How to Maintain Old Cars?

Following is a preventive maintenance for old cars with budget conscious, as most old car owner are in control of their financial spending.  This mainly for 8 - 30 yr old Japanese car, i.e. Honda and Toyota, as they are more reliable and have shorter list than Germany and US cars.

They are break into priority, and severity

#	Failure	Priority	Severity	Part Cost Estimate	Justification
1	Oxygen Sensor - front	High	High	$50 - $100	It has 7-10 yr life, and will impact mpg
2	Oxygen Sensor - rear	High	High	$50 - $180	It has 10-15 yr life, and will impact mpg.  The reason is has longer life compare to front sensor is due to it is further away from exhaust header, so it is under lower temperature
3	Transmission oil	Low	Low	$20 - $120	For non-CVT car, you need to replace less frequent, which is ~ 5 yr, 60,000 miles, 96,000 km.  For CVT, replaces every 3 yr, especially for generation 1 - 2 of the CVT cars.  Honda tends to have CVT failure, and it is unknown whether yearly transmission fluid replacement will prevent it.  Transmission overhaul/repair cost $1000 even for Civic
4	Spark plugs	High	High	$70 - $120	Cars starting 2000 are starting to use long live platinum plugs, which last until 10 yr, or only replace the one that starts miss firing to save cost.  I only waited max of 15 yr.  Platinum plug cost $15/each, so if you want to save cost, just keep 1 spare, and replace whichever one that start breaking.  Out of 4 or 6 plugs, some could last 20 yr
5	Timing belt	High	High	$50 - $100	7 yr, or 110,000 miles, 176,000 km.  If the car's VIN starts with J (made in Japan), then it could last more than 15 yr
6	Coolant	Low	Low	$10	5 yr.  No urgency as engine won't suddenly overheat, and this is a gradual process.  Ensure the coolant is compatible with your manufacturer, which will be written on the rear label.  Coolant compatible with US made or Germany often not compatible with Honda & Toyota.  Wrong coolant type will degrade the life of the components
7	Boot - Front drive shaft CV boot	Low	Low	$10	15 - 20 yr.  Replacing the boot when it shows early sign of crack.  After it cracked, then you have to spend $60+ to replace the shaft & boot.  There are left & right boot, so inspects both.  Shaft failure will cause sound when turning
8	Tie rod end bushing	Low	Low	$10 - $30	The rubber will torn after ~ 10 yr.  It affects the car alignment, and indirectly causing shorter tire life.  One new tire easily cost more than 1 tie rod
9	Wheel bearing	Low	Low	$20 - $50	In 10 yr, 5% of the car might experience bearing failure.  It will affect mpg by 5%, as well as noise (louder as speed increase)
10	Car alignment	Low	Low	$70 - $100	10 yr.  It shorten tire life due to uneven wear
11	Tire alignment	Low	Low	$15- $40	If you are replacing tire every 5 yr, then perform tire alignment every 5 yr.  If there is a drive shaft, or toe rod failure, then it could causes uneven tire wear, so you need to perform tire alignment
12	Exhaust - Muffler	Low	Low	$50- $150	Rust will build up under the car, and exhaust pipe as well as muffler are commonly the victim.  After 10 yr of rust build up, the pipe or muffler can have a hole anytime.  Knocks on the entire exhaust from exhaust header all the way to muffler at the end to detect any early sign of rust that will rust through and form a hole.  Knock gently or you will have to immediately replace the pipe/muffler if you crack it (as it could be 90% rust through)
13	Catalytic converter	Low	Low	$100 - $180 (aftermarket), $2000 (original)	After 10-20 yr, this sometimes last for the entire life of the car.  Its failure will affect mpg & engine power (incomplete combustion).  It will trigger post O2 sensor check-engine-light.  If you replaced your O2 sensor and it still triggering O2 sensor error code, then you know you need to replace this part.  The inspection can only be perform visually, and cannot use on-board computer sensors.  Remove it and see whether the platinum honeycomb has crack.  Shake it to hear any cracked metal.  90% of the time, this is accurate.   My 17 yr old Honda/Acura's unit still look like new.  Recommends to buy original part (> $2000) as after market often need longer bolts, different gasket, or length is a few mm different, which will delay the repair as you need to buy another bolts.  None original can be found 1/10 of the price, but are either having 50% of platinum honeycomb, or has <50 life="" of="" original.="" p="" the=""> Another point to indicate is for old car, when replacing rear/post O2 sensor that attach to catalytic converter, the rust might might crack through it where it is holding the O2 sensor.  There is a risk of breaking it when replacing O2 sensor. Junk yard doesn't carry used catalytic converter for some reason
