[DML] Re: Maintenance Interval

["Tell you if you ask." <racuti1@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

My average mileage is 8,500-10,000 miles annually.

I replaced the brake master cyl, clutch master & slave cyls and 
clutch line right around 2 years ago so I'm due to flush the fluids 
now. The fluid levels are unchanged since then and there are no leaks 
so I'm not sure how air could have invaded the system but I guess 
I'll find out soon. Although fluids are nearly incompressible, I 
thought that a sponge effect could happen due to having 2 different 
sized molecules mixed together (oil & water). I may be wrong. 3 years 
ago I replaced the brake calipers with cross-referenced parts and am 
dissatisfied with their performance so I'll be replacing these as 
well. The pads are finally worn down as well.

I change the oil every 3,000 miles. Since the engine only had 20,000 
miles when I bought the car, I've decided to use synthetic oil. It's 
expensive but I feel it's worth it since the engine was low-mileage. 

I am at or near 20,000 miles since I replaced the ignition components.
The Lambda indicator is due to trip soon as well.

In 4 years of ownership, I spent 10 non-driving months performing 
many repairs to make the car road-worthy and 1 driving year replacing 
other 24 year-old parts as they failed (things I failed to consider 
during the initial overhaul) and have had 2 years of near-perfect 
reliability. I can't really complain.

Rich A.
#5335
>quote"
You can no longer go by the service intervals that were recomended for
a car that was to have been used for approx 10,000 miles a year. You
now have to use time instead. Since most Deloreans now are used less
than 2,000 mile a year I would suggest that you do a yearly service.
It should consist of an oil and filter change, coolant test,
under-chassis inspection, front end grease job, chassis lubrication,
and full detailing inside and out. Every other year replace the
coolant, brake, and clutch fluid. Every 5 years replace the wiper
blades and the battery. Pressure test the cooling system. Every 20,000
miles (10 years) a full tune-up and replace the tires. To some this
might seem like overkill but if you want the car to be reliable and
safe and last a long time this is not so bad. The brakes do not become
spongy from moisture. The water is a non-compressable liquid but it
eats up the iron parts inside the system. Because the brakes are not
used regularly and the brake fluid heated up to drive off accumulated
moisture it is even more important to change the brake fluid often. If
you pedal is spongy you have air in the system and it must be bled. If
it keeps happening you will have to rebuild or replace the clutch
master and slave cylinders.
David Teitelbaum
vin 10757<unquote"




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