Maintenance Questions...

georgethedog

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I am sure there is a thread out there that is similar, but every car and situation is different so I thought I needed a quick thread.

I bought my 2001 RT/10 last fall. It has 11,000 miles. I have no records of anything except it had a clean Carfax and Autocheck, and lived in Georgia before. You Georgia guys see your State button on this site as I posted a thread looking for former owners. I have where it was purchased from and when, etc. Please let me know if you know anything.

Anyway, the local Dodge dealer has no records on the Chrysler database of any work ever done on the car.

I am looking for some guidance as to what to do to the car when I bring it out this spring. First, I will change the oil. That's a given. Probably 5W-40 Mobil One Diesel. After that...

I live only 30 miles from Roanoke Dodge, so I have a good Viper tech in my backyard.

Any thoughts on what I should have done would be appreciated. Thanks. :)
 

plumcrazy

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When in doubt replace anything thy can be. Belts,all fluids,tires,wires and plugs etc....

Thus way you start out clean and know what you have.
 
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georgethedog

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Almost sounds like I could buy another car for what all that will cost at a dealerhsip. :omg:

I know the Viper tech a little at Roanoke and he seems like an honest decent guy. Well, I know I won't be getting a new exhaust this year unless one of you nice VCA guys with more money than you know what to do with wants to help me out... :D (I think I will just be changing the Cats for side sill coolness). All this maintenance will eat up my money in a hurry, but that's the price you pay owning a Viper. :smirk:

The list from San Antonio seemed pretty complete, but I was surprised I did not see "change all the belts" on it. Did I miss that? I can't see it now as I am writing... Should all the belts be changed or do they last a long time?
 
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plumcrazy

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You definitely don't need a viper tech to do these basic things. Do your homework like you are and find a good local mechanic to do it. Its just a car.

And if you're doing belts ya might wanna replace the PS pulley if not done already.
 

dave6666

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Plum is correct. You just need a few tools and a means to get the car up high enough to work on it. I use Race Ramps which gets me 10" up. I've done all fluids and the clutch from that position.

What I've saved on professional labor costs has bought every tool, ramp and floor jack that I needed to work on this car. Worth giving the thought if you are so inclined.

Full bumper to bumper fluid and belt change is about $300 parts dealer pricing. What are they quoting you for the "installed" version of that?

My clutch was $200 ebay DIY. Dealer would add 3-1/2 hours labor and probably tell me I have leaky shocks while under the car (LOL).

If you do want to tackle this yourself there are some resources in the Illustraded Upgrades on ramps and fluid equipment.
 

Vipuronr

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Agree with all, because of the "you never know" factor.

When I bought mine, I immediately gave it to Chuck :headbang:and he changed all fluids including brake fluid. Everything begins to break down at some point, so to eliminate questions, why not start fresh with all new fluids.

Good luck.
 

Kmrumedy

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It doesn't have to cost a fortune. I was in the same situation. I had a very honest viper tech go through the car and inspect it with a fine tooth comb and tell me what needed to be done. Cost me $75 for the tech and changed what needed to be addressed. Most of the stuff you can do yourself and if anything major is wrong you'll know if not, you'll have peace of mind.
 

paul fettig

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last week I bought a 2001 RT10 and would like to know if there are any issues specific to the 2001? is the issue with the pulleys an issue with the 2001?
 

CitySnake

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last week I bought a 2001 RT10 and would like to know if there are any issues specific to the 2001? is the issue with the pulleys an issue with the 2001?

Paul,
Congrats and welcome to the club!
Think you should start your own thread if you want the advice your looking for.
 

Camfab

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I'd change

Oil and filter (use new style OEM filter)
Transmission fluid (factory fill is Castrol Syntorque)
Differential fluid (factory fill, you'd be surprised how nasty the fluid can be after 10,000 miles)
Coolant (use factory green coolant)
brake fluid (use correct DOT fill it's cheap)

Clutch fluid is a good idea, but would be last on my list unless you have issues. You can buy the Mobil One at walmart for about $50 (two five quart jugs of 10/30 wt). If your really strapped for cash and want to use the old style oil filter you can, it's part #M0-090 and costs about $5 at Walmart. The new style filter which is available at the dealer costs about $15-20 depending on your dealer is part # 05037836AA. The trans fluid is expensive 75W-85 part# 04874459 about $20/qt you need about 5 bottles (at least that's what I bought the last time). The rear axle fluid is part #04874469 and costs about $20/qt. I can't remember how many quarts it took. You also need the friction modifier for the axle which costs about $10. The mopar antifreeze is the 3yr formula (embittered) at about $15 a gallon you'll need at least 2 gallons. Brake fluids cheap and available at your local parts store, just get the right DOT rating (it's in your owners manual). Lastly get a shop manual (Factory) for your car and start reading.

