190K Maintenance Questions on 92 NT

[92NTlarry]

Hi,

I've got a 92, 1.8L NT with manual transmission. 190K miles. Besides leaking some oil, engine runs very nice. Always changed oil & filter & did most minor maintenance myself.

Timing belt, water pump, all belts were changed 10K miles ago. That was the 3rd change. Gasket cover, coolant, tie-rod as well.

Stock alternator was also changed 2 weeks ago by me when it went. 1st time it had me stranded. But it was in -15 degrees F weather. The tow truck arrived 2 hours late.

Distributor cap, rotor, spark wires, spark plugs, fuel filter all changed about 15K miles ago by me.

However, my mechanics never changed that thermostat. Last changed was at 100K.

Ever since I put Redline MT-90/MTL 50/50, the transmission grinding stopped.

Questions are,

1. Is it about time to change thermostat? Car takes a long time (5 minutes on warm day, 10 minutes on very cold day) to warm up (straight up needle in temperature gauge). Is it normal? The radiator fan starts after 15 min idle. The upper radiator host get hot after about 15 minutes. Is it normal?

2. How long does a thermostat last?

3. What else should I watch out for? Starter? Oil pump? Fuel Pump? given the high mileage. I think I should be able to do these myself given some time. However, I'm not wanting to spend too much time in the car (married and working on car is too addictive ), if it is not for drivability.

4. Last time clutch was replaced was at 50K. Is it about time now? It doesn't slip much yet. 2 shops quoted me $750 and $850 for this. 1 shop say my clutch slave cylinder (???) is leaking. The thing is I never have to fill in clutch fluid. Is it a reasonable price?

5. I have assisted in my friend (mechanic now somewhere overseas) in overhauling 3 engines before. Will I be able to change the clutch myself? I'm small. So, I can't lift more than 60 pounds probably. Is it a problem in working on clutch alone? Will I need to pull out the transmission? Any special tool?

6. Does anybody know a good shop in or close to any of these cities? Dallas, Okalahoma, Tulsa, Kansas City, Witchita, St. Louis, Springfield, Columbia. All of these are within 3-5 hours drive from me. So, I don't mind driving there. My zip is 66762.

My car is a commuter car. So, I'm not looking for racer shops.

Sorry for my long post.

This is my first post. So, please be gentle.

Appreciate all your help.

 

[bizzydsm]

Buy A 180 degree thermostat It will keep you car a bit cooler. The needle should be in the middle.. a tad to the left. (pretty much strait up.) Thermostats should last for a pretty long time. You problebly dont really need to worry about the fuel pump, oil pump, starter so on so on. You can get a centerline clutch for like 315$ plus install (between 200$ and 300$ dallars). I wouldnt recoment changing the clutch your self... its a bi***! I would go to any trustworthy mechanic in your area if you dont want to, or dont know how to do the work. I would get the centerline clutch and then have a mechanic install it. Cars have ran 10s in the 1/4 mile on them. I dont think you would have to worry about changing it again on a daily driver! Good Luck!

 

[92NTlarry]

Thanks for the reply BizzyDSM!

Originally posted by bizzydsm
Buy A 180 degree thermostat It will keep you car a bit cooler.

I got one from AutoZone. The guy say it is stock heat range. So, should be it.

You can get a centerline clutch for like 315$ plus install (between 200$ and 300$ dallars).

Buying is not a problem. But, may be I'm always stuck with mechanics who ripped me off. 2 shops quoted me around $400 on labor alone.

Another problem is most of these shops will absolutely NOT accept my own parts. That's the problem.

I would get the centerline clutch and then have a mechanic install it. Cars have ran 10s in the 1/4 mile on them.

I dont think you would have to worry about changing it again on a daily driver! Good Luck!

Centerline it is then. Not changing it again sounds great! I think my driving is not a problem since my current clutch is 140K miles and only starting to show a little bit wear. I think I should be ok for another 5K miles w/o changing. Let's just hope I save up by then for one last change.

Appreciate your advice!