New Solara owner - many questions ... help!!
Hello everyone...
I just purchased a 2000 Solara SLE v6 (green/tan leather). It does have (ahem) 327,000 miles ... but overall, it is in pretty good condition ... but have a few questions about making it last as long as possible - 1-2 years would be great! One caveat before reading: I am no mechanic, in fact ZERO mechanical ability ... so please be gentle and dumb it down for me!!
1) There is a banging sound coming from the rear - I assume it has something to do with the suspension. It sounds like there is something loose and hitting metal. I read that it may be the sway bar bushings ... I have also read that the strut mounts may be so worn that there are free-floating parts just banging around.
2) The car has been on full synthetic oil and I want to keep it that way. I have read that Mobil 1 and Royal Purple are good brands. Any thoughts on using either with 327,000 miles?? Should I be looking at only using a "high mileage" synthetic...and what weight?? I believe that the oil cap reads 5w30. Also, any recommendation for oil filter?
3) Seafoam - I personally love the stuff - used it in other cars but only in the fuel. Has anyone used this stuff in the engine oil and "vacuum" line for the intake?? I was thinking of seafoaming before the tune up (below).
4) Tune up ... the previous owner mentioned she was going to have it done. What should I be looking for when having someone do a tune up?
I was going to have the spark plugs replaced when the tune up is done. Reading one thread mention Denso double platinums (P/N PK20TR11) as well as a new wire set (Denso OK??). Is it good idea to do all this at the same time??
I do not mind spending some money in keeping this car running for a while ... I already know that the plugs and wires will be about $100, tune up about $250, oil change $60 ... are there any other "crucial" recommendations that you can think of that would be money well spent??
Any and all thoughts, ideas, concerns are very welcomed and appreciated!!!
Thanks in advance,
Dave
I just purchased a 2000 Solara SLE v6 (green/tan leather). It does have (ahem) 327,000 miles ... but overall, it is in pretty good condition ... but have a few questions about making it last as long as possible - 1-2 years would be great! One caveat before reading: I am no mechanic, in fact ZERO mechanical ability ... so please be gentle and dumb it down for me!!
1) There is a banging sound coming from the rear - I assume it has something to do with the suspension. It sounds like there is something loose and hitting metal. I read that it may be the sway bar bushings ... I have also read that the strut mounts may be so worn that there are free-floating parts just banging around.
2) The car has been on full synthetic oil and I want to keep it that way. I have read that Mobil 1 and Royal Purple are good brands. Any thoughts on using either with 327,000 miles?? Should I be looking at only using a "high mileage" synthetic...and what weight?? I believe that the oil cap reads 5w30. Also, any recommendation for oil filter?
3) Seafoam - I personally love the stuff - used it in other cars but only in the fuel. Has anyone used this stuff in the engine oil and "vacuum" line for the intake?? I was thinking of seafoaming before the tune up (below).
4) Tune up ... the previous owner mentioned she was going to have it done. What should I be looking for when having someone do a tune up?
I was going to have the spark plugs replaced when the tune up is done. Reading one thread mention Denso double platinums (P/N PK20TR11) as well as a new wire set (Denso OK??). Is it good idea to do all this at the same time??
I do not mind spending some money in keeping this car running for a while ... I already know that the plugs and wires will be about $100, tune up about $250, oil change $60 ... are there any other "crucial" recommendations that you can think of that would be money well spent??
Any and all thoughts, ideas, concerns are very welcomed and appreciated!!!
Thanks in advance,
Dave
- D A V E
- Just Licensed SolaraGuy
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Sat Sep 11, 2010 1:05 pm