Healthy DSM

[whiteDSM]

What are some things you can do to keep the motor running in tip top condition.

oil change, timing, sparkplugs. anything else im missing?

 

[agentorange313]

waterpump, oil pump, maybe remove balance shaft. You can also change the air filter, a nice K&N one.

 

[HurleyTSi]

They're just cars man therefore general automotive maintenance is recommended.

Differential fluids should be added to that list.

Cooling system flush, replace thermostat (if broken), replace cracked hoses.

The list could go on forever.

 

[alwesterholm]

You have a DSM that is about to become a classic, so particular care should be taken in many aspects as things have aged nearly 20 years. All rubber should be checked for wear and all fluids should be drained and changed if not done recently.

A clean car makes it easy to see leaks and wear. I would reccommend the detailed cleaning that allows you to see bare metal, rubber, plastic and painted surfaces free of oil and dirt residue under the hood and undercarriage. This makes it easy to pin point problem areas.

I would say to be sure to pay attention to areas that wear out with mileage like wheel bearings and u-joints.

 

[DSM1G90]

a nice K&N one.

As long as you keep them clean on a more frequent basis than what they recommend, you're okey with them. But you let them go any longer, they'll do more damage to your motor than a stock paper element would since it does allow more air to pass through them, but also allows more fine dust particles to pass where a regular paper filter would normally capture. Thx, but no thx, I'm staying with paper..

Some vehicle owners can run millions of miles on one vehicle (and it doesn't have to be a DSM) if ALL of the prevent maintenance in the owner's manuals are followed along with the usage of common sense.

One DSM I know of has 365k miles on the speedometer - all original stuff including motor and this owner just follows his manual like the bible.

It's funny on how vehicle owners complain of the issues that they have with their cars, and if they would just follow instructions as listed, they would save themselves tonnage of wasted time from unecessary complaining.

And my family and I are one of them who follow instructions. My father has 285k miles on his '91 Chev S-10 and is still running like it was when he drove it off the showroom floor.

-DSM
-DSM

 

[6bolt2gdsm]

Along with engine and drivetrain maitenance you should also keep an eye on your chassi as well. Such as ball joints, tie rod ends, control arms, and even your suspension. A car thats becoming a classic as well as gettin harder to find, at least around here, will be worth money down the road if kept in good shape.

 

[sax_man]

Timing belt tensioner!!!!