Hi,
Have a 2005 Cruiser Touring edition, manual trans, 135,000 miles.
This has been a good car for me. Only maintenance/repair done so far besides oil changes is this:
New headgasket at 30k (repaired under warranty -- oil leak)
Sparkplugs changed at 30k, 60k (at 60k, platinum tip plugs and new wires)
Transmission output seal on manual trans replaced several times under 70k warranty for minor seepage (it still seeps but doesn't drip)
Timing belt/water pump at 100k
Front engine main seal at 110k (popped out, mechanic thought engine was shot due to crank end play, but it's been fine since -- thankful for Allpar advice)
That's it -- even still has original battery, brakes have never needed replacement...
Has averaged 29 MPG in rural highway driving.
So now...
1. Yesterday noticed that A/C stopped working when car is at idle. Works again when we start moving. Cooling fan is not always running when A/C is on. But car is not overheating. When cold, started and turned on AC. Cooling fan came on but seemed weak. Came home and it doesn't turn on at all with A/C on, and then the air starts coming out warm -- as well as repeated cycling from compressor. From searching the forums it's not clear to me if the cooling fan is always supposed to be on when the A/C is on. Can someone advise me on this? Freon problem or bad cooling fan?
2. An increasing whining/whirring sound from front end, from reading the forums, perhaps a front bearing. Not noticeable on rougher pavement surfaces or dirt roads. Should I wait until it gets louder and more obvious? Do these things slowly go out? I ask because I need to make a 1500 mile trip soon.
3. A slight moaning/groaning from the steering rack, but only ocassionally, usually after driving for a while. Fluid is fine and looks clean and steering feel is normal. Anything to worry about?
4. A strange wear pattern on rear passenger side tire -- it is wearing on the far outside edge. However, ride and handling seem unaffected.
5. Some crunchy sounds from front suspension. Everything is still original under there and looks fine, but in cold weather especially it sounds, well, crunchy. Guessing it is the typical bushing problems that I read about.
Any advice? All of these normal wear?
Thanks, Stephen
Have a 2005 Cruiser Touring edition, manual trans, 135,000 miles.
This has been a good car for me. Only maintenance/repair done so far besides oil changes is this:
New headgasket at 30k (repaired under warranty -- oil leak)
Sparkplugs changed at 30k, 60k (at 60k, platinum tip plugs and new wires)
Transmission output seal on manual trans replaced several times under 70k warranty for minor seepage (it still seeps but doesn't drip)
Timing belt/water pump at 100k
Front engine main seal at 110k (popped out, mechanic thought engine was shot due to crank end play, but it's been fine since -- thankful for Allpar advice)
That's it -- even still has original battery, brakes have never needed replacement...
Has averaged 29 MPG in rural highway driving.
So now...
1. Yesterday noticed that A/C stopped working when car is at idle. Works again when we start moving. Cooling fan is not always running when A/C is on. But car is not overheating. When cold, started and turned on AC. Cooling fan came on but seemed weak. Came home and it doesn't turn on at all with A/C on, and then the air starts coming out warm -- as well as repeated cycling from compressor. From searching the forums it's not clear to me if the cooling fan is always supposed to be on when the A/C is on. Can someone advise me on this? Freon problem or bad cooling fan?
2. An increasing whining/whirring sound from front end, from reading the forums, perhaps a front bearing. Not noticeable on rougher pavement surfaces or dirt roads. Should I wait until it gets louder and more obvious? Do these things slowly go out? I ask because I need to make a 1500 mile trip soon.
3. A slight moaning/groaning from the steering rack, but only ocassionally, usually after driving for a while. Fluid is fine and looks clean and steering feel is normal. Anything to worry about?
4. A strange wear pattern on rear passenger side tire -- it is wearing on the far outside edge. However, ride and handling seem unaffected.
5. Some crunchy sounds from front suspension. Everything is still original under there and looks fine, but in cold weather especially it sounds, well, crunchy. Guessing it is the typical bushing problems that I read about.
Any advice? All of these normal wear?
Thanks, Stephen