tune up interval

[hnichols]

Hi everybody,

I'm sure there are tons of posts on this simple, newbie question, but, believe it or not, I searched. ...

Anyway, In the original manual it says that one should do a BMW "Program test" every 8,000 miles: replace plugs, points, valve adjustment, etc. But I blieve it also says somewhere that this should be done twice a year. So if it's been about 2.5 years, but I've only driven about 3,700 miles, should I do this stuff? Car runs fine. Actually I'm looking forward to doing my first tune up while the weather is nice.

TIA!

Hugh

[Guest Anonymous]

I would go by mileage for electronic stuff, time + miles for fluids. Time alone shouldn't age the electronics.

[wegweiser]

I historically rack up between 12k and 20k miles on my 2002s annually. I take lots of road trips and I run 'em hard....but with respect. Here's roughly where I perform various services. For whatever reason, the F Bomb likes frequent valve adjustments to .007" every 5000-8000 miles. Other cars I've had were happy for 10,000 miles at a time or more.

Oil change with std oil (20/50 summer) every 3000 miles +/-

trans fluid change annually (currently running regular ATF in my 4 speed)

differential oil change every 2 years 80/90wt

coolant every 2 years

brake fluid, annually

fuel filter annually (I did thoroughly clean the insides of my tank just last year)

ignition points - adjust every 6,000 miles. replace every 10-14k miles

condenser, cap, rotor - annually

plug wires every 4 years

plugs - inspect every 10k miles, replace annually

check ignition timing annually

fan belt(s) annual inspection

tire pressure, monthly

visual check of mounts and suspension, twice annually (at least)

This isn't a "by the book" timeframe for any of this. Like I said, I run my car hard (4700 rpm for hours at a time) and I don't like lugging around loads of tools and spare parts. With the exception of a failed distributor that led to a head gasket failure this summer, my stuff doesn't break.

I suspect lack of use might cause excessive corrosion on some ignition bits (caps, rotors, points), but I can't prove it. Any chemists / engineers care to weigh an opinion on my theory?

[hnichols]

Thanks, guys, that's helpful. I was really asking about the electric stuff, and valve adj., b/c I already change the fluids regularly. So it looks like I have some time (unless I start putting tons of miles on my car like Paul).

Hugh

[scoTTlarock]

I run my car hard (4700 rpm for hours at a time)

awesome! for those of us with 4-speeds it's nice to know our old girls can take the abuse. i do drive around 4000 where i'm at about 72mph when driving on the freeway. haven't done more than an hour solid of that yet, and i was always wondering if it could take it.