Hey guys, new here...

I've had my TH for about 9.5 years now, and I hate to admit it but I've pretty much driven the thing into the ground and neglected most maintenance that should be done, yet somehow this thing still goes.

I've finally decide to pull my head in and start looking after the old girl, but now comes the fun bit... I don't know much, but not afraid to get my hands dirty, I'm a bit of a n00b, but know a bit already.

Maybe a little about the car...

- 1999 TH Magna Executive with 3.5 Profile Kit. This was some limited edition thing that included Cruise Control, Alloy Rims and something else I can't remember.
- It's been involved in a few dings in it's life (non my fault), with the last needing a whole new front end. :(
- Currently it's done +342,000kms, I brought it at 127,000kms
- Last timing belt change that was due at 200,000kms was done closer to 300,000kms, so it should be right for a while... :woot:
- I try to do oil & filter change at 10,000kms, but usually ends up way way beyond that...
- Has a new radiator and alternator after they eventually died
- I usually end up having it towed to my mechanic to fix things that have died/broke.
- I've replaced a few simple parts myself, but now I'm looking to go in deeper...

Currently it has a misfire and it looses power at low revs when in drive, but usually is fine once driving. I'm looking at replacing the Distributor Cap, Rotor, Leads, and Spark Plugs as these are over due and to see if these are the cause of the problem. If not, move on the the next.

I've come across rockauto.com from this forum and the prices are cheap as. Loving that, so going to get these parts from there. Are there any particular brands I should be looking at? Also, what spark plugs should I get? My mechanic said to get platinum for the back and normal for the front. Are there any that I should get over others?

I'm looking at getting BECK/ARNLEY Distributor Cap & Rotor and NKG Leads. Are these ok?

Is there anything else that I should look doing while I'm doing this?

Sorry about the long post. Just wanted to give some background...

So you want to do preventative maintenance after all this time? Bit back to front. lol

Anyhow, get the bits from Rockauto.com, usually good quality.
Look out that you buy everything from one source (Rockauto calls them "A" and "B") and watch the total weight as this affects FedEx shipping costs.
NGK BKR5EGP are platinum plugs for the 3.5L, cheap enough to use in all six cylinders.
Look at your front and rear rocker covers to see if they leak, and belts may need changing too if they are cracked. (Dayco 6PVK1200, 4PVK0900)
Chuck in an air filter and a fuel filter if that doesn't put you in a more expensive transport $$ bracket.

Usually the rockauto parts prices are doubled by the transport costs, yet you still get the parts at half the cost compared to local shops.
Takes a week, never had problems with delivery or parts quality.

Oil is best bought locally, but I get filters (Ryco Z456) from a shop in Sydney (?? may be Melbourne) 6 at a time, saves me $5 a filter compared to the local SuperCheap shop.

Gaskets, rocker cover, heads, sump,
Thermostat,
New radiator hoses,
Belts,
Trans fluid flush,
Get the full timing belt kit with the water pump if you didn't do that last time,

My TH has is coming up to 400,000 and I plan on getting the engine checked out before I go doing the belts/major service. If the engine on the way out I will replace the engine with a lower KM's one rather than throw good money after bad.

My TH has is coming up to 400,000 and I plan on getting the engine checked out before I go doing the belts/major service. If the engine on the way out I will replace the engine with a lower KM's one rather than throw good money after bad.

And this lower Km engine will still need the belts and major service as you don't know its history, plus the cost of getting it changed over if you don't DIY - keep the current one going if it doesn't have terminal problems like rattles, high oil consumption, etc.

Doing a full under-timing-cover refresh means that if the engine does die, you can recycle these newer components onto the next engine to freshen it up.

Minor point, but it had to be said. lol

Thanks for the reply guys.

Yes, I'm a bit back to front. lol.

Thanks MadMax for the spark plug info. So many to choose from it's doing my head in.

Fuel filter was done a few weeks ago with help from my brother in-law hunting it down. What a dumb spot it's in!! Belts are fine as timing belt change wasn't that long ago, and some other belt snapped off while driving. NRMA said it was ok to go to mechanic, so got it fixed there.

