I just completed the transaction for a '02 996tt with 43k miles on it. It's getting shipped from the east coast to me in Denver this week. Since I've got a little time before it arrives, I'm wondering what recommended preventive maintenance projects I should line up? I typically do my own work, I have a garage and tools and years of experience working on BMWs and Audis.

I'm planning a decent road trip at the end of the month (Denver to Jackson Hole) and want to make sure to address any possible bugs before that trip.

What are people running for oil? 0w40 Mobile 1?

Thanks!

 

Congrats! Did you get a PPI, if so, were there any outputs from the report that would help guide you?
Otherwise - do a thorough inspection for leaks, drips, anything out of whack.
In general, try to bundle your maintenance. It may be a bigger cost at once, but you'll avoid having to have a mechanic (or you) get in real deep every time.
- With 43k miles, plugs and likely coilpacks while you are in there (unless they were done recently). While you do that job, also replace the Tappet Bracket, only @$15ea - but they are known to crack and cause issues - it is right there with the plugs/coilpacks.

- Of course check brakes (easy to replace as DIY), brake fluid flush

- Make sure you have same make/model of tires and they are sized appropriately. Check your tire pressures, you can tell a difference with small adjustments. (spec is 36 front and 44 rear, I run 34 front and 42 rear during street use - much less on track)

- For oil, been running Mobil1 5w-40 Turbo Truck Diesel, have also used 5w-50
Always insepct your filter, cut it open.

- Is battery fresh - if not, research how to open your frunk if you run out of juice so you are not stranded.

- Normal hose maintenance and/or Diverter valve replacement/periodic rebuild

- Don't leave your key in the ignition for any length of time, it will drain the battery

- When refueling, hold nozzle upside down and DO NOT try to squeeze in any more gas after it auto shuts off.

Boost in a straight line with plenty of room to come back down to earth.
Respect the power and enjoy!

 

Do all the fluids, I always do this when getting a new (to me) car.

I like Amsoil products, I use the 5w-40 Euro Spec Mid or Full SAPS, but others use M1 TDT or even Rotella T6 which is dirt cheap. I recommend oil changes every 5k personally, but I'm sure others change it later or sometimes even sooner.

Make sure front diff is good, not really any easy way to do this that I know of, lol.

+1 on brake fluid flush, I'd go to Castrol SRF if money isn't a big deal. Otherwise the Motul RBF600 or 660 will work great.

Leave your traction control on, always. Until you push the car to the point where it's in the way, it will save your ***.

 

Make sure you clean the front radiator areas from leaves, sticks, junk, etc.Regularly..
Even when you wash your baby, hit it with a high power water steam up there.
Your radiators will last longer..
Enjoy and good luck with your new baby.

 

Thanks for posting this! I just got an '02 with 43K. I will be replacing fluids/filters in the spring when it comes out of hibernation. I am also hearing that we should change the fuel filter, but I need to research that a bit more. Good luck and enjoy it!

 

i would do everything recommended in the book for a 60k ( or is it 90k major? ) svc. including gear oil and a coolant flush. unless you know they'd been done recently, it's best to start fresh or as fresh as you can. congrats on the acquisition!

 

Great, thanks for the advice. The car had a PPI done, and I have the results - brake pads and rear tires were noted. I'm going to be putting snow tires on it for the remainder on the winter/spring as I do a lot of mountain driving. Pads should be a great first DIY for me.

I'm a fan of upgrading while performing maintenance. I'm assuming hoses and diverter valves can upgraded to something better?

Is there one motor oil that is most commonly used? I need to start stocking up!

 

Motor oil debate is everywhere. Depends on how often you change it, really. ANything is good ifyou do short interval changes. I prefer Amsoil, as I said, but people will swear by M1, some like Rotella, etc, etc. Whatever you use, change it fairly often.

You can go with forged diverter valves. Inlet pipes are a common upgrade, boost hose kits too. Several vendors sell them, make sure your boost hose kit will support the stock clamps unless you plan to upgrade intercoolers, then you'll want a boost kit that will support non-stock clamps.

 

If it's not included in the maintenance history, replace spark plugs and coil packs.

 

0/40 and 5/40 mobil 1 are the most commonly used. plan on topping off a qt per 1k miles but i never run lower than - 1 "bar" on the gauge. do you know what ( if any ) mods have been done? i ask because there are some pretty basic things that owners tend to do when they begin down the mod slope. eg tune/exhaust/dv's etc etc. my point, is try and figure out what's been done ( if anything ) so you can make sure any new mod's will complement what's on there now.

 

Any modern major brand 5W40 synthetic oil, but everyone has their favorites for their own reasons, IMO.

 

Yeah, mine eats oil too! Figure I go through $80 worth of oil then another $130 for a change, lol.

 

dustent,, you should learn how to do you own oil changes,it does take a little bite out of cost of ownership ...
It is not that hard or that bad of a job..

 

Yep, I fully intended on doing my own maintenance - I have the space and tools, just need to make the time to do it!

So far I have:
Fluids (oil & brake, gear lube, coolant)
Brake pads - from PPI, need to be changed
Plugs and Coil Packs
Tappet Bracket
Tire pressure
Check hoses
Check front area for debris

 

"dirt cheap". Now that's the first thing I look for in an oil for my 03 Turbo. Not!