-90 mountain passes would freak me out w/ little/no attention paid to the cooling system in 10 years by P.O.. Where to start? How long should I wait for fan to come on? Am I due for a thermostat?
5. Exhaust...I have a funky rattle that comes on at high rpm's (sorry, no tach!) A shop put it up on a lift and without listening to it run or really even looked at it said time for a new cat, $160. should I? At the end of 2nd pipe, the piece of medal w/ three bolt holes is lose. should it be welded on there? The muffler shop said no. They think all looks pretty tight and it's loose junk in the cat. conv. I could try one from a junkyard for almost free, should I?
Sorry for this long post. Thanks in advance for the great replies I know i'll recieve!