geez, that's a lot of stuff in the back of the manual... i didn't realize i was neglecting my car so terribly. i'm starting off with a timing belt change... gonna cost me like $300 at a local mechanic. and next weeken we're doing simple replacements such as transmission fluid, spark plus, wires, etc. i hope it's a good start (?)

 

is that 300 just for timing belt change?
hope not, tell us the deal your getting and waht is involved, also shop around

 

so are you saying you didn't get your oil changed for 60+ k miles???

or you just didn't replace things like the pcv valves, and belts n stuff?

 

Seems like she's had the oil changed at some interval but that's it. So basically, all of the scheduled maintenance for over 60 thousand miles has been skipped!

Here's everything you need to have done.

Replace air cleaner element
Inspect idle speed
Inspect PCV valve
Inspect valve clearance
Replace fuel filter
Inspect fuel pipes, hoses and connections
Replace spark plugs
Inspect distributor ignition cap and rotor
Inspect ignition wires
Replace engine oil
Replace engine oil filter
Inspect alternator drive belt
Inspect cooling system hoses and connections
Replace engine coolant
Replace timing belt
Replace water pump
Inspect catalytic converter heat shield
Inspect exhaust pipes
Replace transmission oil/fluid
Inspect clutch master cylinder
Inspect clutch hydraulic cylinder
Inspect clutch release arm travel
Replace clutch hydraulic fluid
Inspect brake pads
Inspect brake discs
Inspect brake calipers
Inspect brake hoses and lines
Inspect parking brake
Replace brake fluid (including ABS system)
Inspect ABS system operation
Replace ABS system high-pressure hose
Inspect wheel alignment
Inspect steering operation, tie rod ends, steering gearbox and boots
Inspect power steering system (pump, lines, connections, etc)
Inspect power steering pump belt
Inspect suspension mounting bolts

It ain't gonna be cheap. I'd reccomend finding a good shop--not some neighborhood gas station or whatever--that specializes in Hondas and Acuras and tell em what the whole deal is. They can do all the scheduled maintenance that you've skipped. If you can't afford to have it all done at once figure out "stages" with them that you can have stuff done in. You've got a LOT of catching up to do.

 

yup, i shopped around and the $300 is only for timing belt change, labor included. sucks i can't work on the car myself...
i'll keep calling around but i've almost had it because it's just gonna cost me around that much unless i come across a miracle, i.e. raining money.

 

i have the oil changed every 3000k miles - been pretty good with that. but all else, such as pcv valves, belts, and etc., i haven't done. i guess i didn't do all this because the car seemed fine. no quirks, no squeals, no breakage or black smoke

 

Mike, thanks a bunch for the details. I have a clear idea now as to what my car needs from me... a costly idea. I'll begin with the most vital parts of the car.

 

Valve Adjustment (dealer)
Brakes (yourself, if you want ....)
Timing Belt (dealer)
Fuel Filter (do it yourself)
Oil Change (yourself)
Tranny Flush (yourself)
Coolant Flush (yourself)
PCV Valve (yourself)

 

How many PCV valves do I need?

 

I'm looking into NGK spark plugs and found regular and platinum. What are the differences and how do I know which one I want or need?