14	Exhaust - flex pipe or spring bolt	Low	Low	$50 - $100	After ~ 10 yr it is common that you will need to replace either the flex pipe or spring bolt before the catalytic converter.  Flex pipe typically torn and will leak a small amount of exhaust gas, which you can smell in sitting inside the car.  Spring bolt tends to last longer, but will snap when changing the engine oil pan gasket or catalytic converter when you touch it.  Spring bolt should cost $20 - $30
15	Engine valve cover gasket	Low	Low	$12	Minor oil leak at the top of engine starting ~ 7 yr as the gasket get harden, and can't seal tight any more.  Some car can last until 15 yr old, but my recommendation is to change at 10 yr age.  It is cheap and quick to replace for all car models.  The slow leak will cause the engine slowly covered with thick dust.  When it started to leak more, then you can smell the burning engine oil smell inside the car.  There will be oil dripping on the floor as well.  By looking at the top of the engine, you can detect the leak which starts slowly, so you have ample of time to plan the budget
16	Engine oil pan gasket	Low	Low	$10	~ 10 yr is my recommendation.  It tends to occur few years after engine valve cover gasket leak.  The labor is 2 - 3 hr, but the part is cheap.  Some exhaust part will break, such as flexpipe/spring bolt upon replacement (they are blocking the oil pan) so it is good to replace them together.  Unlike valve cover gasket, you won't smell burning engine oil, but it will drip on the floor.  You need to ask technician to inform you when you do the oil change.  You have ample of time to plan the budget, as it starts slowly even after 20 yr
17	Upper control arm	Low	Low	$30 - $100	~ 10 yr the rubber bushing will crack, and entire arm needs to be replaced.  It affects car alignment, and uneven tire wear.  It is a cheap part
18	Lower control arm	Low	Low	$30 - $100	~ 10 yr the rubber bushing will crack, and entire arm needs to be replaced.  It affects car alignment, and uneven tire wear.  It is a cheap part
19	Engine valve cover PVC valve	Low	Low	$3	~ $15 yr, the carbon could build up in this small plastic valve on the valve cover (circulate the air back into intake boot).  If you use WD-40 or any spray to clean this valve every yr to remove the carbon, then it will last forever.  Else spends a couple dollar to replace it when it doesn't make a knocking sound on shaking.  This affects mpg as well as emission check
20	Vacuum hoses	Low	High	$10	~ 10 yr, the vacuum hose will be harden, and could affects various components.  For mine, it started with cruise control, as it can't keep the speed.  The hose is $1.50/ft, so you can buy as less as possible
21	Fast idle valve solenoid	Low	High	Free	This is specific to Honda old car.  At ~ 15 yr old, the valve will loosen, and needs to remove it and tighten it by screwing it in by 2-5 turns.  No need to replace any part, and all the gasket can be reuse.  Those gasket seems to last more than 20 yr
22	Radiator hoses	Low	High	$15	~ 15 yr, the radiator hose might become too soft with age, and could burst at random.  The hose is cheap.  Shorter one ~ $10, and longer one ~ $20.  One of them is lower and another is upper
23	Thermostat	Low	Low	$10	~ 15 yr old.  Buy only original the original thermostat, and don't buy higher temperature model (after market), as higher temperature will degrade other parts, such as PCV valve, radiator hose, although it could improve mpg and warmer heater air
24	Fuel filter	Low	Low	$5	~ 10 yr.  This is just preventive maintenance in case of poor fuel quality has cause some dirt accumulated.  I have never see car break down due to broken fuel filter.  There is no rubber gasket involve, and all metal.  No electronic pumps involve as well, so no electronic failure can cause car breakdown
24	Battery	Low	Low	$0 - $300	Invests in a cheap 12V battery charger that can charge 1A or 2A.  Every 6 months, charge the battery with 1A/2A, and it will last for more than 10 yr.  If your battery is weak, or fully drain, charge it with 1A (or 2A), and don't use 3A or higher.  You might able to get more life from it, instead of thinking it is dead. Avoid smart charger, as they confuse a weak or fully drained old battery as bad battery.  If you only have smart charger, then you need to buy another small 12V battery to charge in parallel to fool it

