Spyder 1999 Spyder GST list for general look over after storage?

[ipWitan]

1 - Is there a list for general look over for a car that hasn't been driven much over last 12 years?

I am bring the car out of retirement and need to plan how to make sure it is good to go. I gave the car to my parents when I moved from FLA to MA. They didn't drive it much in the last 12 years - maybe 1000 miles total. It now has 85k and I just had it shipped up to MA.

The engine is not running right. Per diagnostic test, spark slugs and wires need replacing. Also, the odometer/speedometer just stopped working. The car is with a local shop called SPG in Salem MA to fix these issues right now. While I drove the car for about 25 miles last month while I was in Florida and it seems to run fine apart from the lack of power and skipping of the engine, how should I go about making sure all other maintenance is done? It was well maintained prior to me leaving Florida. I always maintained a car based on miles - not time.

I saw the maintenance schedule and that seems really aggressive for a non-modded DSM, but I really don't know. I also don't know what some of the items listed are. Should I simply print that list and ask the mechanic to check it off, or is that list make sense for when you are repairing, checking yourself? Or, should this be done in stages or groups or areas of the car (e.g. if this is apart, might as well change x)? I also don't want to spend thousands on maintenance when I don't even know if something major is about to go and can't be fixed.

2 - How do I determine if a mechanic is best suited to fix this car?

It sounds like a strange question, but I don't have a mechanic as all my other cars are new. I cannot find a DSM club or something to ask. I have also not seen a DSM car here in perhaps a decade. I took the car to a place called SPG in Salem, MA. I asked if they were familiar and the guy said one of the mechanics has a GSX. I figured that is a good start. I am having them change the plugs and wires, plus the Odometer cable/sensor as a trial. The shop was recommended as being very fair.

 

[waltah]

1. Check the valve timing. Since you say it runs you're already past 'way off -- might bend valves or even worse' but a one-tooth error will cause a definite loss of power and if the belt/tensioner are sorry enough to allow a single tooth skip then tearing up your engine isn't that far off.

On a long out of service car this is always the first step to take -- nothing else except 'no oil' will trash your engine when you try to start it.

While checking timing check the belt. Any serious wear, certainly any cracks or missing parts of teeth, replace that sucker now.

2. Check the compression. That's an indicator of the situation in the cylinders -- wear on valves and rings, possible head gasket leaks, stuff like that. At 85k miles compression should be pretty even and not far below spec. Your mechanic will be able to interpret the findings for you.

While the plugs are out, look at their condition --- should all be the same color, minimal to no soot -- and check the gaps per specs for your model. Pre-gapped new plugs may not be correctly gapped for your car. Replacing plug wires is never a bad idea -- insulation goes downhill with age and heat.

3. Change the oil. Again, never a bad idea and some kinds of bad things show up there.

4. Check that the car idles smoothly at the right RPM and that switching on headlights causes only a brief and slight drop in RPM. Turning on A/C should increase the idle RPM slightly and you should get cold air in a minute or so. This checks the various throttle valve settings (some of which also affect running) and the A/C.

5. Test drive again. If power is still low or you still have skipping get that figured out.

6. Get mechanic to look at ball joints, tie rod ends, and brakes. 85k miles is where all that stuff starts to need doing for the first time.

That's enough for starters. Just checking valve timing is a pretty good check on a mechanic. Any mech who drives a GSX should be completely confident in checking your car and if necessary changing the belt.

You can talk about a whole lot of other routine maintenance and checks but other than the timing belt, oil, and chassis work according to miles and driving conditions just drive it and when something turns up, deal with it.

 

[ipWitan]

Thank you so much. I am a newbie but a researcher. I have probably spent 20 hours since Saturday making a roadmap...planning maintenance basic upgrades like lights. Doors may not lock...fob gone...ya know basics. Lol