Service Game Plan this weekend

[Perfectlap]

Going in for 30K service this weekend.
I'm thinking of having them do some of the work and doing some myself because some things need to be done that aren't included in the 30K service(with new wipers! LOL)

Here's what the car needs

1-annual oil change and filter- $240 alone or $950 as part of 30K service.
2-Air and Cabin filter (part of 30K)
3-Spark Plugs (part of 30K)
4-Drive belt (squeaky at start up some times) $150
5-Brake Flush $240
6-Alignment $425 dealer LOL, $90 Speed shop (autoX sponsor)
7-New Key Fob clicker programming $90
8-General inspection $100

I'm planning to have the dealer do all but 2,3 and 6.
any thoughts?
I'm tempted to do the oil and filter myself but at the momment my "tool kit" consists of a race jack, torque wrench, two jack stands, and a Craftsman socket set. Finding Black cap Mobil 1 last time I shopped for a bottle was either expensive or could not be sourced locally. I think I found a quart of 0-40 at Autozone for $8 recently.

[unklekraker]

P/L, no room in your inbox...

[Perfectlap]

ahh thanks.

[unklekraker]

let me know if there's room..im sending you a off topic PM

[MNBoxster]

Hi,

You could save $110-$120 and do the Poly-rib Belt yourself. Mine cost me $30. It's just as easy as doing the Plugs. You need to remove the engine Firewall and need a 24mm Socket. Takes about 10 min. tops. Use the socket to move the Tensioner Pulley to relieve the tension. Slip old Belt off and thread new Belt on, release tensioner Pulley, button everything back up. Take Wife/GF out to dinner with your new found wealth. If interested, send me a PM for the procedure...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

[Perfectlap]

hmmm, I've changed belts and hoses on previous cars but that's my untrained diagnosis to the random squeal on the Boxster.
I'm sure they will charge me to verify, have no idea what else it could be.
But that belt has to be replaced after six years. Let's see what they say.

p.s.
if someone videotaped all this simple DIY stuff they could make a ton of dinero with all these second hand 986's starting rack up miles and trading ownership hands. Or it would be pirated and put on YouTube.

[FrayAdjacent]

Sounds like a lot of the stuff you could do yourself and save some money. Definitely the items you highlighted... but it does sound like the belt would also be an easy one. IMHO, the brake flush wouldn't be too cumbersome either, as well as the oil change. I've found Mobil 1 0W40 locally for I think around $6.49/qt. At least that's what I think it was when I changed my oil in January.

Given my car has 45k on it, and I unfortunately didn't get the service history with the car, and I intend to keep the car for a long time... I might to do the following things over the next year or so:

Change the belt
Change spark plugs
Change O2 sensors
Clean MAF
Clean idle air valve and replace the gasket
Flush brakes with better fluid
Change AOS and hoses
Replace oil filler hose
Replace dipstick tube

At about 60k, I think I'll get new rotors, since I changed my pads at about 41k, and the rotors did have a bit of wear. MAYBE find a set of 996 brakes to swap.

[shaman1204]

perfectlap wrote:

"Going in for 30K service this weekend.
I'm thinking of having them do some of the work and doing some myself because some things need to be done that aren't included in the 30K service(with new wipers! LOL)

Here's what the car needs

1-annual oil change and filter- $240 alone or $950 as part of 30K service.
2-Air and Cabin filter (part of 30K)
3-Spark Plugs (part of 30K)
4-Drive belt (squeaky at start up some times) $150
5-Brake Flush $240
6-Alignment $425 dealer LOL, $90 Speed shop (autoX sponsor)
7-New Key Fob clicker programming $90
8-General inspection $100

I'm planning to have the dealer do all but 2,3 and 6.
any thoughts?
I'm tempted to do the oil and filter myself but at the momment my "tool kit" consists of a race jack, torque wrench, two jack stands, and a Craftsman socket set. Finding Black cap Mobil 1 last time I shopped for a bottle was either expensive or could not be sourced locally. I think I found a quart of 0-40 at Autozone for $8 recently."


I was going to do #'s 1, 2 3, and 4 on my own for my upcoming 30k. Already had the alignment done when I got new tires. Do I need a brake flush? I have a 2001, wasn't able to track down any service records. When I had the PPI done they said the brakes were at 50% and the oil was fresh, but I just want to do it for my piece of mind. Also, for the oil change, should I just buy the oil catcher that can be closed up, drop it off at an oil change shop and call it a day? I figured that if I only change it once a year the $10-12 for the catcher isn't going to break me. How does everyone else dispose of their oil?
__________________

[JackG]

For the brakes... yes, they need new fluid. Get a Motive brand power bleeder and some Super Blue fluid, and do it yourself for under $100.

Do a search on this forum for the procedure, and the best sources, for these products. It's an easy DIY, I did it a few months ago.

In SC, there are county disposal places that have large drums to put your old oil in. I have an oil drain pan that I've used for a few years that I just drain into their collection drums and re-use. Is it different up there?

[shaman1204]

I don't know if it is different in Chicago, but I remember seeing a sign on or near the door of my old express lube saying they have to accept used motor oil by law.