I just done an oil change a few days ago. Used the Ryco Z456 and Valvoline Engine Armour 10W-40. Since reading this forum I've found you guys recomend the Penright Oil. I'll use that next time.

I haven't seen any leakages around the rocker cover so they might be ok for now, but I'll look at doing them (and other suggestions) in the next month or so when more $$$ is available.

Valvoline Engine Armour 10W-40 is fine, I use it all the time. Buy it in bulk when it is on special. lol

Only suggested those extra parts to maximize benefits from shipping costs, I have a whole cupboard full of Rockauto parts for "just in case" situations. lol

Ah, good to know. It's gotta be better that that Valvoline XLD stuff I was using before...

Just with the rocker covers, they are called Valve Cover Gasket on rockauto? Also, do I get with the grommets/seals or just the gasket?

And this lower Km engine will still need the belts and major service as you don't know its history, plus the cost of getting it changed over if you don't DIY - keep the current one going if it doesn't have terminal problems like rattles, high oil consumption, etc.

I was worried about the engine but after an oil change I decided to give it a long run on Petrol and it seems to have fixed the sluggishness and rattles it had.

Lets face it any engine with 400,000 on it has to be a bit tired so a compression test wouldn't hurt just to be sure would it?

Just with the rocker covers, they are called Valve Cover Gasket on rockauto? Also, do I get with the grommets/seals or just the gasket?

Yep, I buy the Felpro kit. US $27.89

http://www.rockauto.com/getimage/getimage.php?imageurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rockauto.co m%2Finfo%2FFel-Pro%2FVS50461R_P04_TOP.jpg&imagekey=261176-0&width=450

Yep, I buy the Felpro kit. US $27.89

Thanks mate. I'll keep this in mind when I do this next.

Well, I just had a look at my engine, had a go and removing the plenum wow, so easy once I discovered I still had 2 long ones on the top... LOL!!

So, I noticed that a few of my spark plugs have a bit of oil on them, and some have this brown marking (burnt?) See photo:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/j4ctw7wd6wnqqum/5mDhn8tLJU/Magna%20Stuff/Photo%2012-04-13%203%2046%2022%20PM.jpg

Also, I noticed a bit of black build up around the place. Don't know if this is normal, or perhaps my own doing by not doing anything...

Should it be so black in here??
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/j4ctw7wd6wnqqum/bhwWb3b5IL/Magna%20Stuff/Photo%2012-04-13%203%2040%2014%20PM.jpg

Should there be oil in here?? Seen just below the bit that turns... Only a bit, but I think there is more behind...
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/j4ctw7wd6wnqqum/AfJGmezBFb/Magna%20Stuff/Photo%2012-04-13%204%2001%2031%20PM.jpg

It seems that this is where it's coming from... Any ideas what I can do?
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/j4ctw7wd6wnqqum/iA1NEKZ4o1/Magna%20Stuff/Photo%2012-04-13%204%2019%2043%20PM.jpg

Also, I need a new PCV hose. Is this something I get from an auto shop, or just get a piece of hose and cut to size?

1. Time for new spark plugs

2. That looks normal for a car with your kind of km.

3. Spray some carby cleaner in there. Should sort out some minor idling issues.

4. No idea where that is lol. Maybe im just blind.

5. New pcv valve can be ordered from any decent auto shop.

1. Time for new spark plugs

2. That looks normal for a car with your kind of km.

3. Spray some carby cleaner in there. Should sort out some minor idling issues.

4. No idea where that is lol. Maybe im just blind.

5. New pcv valve can be ordered from any decent auto shop.

1. Already ordered them from RockAuto. :)

2. Ok, great. Good to know.

3. Will do. I'll get some next week and do it with the spark plugs.

4. That little hole with the sludge is just at the end of the black air intake. The hose that connect to it comes from the rear part of the motor (possibly the breather hose??)

5. Great, I'll pop in to one and get one.