I have a very clean 01 S Type 3.0 that has about 83k miles. I have been driving it more lately and decided that if I'm going to keep the car, I should probably do some preventative maintenance to avoid some of the horror stories that I read on the forum.

The car was purchased in December 2011 with 67k miles on the clock. It was traded at a local large car dealer and it was purchased at auction (I'm a retail dealer).

So, I have already done the shift cable and metal part of the shifter per recommendations and also after getting the "fault" indicator on the display. That was done back in July 2012 and has not given problems since.

In February 2013 I did valve cover gaskets, coil packs and spark plugs.

Here's what I have been doing over the past few weeks:

• Replaced breather elbow. Although it was not leaking, when I removed it the elbow was showing signs of collapse.
• Replaced upper/lower plenum gaskets.
• Replaced rubber tip of breather hose (other end of breather elbow).
• Replaced upper/lower radiator hose to avoid brittle plastic from catching up with me.
• Removed radiator and condenser, washing the coils of each.
• Replaced water pump to outlet hose.
• Replaced heater control valve due to low heat last winter.
• Replaced serpentine belt (appeared to be original and stretched nearly to limit of tensioner).
• Replaced expansion tank (sure enough, it was cracked in several places).
• New wiper blades.
• New cabin air filter.

I was considering whether to replace the water pump but it wasn't leaking and is not that big of a job if it comes up later.

A few suggestions for those doing similar maintenance:

• Remove the radiator fan assembly when working on the belt drive or heater control valve. The space that it opens up is far better than working out it.
• Remove the heater control valve as an "octopus" as suggested by other members. Disconnect the other ends of the hoses and pull the thing out with hoses attached (5-port unit anyway).

This car is old, but runs quite well.

 

Great job Tony. You did not mention anything about replacing the IMT O-rings, and also what do you think about replacing the vacuum lines that are known to become quite brittle as well?


Happy to read that your '01 is running up to par! Keep up the good preventative maintenance.

 

Did it have IMT valves / do the rings need doing for an 01?

 

Yes, I replaced those IMT o rings as well. The ones in the car were yellow and not leaking. The ones that I replaced were green. Forgot to include that.


I replaced the hard plastic connector that runs between both valve covers and connects at the intake (fresh air intake into engine). The rest of them were not brittle at all.

 

Other than the window regulators and the leaking boot seals for water ingress, I can't think of anything more.

I usually pop a small hole in the boot floor next to the battery in case the seals leak so the spare wheel well does NOT fill with water.

bob gauff

 

Well, I actually did replace the LH window mechanism about 2 years ago. It was a quick and simple job.

 

I would inspect the bottom of the AC compressor. Very common for these to leak and you don't need to fix it right away but if you have any green/yellow stains that is the AC system oil leaking out.
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I can't believe how I missed that item in the recent service! I guess I was too focused on the hose change. Yes, I did replace the AC compressor since it left a puddle of oil under the car. Never saw it before but I know from experience that if a compressor leaks oil like that, if you let it go it will toast the system.