I've done the mother of all searches and read a lot of threads to research the major / timing belt service on my 1998 Magna with the 3.0 lite V6 with about 90,000klm on the clock.

From what I can tell, these need to be done:

Change timing belt
Change hydraulic tensioner
Change tensioner pulley
Change idler pulley
Change cam and crankshaft seals
Change water pump
Change alternator, power steering and a/c belts
Rocker cover gasket kit

Change oil (5w30) and oil filter
Change air filter

Bleed and change brake fluid
Replace front/rear axle oil
Change power steering fluid

Change idle speed control motor

Change spark plugs x 6 (BKR6EIX-11 OR PFR6G-11?)
Change fuel filter
Change automatic transmission fluid and filter - use genuine Mitsubishi trans fluid

Flush and change coolant

Lubricate suspension arm, steering linkage, and propeller shaft U-joints

Change wiper blades

Can you please advise if I've left anything out? Or whether my list is incorrect?

Where is the best place to get the above parts?

Who are the trusted Sydney mechanics these days to do the above work?

I think the water pump and hydraulic tensioners are generally changed at the second major service (200,000km) though the car being so old I am not sure if it's still needed (get someone to confirm this).

Also, I think the idle speed control motor is only changed if it isn't functioning correctly

Pre Tensioner is changed when it gets noisy, the chances of the TF one getting noisy is rare

The belt should have been done some 12 years ago and given the age of the car I would say do the water pump

Alt and PS belts are another thing if not done

We can supply parts, as for trusted mechanics I am not sure, all I will say is make sure you take to to a workshop and do not get sucked into someone offering to do this for you in their back yard

3.0 lite V6 with about 90,000klm on the clock.

Change timing belt

Where is the best place to get the above parts?

Who are the trusted Sydney mechanics these days to do the above work?

A very comprehensive list, but I see no mention of looking at the brakes? Pads checked for wear, discs checked for scoring?

I would start by going to a Mitsu workshop and specify you want the belt changed. They will have all the parts needed on hand.
Ask them to ring you if other parts are not up to spec when inspected and need changing as well.

Start with a cam belt change, they should be done every 5 years, not just when the speedo clocks 90,000.
So yours should have been done in 2003, 2008, 2013.

Once you have recovered financially go on to the other parts. Doing everything at once will have your car off the road for quite a few days, and the bill will knock your socks off. I do most of this stuff myself, but spread the jobs out (unless they are urgent) to soften the financial side of buying the parts, and I'm not even looking at paying someone $90 to $120 per hour to do them!

Can anyone recommend a good Sydney mechanic to do the timing belt service?

Doesn't need to be the cheapest. However, needs to be honest, reliable and competent.

I would start by going to a Mitsu workshop and specify you want the belt changed. They will have all the parts needed on hand.
Ask them to ring you if other parts are not up to spec when inspected and need changing as well.


Why not?

If you mean why not go to a Mistubishi dealer, my concern is that they're not good value. I suspect Mitsubishi will over charge me on both parts and labour.

I'm just after some recommendations from members who have had a good and honest local mechanic do their timing belt service.

Having done some online research, I've found a cracker of a website:

http://www.fixedpricecarservice.com.au/

You put in your make, model, year and kilometres and a you get a whole heap of fixed price quotes from mechanics (including mobile mechanics) for log book servicing.

You can also see how each mechanic has been reviewed by actual customers who have booked them through the site.

A very useful website to give you an idea of servicing costs to help avoid being ripped off.

They also seem to have replicated all the service items from the manufacturer's log book.

[QUOTE=Magna Carta;1600778]I've done the mother of all searches and read a lot of threads to research the major / timing belt service on my 1998 Magna with the 3.0 lite V6 with about 90,000klm on the clock.

From what I can tell, these need to be done:

Lubricate suspension arm, steering linkage, and propeller shaft U-joints

QUOTE]

Quick question....are these DIY orientated tasks, or are special tools etc (or stands etc) required?
Another quicky...do either the front or rear brake pads require a special tool for re-setting the piston, or will the good old G-clamp and block of wood approach work? (Got caught with an old Fairlane, required special tool to wind piston back rather than simply push back)
An a final question...if I am changin rotors due to wear, would it much further to go to change wheel bearings whilst Im in there?

Thanks in advance...

Caliper pistons push back.
Front wheel drive Magna has no suspension parts that need routine lubricating.
Wheel bearings need a press and $$ for new ones, not an easy job like a rearwheel drive.

If the car has done all this distance with such minimal maintenance, I can guess that the brake fluid has not been changed either. THIS IS IMPORTANT. Water is absorbed by the brake fluid and this causes corrosion in the brake cylinders, but more importantly lowers the boiling point of the fluid. Result is that if you stand hard on the brakes, the fluid can heat up (especially with worn pads as well) and the fluid in the wheel cylinder boils. Brake pedal goes to the floor. Oops!

If the car has done all this distance with such minimal maintenance, I can guess that the brake fluid has not been changed either. THIS IS IMPORTANT. Water is absorbed by the brake fluid and this causes corrosion in the brake cylinders, but more importantly lowers the boiling point of the fluid. Result is that if you stand hard on the brakes, the fluid can heat up (especially with worn pads as well) and the fluid in the wheel cylinder boils. Brake pedal goes to the floor. Oops!

Erad, Mines done 170,000...the reference in my previous post is a quote gone wrong!
Will change the brake fluid also...thanks 4 the tip.

I've just about got all the parts I need for the timing belt service.

One last question - how many camshaft seals do I need? Two?

I've just about got all the parts I need for the timing belt service.

One last question - how many camshaft seals do I need? Two?

You guessed it - two it is