Learn to work on your car, though parts are pricey, it's truly one of the easiest cars to work on. Please verify all part #'s with someone like the Wizard, but learning to work on your car can be a rewarding adventure.
 
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Camfab

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On a stock viper with your miles the belt should not need replacement, and the power steering pulley should be just fine. As far as I can tell, the only cars with the power steering pulley issue are those that are using forced induction. Your spark plugs should be just fine as well, by the way they are only about $1.50 a piece. About the only thing I can think of that went bad in '01 was a problem with the impeller on some of the water pumps. If the cars not overheating your fine. I realize that most parts on these cars are crazy expensive, but simple maintenance on these is really cheap if you do it yourself. $300 in fluids and goodies and the car will be tip top. Don't forget to grease the ball joints as well, just don't get crazy with overfilling them. Do it yourself and you'll have money left over to get that exhaust you want. That'll be your next project. I can honestly say that the Viper is probably the easiest modern day car you could possibly work on.
 
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georgethedog

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Thanks Camfab and everyone. Thanks for giving me the encouragement to do it myself. I have the shop manuals and I used to be a pretty good "backyard" mechanic back in the 70's, but working on new cars has always scared me since I have not kept up on changes. But I will give these things a try. Just gotta find a place that will take the old fluids and I should be set.

I built the ramps that are in the "illustrated upgrades" forum and I have the tools (strung out all over the place :crazy2:). I am just used to working on things like 70 Chargers, etc. I guess it's all just "****, squeeze, pop, fooey" (intake, compression, spark, exhaust) no matter what car it is, so I will take my time and knock out what needs to be done.

After I finish, I probably will take it to Roanoke and have their Viper tech inspect it in my prescense so he can show me if he sees any problem areas. The car appears in tip top shape, so I hope...

Now it just has to WARM UP to a reasonable level. Even though I have a nice heater in the garage, it really takes a lot to make it comfortable when its under freezing outside. I am truly getting sick of midwestern winters. Thanks again everyone.

On a stock viper with your miles the belt should not need replacement, and the power steering pulley should be just fine. As far as I can tell, the only cars with the power steering pulley issue are those that are using forced induction. Your spark plugs should be just fine as well, by the way they are only about $1.50 a piece. About the only thing I can think of that went bad in '01 was a problem with the impeller on some of the water pumps. If the cars not overheating your fine. I realize that most parts on these cars are crazy expensive, but simple maintenance on these is really cheap if you do it yourself. $300 in fluids and goodies and the car will be tip top. Don't forget to grease the ball joints as well, just don't get crazy with overfilling them. Do it yourself and you'll have money left over to get that exhaust you want. That'll be your next project. I can honestly say that the Viper is probably the easiest modern day car you could possibly work on.
 

Camfab

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It sounds like you'll be fine, really the most important thing with this kind of maintenance is feel and care. Nothing different about the Viper with regards to oil and tranny etc. changes than an old Charger. Personally I think it gives you an understanding and confidence about the condition of your car when you get under it and become familiar with it. Trust me you'll really enjoy working on your car.
 

dave6666

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I have a 75000 btu kerosine heater in my garage that goes from 20* to 80* in about 10 minutes. Only complaint is the damn thing sounds like a fighter jet when running.

Comfort is king. Working on your car should be a relaxing experience... :sun: :nono: :rain: :nono:

Good luck on the maintenance. Just take your time and stop if you run into trouble.
 

hemihead

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"I am just used to working on things like 70 Chargers, etc. I guess it's all just "****, squeeze, pop, fooey" (intake, compression, spark, exhaust) no matter what car it is, so I will take my time and knock out what needs to be done. "

I came out of the same thing, a '69 Road Runner, at this point I think I like working on the Viper better, stuff comes off or apart easier, stuff is newer and cleaner. You more or less find yourself doing upgrades and maintenance instead of trying to locate some misterious shorted out wire. Once you get into it you'll see it a pretty simple straight forward car, and that's the beauty of them.
 
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