kbroderick
Test Drive
- Location
- Red Lodge, MT
So after shopping CL for a while in a mostly brand-agnostic search for a 4x4 rig with a five-speed transmission, I picked up a fairly clean '00 XTerra with 214k on the clock, purchased from the third owner. The second owner had it from 30k to over 200k and obviously had maintenance done but I don't have any records, so I'm left to assume that it's in need of everything on the schedule.
It does seem to run fine, although the knock sensor code is present (no SES light, though) and it could use an alignment.
I'm thinking that I'm probably going to bite the bullet and get a local shop to handle the probably-deferred maintenance, and it seems like the list should be:
- timing belt
- tensioner
- water pump
- thermostat
- fan/alternator & compressor belts
-camshaft oil seal
- crankshaft oil seal
- plugs, cap, toro, wires
- full fluid change -- coolant, diff, and trannsmission (the oil is fresh, as it was changed the day before I bought the rig)
Should I have them replace the knock sensor at the same time--are they going to be getting into the same spot in the engine bay?
On some of the timing belt discussions, I saw mention of a couple of coolant hoses that should also be replaced at the same time--should these be on the list?
I have to admit that in theory I'd rather wait until things warm up and do this stuff myself, but without room to get the rig into my garage and a timing belt of unknown age, it seems like a better bet to pay someone else to get things done. I'm trying to resist the urge to start modding things, but I'm guessing I'll want to add some LED auxilliary lighting and maybe sliders and skid plates before too long. In a perfect world, I'd also replace the tires--I don't think they're doing me any big favors--but they've got a bit too much life left to justiy that yet.
It does seem to run fine, although the knock sensor code is present (no SES light, though) and it could use an alignment.
I'm thinking that I'm probably going to bite the bullet and get a local shop to handle the probably-deferred maintenance, and it seems like the list should be:
- timing belt
- tensioner
- water pump
- thermostat
- fan/alternator & compressor belts
-camshaft oil seal
- crankshaft oil seal
- plugs, cap, toro, wires
- full fluid change -- coolant, diff, and trannsmission (the oil is fresh, as it was changed the day before I bought the rig)
Should I have them replace the knock sensor at the same time--are they going to be getting into the same spot in the engine bay?
On some of the timing belt discussions, I saw mention of a couple of coolant hoses that should also be replaced at the same time--should these be on the list?
I have to admit that in theory I'd rather wait until things warm up and do this stuff myself, but without room to get the rig into my garage and a timing belt of unknown age, it seems like a better bet to pay someone else to get things done. I'm trying to resist the urge to start modding things, but I'm guessing I'll want to add some LED auxilliary lighting and maybe sliders and skid plates before too long. In a perfect world, I'd also replace the tires--I don't think they're doing me any big favors--but they've got a bit too much life left to justiy that yet.
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