Other Unexpected Repair

Honda & Toyota are the most reliable car in the world, but there are still some random failure.  These could happen to any of the 10% car owner

1. Fuel pump $70 - issue should be intermittent before it totally break
2. Idle air control valve - only causes intermittent high idle, and poor mpg.  Intermittent before it get more consistent
3. MAP sensor - issue should be intermittent before it totally break.  Car won't start on failure
4. Motor mount $10
5. Air cond leak $5 - due to aged o-ring
6. Transmission clutch plate - gear stick or slip, and should be intermittent at the beginning
7. Front/rear hood lift support - oil leak due to age ~ $20
8. Starter motor $200- intermittent can't start car (no crack, no start).  Knock on the starter motor, and it should start, or prepare a small power tool battery (12V or 18V) to jump start it
9. Air cond compressor $250
10. Alternator $200 - can't charge battery (after turn off, can't turn on any more as battery is low)
11. Fuel injector relay cracked solder $10 - occurs to most Honda prior of 2000.  Needs to resolder.  Intermittent issue
12. Ignition distributor $10 - aged o-ring ($1), bearing ($10)
13. Shock absorber $50
14. Stabilizer bar bushing $4
15. Ignition coil $20 - intermittent issue, random misfiring.  You can replace the one which is failing to save cost
16. Tire air leak $100 - commonly due to bend rim, or rusted steel rim, so that the rubber can't seal the air tight, and slow leak.  Replaces with a used rim for $20 to save money

Preventive Maintenance Consideration for TCO (Total Cost of Ownership)

First thing to consider when maintaining an old car is first asks yourself how long you are going to keep the car, and your reason of keeping it

1. If you are going to sell soon, then fix those oil leaks to increase its resale value.  Spends $100 - $150 for 3-stage polish to remove the swirl marks, as well as clean engine bay
2. If you only care about only car breakdown, then repair the Severity High issues.  You can't plan ahead for those "unexpected" repair list
3. If you going to keep for 5 year, then repair the Severity High, and asks technician to advise which of the Severity Low items that show early sign of failure
4. If you are going to keep more than 5 year, then perform preventive maintenance of $300 (parts only).  Reserve another $300 for the rest.  The entire list is $600 (parts)

Tips to Save Money

1. Learn some DIY online, e.g. car forum, and YouTube.  Some of those items are easy for DIY with regular socket wrench, and no special tools required
2. If you want to get more complete tools, spend $200 - $400, as sending to mechanics can easily cost $300 per visit.  Assumes 1 hr cost $75, then 4 hr cost $300 (which is about 2 repair)
3. If you owned a 7 yr or older BMW, Merc Benz, Audi, then $300 is just the labor cost for 1 visit, as the mechanics charge $100/hr
4. Starts by DIY things that is easy to replace
5. Spends $20 to buy a used car ramp, instead of car jack