I'm gonna be doing some maintenance for the first time on my '85 GS and was curious about a couple of things.

First I went to my local Napa Auto Parts store and got an oil filter but it is smaller than the one that is currently on there. I haven't compared the sizes of the threads or rubber gasket (I'll do that tomorrow when I start the maintence projects). I'm assuming that this is the right filter, anyone know different? And I searched the site and apparently 20/50 is the best oil to use, correct?

Second, I also got a new thermostat, I don't think there's one in there now because the overflow has a lot of sludgy stuff in it and the guage never really moves. So, what's the best thing to do to clean out my cooling system?

Thirdly, what else should I do for normal maintence other than change the oil and check and fill the normal under the hood fluids?


Thanks for the info!

 

spark plugs and all the liquids and ofcource all the filters.

 

The orginal oil filter is small probally 1/2 the size of a regular filter, so yeah on that 1

Hope the thermostat you got was a mazda one... I never cared for aftermarket thermostats.

20/50 summer , 10/40 winter

 

Go to your local parts store and get some Prestone "Super Flush"... Read and follow the instructions. It should work wonders on Radiator sludge.

Definitely Make sure you change ALL the fluids and filters if you want to get it running well.

Oil, Coolant (after the flush), Transmission, Rear Differential... Oil Filter, Fuel Filter, Air Filter... Check and replace spark plugs and wires, distributor cap and rotor..

All the basics

Jon

 

Yeah, change all the fluids. Check the brake and clutch master cylinders for black stuff: your seals may be deteriorating. Put 2oz. of MMO in the next tank of gas, and a couple after that, then 4oz. then finally 8oz. per tank.

I'm not sure what weight oil is best. I'm going to switch to Redline 10-30 soon. Now i'm using castrol 20-40.

B

 

Use NGK plugs; be careful with aftermarket plugs: the electrodes may stick down too far and clip the apex seals. Oh-oh.

B

 

Regarding cleaning the radiator there is a difference between the Prestone Super Flush and the Cleaner. The Flush is for radiators that need a minor cleaning and are in pretty good shape and the Cleaner is for getting rid of some of the caked on white corrosion seen under the cap. When done refill with distilled or deionized water as it will contain no minerals that cake onto the core. Prestone has a pretty good cooling system that has a T valve that fits into the heater hose and to a garden hose to flush. Just make sure the T valve is closed very tightly as it has few threads and can leak. I like the Prestone Low Tox or Sierra coolant as my dog is usually walking around the car as I am changing the antifreeze. I do not want to poison him.

 

James, I am looking for the most powerful cleaning product available, because I've seen evidence of white residue powder in some of the coolant lines. Someone on here mentioned superflush, and I jumped on it thinking it was good..

you're saying "The Cleaner" is better? Where do you get this stuff and who makes it?

The flush I got doesn't have a hose t-valve or anything, it's just a litre of fluid that you mix with (up to 11) litres of water, run through the system, and drain.

My car's been sitting in one place for 4 years.. it needs the most serious treatment it can get for that kind of buildup.

Jon

PS: Incase you don't bother checking this thread again, I'm gonna PM this to you.