Over 250,000 miles, what should I consider replacing?

[FATCAT]

Folks, I just rolled over 250,000 miles. I am looking for things that need replacing to do my best to prevent any major problems in the future.

The major things that are in good shape are:
- timing belt good till 290,000
- new shocks/struts at 220,000
- new swaybar bushings at 220,000
- intake cleaned at 200,000 (EGR shut off with Herm's special chip)

Things I am thinking about are:
- change out manual tranny fluid
- change out antifreeze
- new oil pump and chain

What else would you folks consider for this high milage car?

 

[eb2143]

I probably wouldn't change the coolant. It was refreshed at the last timing belt and there is no change interval for the VW fluid.
If the manual transmission fluid is original, I highly recommend you get that done as you say. You should feel a difference at your mileage; I felt a slight difference at half your miles when I changed it.
Are the injector nozzles original?

 

[Corsair]

I'm at 290K with original IP, injectors, nozzles and turbo.
I have a new VNT15 turbo waiting in the box- I plan to electively replace the turbo for peace of mind against the dreaded "runaway" or hydrolock. I've noticed very slight increased oil consumption over last couple years.

Any way, getting back to OP:
I also recommend changing trans fluid. I strongly recommend use this:
http://www.idparts.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=28_126&products_id=1438

(search my other posts if you want). I can tell you first-hand- I used good synthetic 75W-90 at first, which I had read was appropriate for these trans. I experienced some mild shifting issues (light clash going into 2nd) which was fixed by changing the trans fluid to the stuff mentioned above.

Also I'd strongly recommend bleed the brakes if not done already. That's in the manual to be done every 2 years, but it seems few people do it. On that topic, I'll add a "plug" for the motive power bleeder, which allows you to put a slight pressure in the master cyl reservoir. It makes bleeding "almost fun" if you have one.

Good luck!

 

[FATCAT]

I probably wouldn't change the coolant. It was refreshed at the last timing belt and there is no change interval for the VW fluid.
If the manual transmission fluid is original, I highly recommend you get that done as you say. You should feel a difference at your mileage; I felt a slight difference at half your miles when I changed it.
Are the injector nozzles original?

The manual tranny fluid has been changed twice so far (last time at around 175,000).

The injector nozzles are original. Do you recomment replacing them? I am still getting 50 mpg (with the non-winter tires on the car) and the acceleration seems fine.

 

[jake8842]

Folks, I just rolled over 250,000 miles. I am looking for things that need replacing to do my best to prevent any major problems in the future.

The major things that are in good shape are:
- timing belt good till 290,000
- new shocks/struts at 220,000
- new swaybar bushings at 220,000
- intake cleaned at 200,000 (EGR shut off with Herm's special chip)

Things I am thinking about are:
- change out manual tranny fluid
- change out antifreeze
- new oil pump and chain

What else would you folks consider for this high milage car?

I was wondering the same thing about the oil pump. Ive read that some people recomend replacing around 200-300k miles during t-belt change.
I have around 250k and timing belt will be coming up soon and if need i would like to replace the chain and tensioner.From what i have read the oil pump itself is not necessary. Anyone willing to chime in?

 

[eb2143]

The manual tranny fluid has been changed twice so far (last time at around 175,000).

The injector nozzles are original. Do you recomment replacing them? I am still getting 50 mpg (with the non-winter tires on the car) and the acceleration seems fine.

Honestly, given that the tranmission fluid's been changed twice and the car doesn't have any symptoms of injectors needing attention (stumble at idle when cold, very smokey cold starts, reduced FE) or poor shifting, I don't think you need to do anything right now. If you're looking to spend some money on the ride, new nozzles and rebuilt injectors is how I would go.

The oil pump itself shouldn't need to be replaced, I wouldn't think. What does Herm say about that? I know the chain and tensioner are recommended by 300k (so address oil pump at next timing belt change), although I've seen all three recommended recently by some.

 

[ymz]

I just changed the oil pump, chain and tensioner at my ~400,000 mile timing belt service... I would strongly recommend not waiting that long to replace the tensioner, as it had significant wear... Can't speak to the condition of the pump, as I haven't disassembled it to check for wear, but seeing as IDparts has a replacement for $73, Windex recommended I change it as well, as long as I was "in there"...

I should mention that I've already changed the lifters and camshaft, which are also recommended to change around the 300,000 mile mark... (I needed to replace the cylinder head gasket at ~350,000 miles and the cam and lifters were changed at that time...)

Yuri

 

[FATCAT]

I just changed the oil pump, chain and tensioner at my ~400,000 mile timing belt service... I would strongly recommend not waiting that long to replace the tensioner, as it had significant wear... Can't speak to the condition of the pump, as I haven't disassembled it to check for wear, but seeing as IDparts has a replacement for $73, Windex recommended I change it as well, as long as I was "in there"...

I should mention that I've already changed the lifters and camshaft, which are also recommended to change around the 300,000 mile mark... (I needed to replace the cylinder head gasket at ~350,000 miles and the cam and lifters were changed at that time...)

Yuri

Thanks for the info. I might go ahead and buy the parts (oil pump, chain and tensioner) for the next TB service just to have it on hand. With inflation going up like crazy it could cost twice as much by summer or fall.

 

[Dodoma]

Since you are thinking of changing this and that, I don't see you thinking about changing the car.

 

[FATCAT]

Since you are thinking of changing this and that, I don't see you thinking about changing the car.

Changing the car! No way, I am expecting to get 400,000 miles out of it. I don't want another car payment. I have none now and like it that way.

I'm sure if I treat the car right, it will go that far.

 

[Dodoma]

Have you reached 400000 miles by now?