My KL GTVi needs a service... can I do everything myself at home or am I better off taking to a mitsu dealer?
What should I be getting done?
Timing belt was done around 100km mark by previous owner, at Mitsu dealer with receipt. Car drives beautifully (about 11.6/100km in daily commute) , except for:
1) slight rattle at idle, possibly a pulley bearing or something?
2) knock from front right wheel area when I initially apply the brake - control arm bush or something.
3) slight knock in engine when cold, think a good oil change should fix that...

Im no mechanic but have done simple servicing before...

Any advice welcome.

Cheers, Ben

Easy to change the oil and filter. Easy to change coolant and transmission fluid. The magna is basically an easy engine to service. It's when you get into the difficult parts of the pulley bearing and control arm. Any competent mechanic can take care of that though.

I HAVE THE SAME CAR! Awesome.

I do all of my own servicing, but I prefer to have the transmission serviced by a place in town. As for suspension, if I can fix it myself I will, but I leave alignments and such to the pro's

Oh, and I don't have the tool to unclip the fuel filter, so I had a mechanic do that as well.

Pretty sure I have that same rattle (not the knock)... had planned to have poke around this weekend.

Thanks guys...
So besides oil, filters and plugs - anything else I should replace at this point?
How hard is it to change the rear bank of plugs?

Anything in particular I should be looking out for?

Rear plugs are relatively easy to do. Just take your time and double check everything as you put it back together. The heated throttle-body hoses can be a pain, but if you're gentle and support everything you can get in, change the plugs, and have it all back together without stressing things. Usually you can re-use the intake gasket, I have in the past but I've only ever changed plugs once before (TJ Exec).

Cleaning the throttle body and ISC is a good idea if it needs it. Maybe every third oil change depending on the vehicle and conditions. I'm pretty sure there's a DIY on this here.

My old Executive was really sensitive to dirty or loose battery terminals. The GTVi is far less so, it had horribly corroded and calcified bettery terminal when I picked it up... didnt seem to bother it. I'd still include a battery terminal inspection, and a clean if needed, as part of your service if you don't notice them going bad before.

Madmagna knows all the tricks, like changing the rear plugs, so PM him maybe?