'03 w/44K-General things to do to it....

[Grandpa]

My wife's '03 w/44k on it is running fine, but....I want to do some general preventive maintenance. I'm thinking of changing out the battery, it's 5 yrs. old, don't want that thing going out w/her in it....the yellow engine light just came on, I'm thinking the O2 sensor could use replacing, along w/possibly another emissions sensor or two....I hear the fuel and/or water pumps have plastic impellars, thinking about changing those.....will also be doing the oil and water, fuel/air/oil filters.......any other general tips? I'm huge on preventive maintenance, would rather do it now and get r done before it breaks.....it may be a bit early for the timing belt, but I was thinking about doing that too.....will probably change out the plugs, maybe the wires....I guess I'm looking for problems that would be out of the ordinary, and suggestions on what those may be and what the best fix would be?......I'm thinkin' stuff that may be "outside the manual"......any suggestions and experience's would interest me, and thanks.....
G'pa

[05yellowbeetle]

The water pump has a plastic impeller, the one on my '98 went out at 60,000 (9 years old). The timing belt drives the water pump, so if you are going to do one, you might as well do the other (it's rather stupid not to, as a gentleman my dad met beside the road can vouch for, mechanic said time for timing belt, under 500 miles later, the water pump went and left him stranded).

go to autozone/advance auto parts and get the code read, it may be as simple as a vacuum line came off.

[SuperTrooper]

Originally Posted by 05yellowbeetle

go to autozone/advance auto parts and get the code read, it may be as simple as a vacuum line came off.

While you are at Autozone(or similar store) have them test your battery (It's free). No sense in trashing a decent battery.

[Grandpa]

Good call on getting the code read, although I'll still prolly change the sensor.....and yeah, I kinda hate to change out a working battery, but most batteries I've dealt w/don't last 7 years, although she doesn't drive it much....I may wait until next summer on that, the heat seems harder on it than the cold. Also-good call on the timing belt, I had forgot about that.....

Oh yeah, the trunk lid needs some work too. I've heard others with that problem on here....gotta push the button once, walk back, lift on it, and push the button again.....sure wish they'da put a keyhole on that lid....and of course, the trunk release doesn't work on the key fob I use, but hers works, and it needs two clicks to get it open....I'm thinking the lifters or "shocks" (forgot what those are called) are going bad, I know I had to replace the ones on the tailgate of the Caravan....either that, or the decals are too heavy!



Still lookin' for some general advice on what else to change out/take a look at.....

[LadybugEwa]

When you do the plugs, be SURE to do the wires as well. They're quite useless after being disconnected just that one time. The ignition coil is just down the line from that. It's a high-failue item, as the black plastic housing gets hairline cracks and eventually lets in moisture. Search for JB Weld coil DIY on the vortex. Took my coil 9 years to die, so yours isn't THAT crucial yet, but definitely worth taking a close look at.
Do do the fuel filter. Don't break the clip!!!! If you do, you'll be changing the whole fuel line