Jr questions from a Jr mechanic on basic maintenance items.

[Ducst4]

On my 89 Carrera 3.2, I will be replacing the DME Relay, Distributor cap, Ignition Rotor, Ignition Wires (preventive maintenance) this weekend.

Is my procedure OK, are there things I should be careful about or missing.

DME Relay:
1) Remove driver seat
2) Disconnect the (-) battery cable . Wait 1 minutes
3) Replace the Relay (keep old relay as a spare)

Distributor cap, Ignition Rotor:
To replace cap and rotor
1) Use flat screwdriver to press down and turn cap hold down pins 1/4 turn each.
2) Lift off cap.
3) Pull straight up on rotor to remove it from distributor shaft.
4) The rotor can only be mounted in 1 position
5) Align tab in the rotor shaft with notch in the distr. shaft and push the rotor into place
6) Leave wires in old cap, mount new cap on distributor and lock both pins.
7) Change over one plug wire at a time from old cap.

Ignition Wires
1) Take off the old one plug in the new one (one at a time)

[Zef]

Look pretty good for a newbie, Al...!

[01sport]

Newbie to newbie,
You should not have to remove seat to change DME relay. Just push seat all the way back and remove plastic piece that protects front of relay. 2 philips screws as I recall.

While you are in the distributor you may want to lube the centrifical advance mechanism with Bosch grease. Also consider pulling the felt plug from the distributor shaft and adding about 6 drops of 3in1 oil then reinsert the felt plug.

I have not changed my plug wires but if I did I would consider removing the A/C compressor mounting plate to dress the wires in nicely on the right side. This is probably not neccessary. I'm sure another Pelican will chime in with advise.

Jeff

[Rot 911]

What Jeff said on the DME relay. You can easily remove it with the seat in place. Mine is held down my a 10mm nut.

[Rot 911]

What Jeff said on the DME relay. You can easily remove it with the seat in place. Mine is held down by a 10mm nut.

[Ducst4]

Zefsuper911,

I`m coming to your house for help if this gets too complicated

Did the ice and snow melt on your street?....lol..

[Zef]

Naaaaaa....streets are free of snow but get a lot of dirt on it...if you need me just send me an e-mail....I'll will be in the garage all the week end for camshaft timing+Cat bypass+Monty free flow exhaust+Engine mount installation...Hope to get the baby out for the first of April...if weather permit...!

[Ducst4]

Here....I still have snow on my car





Got a little water leak in the garage also

[livi]

All good fun stuff!

How about other basic features like motor oil / filter, air filter, fuel filter, valve adjustment and gear lube ?

[glenncof]

OEM wires are gonna cost ya alot. I heard they were good for 100K. Note the extenders unscrew from the wires.

There are some aftermarket wires (can't recall name, magnacore ?) that are Red 8mm for ~$120 but will require holders to be drilled out and have read some problems keeping them on the plugs.

Work on something else until you can research and make a plan.

[Ducst4]

Hey Markus

Just off the top of my head this is what I would do:

Valve adjustment.
Change your spark plugs, rotor and distributor cap.
Check your plug wires and wire boots for cracks/deterioration.
New air filter
New fuel filter
Check CV boots and bolts
Change oil and filter
Replace tranny fluid. There is no filter and the transmission and differential are one unit using the same fluid.
Get a new DME relay and change out the old one. Keep the old one for a spare.
Upgrade your lights by installing relays to take the load off the wires in the system.
Check your fuses and replace the ones that look corroded or just old.

[Zef]

Hey Al...if you need help for valves adjustment and CV joints...I can give you a hand...Just finish that job on mine...

[Early_S_Man]

It may be a bit OCD to pull the battery cable before changing the DME relay ...

Not a bad idea to clean both battery posts and cconnectors, and all of the major ground straps, though!

[01sport]

Ducst4,

More newbie to newbie preventative maintenance tips. How many miles on your 89?

Check to see if your Cylinder head temperature sensor has 2 wires. If not swap out with new 2 wire model.
O2 sensor could need swapping out. I have heard every 50k.
Change brake fluid/clutch fluid every 2 years. I did mine, it was not fun. You might want to take it to a mechanic. Bleeding the clutch slave cylinder is a major PITA.
Check torque on intake manifold barrel nuts. I have not done this yet. I have heard they can get loose. Spec is 18ft/lb.


Anyone know where I can find a write up on installing headlight relay on an 87? Looking for tips on wiring and a good place to mount the relay.

Jeff

[billroth]

Originally posted by 01sport
Ducst4,
...

Anyone know where I can find a write up on installing headlight relay on an 87? Looking for tips on wiring and a good place to mount the relay.

Jeff

Look up "sucro" here or on Rennlist and buy his kit.

Lawrence

[Ducst4]

Thanks Jeff

I have 65 000 original miles on my 89, I'm the second owner
She is in Mint condition, I'm just looking to keep her running at peak level.