New to the forum

[Dusten]

Howdy

We've had the P5 in the family little over a year. I decided to join up after researching some maintenance, and the fact I'm driving the car myself.

Its a 2003 with 181k on it now. bought it for my mother some time ago, and she decided she wanted something different, so we picked up a 1991 GT for her.
I commute about 120 miles a day and this is going to take the place of my 1997 Saturn SL2.

Getting ready to do pads and rotors, along with a timing belt, cam and crank seals and a water pump.

Only thing odd about the car was it had a pre-cat CEL forever and then one day, it cleared. I have an appointment with my exhaust guy to replace it next, so I'll stick with getting it done.

 

[MrGiggles]

Welcome. There are some articles on this forum that go through the TB replacement.

 

[Dusten]

Welcome. There are some articles on this forum that go through the TB replacement.

Ya, i read them. Good parts list. Job looks super simple too.

Picture on my way to work

Thus is an upgrade from my last commuter.

 

[pcb]

...Getting ready to do pads and rotors, along with a timing belt, cam and crank seals and a water pump. .

You may want to consider NOT doing your cam and crank seals...

One guy did them and it was nothing but trouble. They leaked and he ended up doing them over a bunch of times... Now it's a yearly event for him.

If they aren't leaking then it can be one of those "leave well enough alone" things.

 

[Dusten]

You may want to consider NOT doing your cam and crank seals...

One guy did them and it was nothing but trouble. They leaked and he ended up doing them over a bunch of times... Now it's a yearly event for him.

If they aren't leaking then it can be one of those "leave well enough alone" things.

I'd chalk that up to wrong parts, or incorrect install. At 181k i can't imagine they don't need replaced

 

[pcb]

I'd chalk that up to wrong parts, or incorrect install. At 181k i can't imagine they don't need replaced

For him it was both... He didn't use the proper installation tools the first time and was dealing with crappy no-name parts too.
(he did get the good seals installed but he still sprung leaks)

I consider myself lucky because my T-belt kit didn't come with the seals.

I've got 230,000 km and no leaks on my original seals.

 

[Dusten]

For him it was both... He didn't use the proper installation tools the first time and was dealing with crappy no-name parts too.
(he did get the good seals installed but he still sprung leaks)

I consider myself lucky because my T-belt kit didn't come with the seals.

I've got 230,000 km and no leaks on my original seals.

This car has 181000 miles, i dont know its history beyond last year, and thankfully I do have the correct tools.

Appreciate the insight.

 

[Natey]

Another near 200k P5, looking clean as ever! (naughty)

Congrats on the new to you car. I'll bet the cornering surprised you for the 1st month or so. Treat it right and it'll go another 100k easy.

 

[Dusten]

Another near 200k P5, looking clean as ever! (naughty)

Congrats on the new to you car. I'll bet the cornering surprised you for the 1st month or so. Treat it right and it'll go another 100k easy.

I have only driven it for 3 days lol. Prior to that my mom was driving it. She bought herself a mustang and when i offered to sell it for her she told me to sell my saturn.

Its handling is nice. Ive owned some great handling cars (2013 s4, 2005 cts-v, 2013 wrx), so its not over the top, but for my commute, its nice. I'll commute this car another 50k or so, and then my big commute will be done and i'll off load it.

 

[Dusten]

Little update, drove a tank of fuel out of it, mostly freeway/highway. I spend about 10 miles a day getting to and from the freeway and the rest of it is 70mph. First tank was 26.1 mpg which isn't terrible. I have a CEL for the pre-cat and have an appointment to get it replaced soon. Tires were also at 25psi. I aired the fronts to 40 and the rears to 35, so that should help. If I can net 28 on winter fuel and 30ish on summer fuel I'll be pretty happy. The loss in mpg's over my last commuter are worth it consider how much better this is to drive.

 

[pcb]

... I have a CEL for the pre-cat and have an appointment to get it replaced soon...

That cell may send your ECU into stupid mode... (I'm not sure ??)

Your mileage may improve after getting it fixed.

 

[Dusten]

That cell may send your ECU into stupid mode... (I'm not sure ??)

Your mileage may improve after getting it fixed.

Even if its not a safe mode, its for the pre cat which cant help mileage

 

[Dusten]

Second tank of fuel after only adjusting air pressure in tires netted a 28.6 mpg tank. Now i'll see if the air box mod is worth anything.