Our 99 SE is quickly approaching 170,000 miles. I typically wouldn't give it much thought, but I'm getting a new job soon and will have a long commute and will REALLY need to rely on it.

What things should I inspect/replace?

Here'* what'* been done (err..I know are fine):
UIM
LIM gaskets
tires
brakes
upper and lower radiator hoses
heater core
fuel pump

The trans is getting weaker. I'll deal with that when the time comes.

With this mileage, should I be concerned about the crankshaft position sensor, cam sensor, water pump, radiator? They're all original. Anything else to look out for?

Might want to consider a shift kit for the tranny. That will take alot of wear and heat off the clutches.

Ya, but at 170K, I'm just budgeting for a full rebuild. I figure she'* lived a long, good, hard life. It'* time to freshen it up.

BTW, my battery is fine too.

Knowing that each of the 7 times you redid the UIM, you cleaned the MAF, IAC etc we don't need to go there.

Look at the endcaps on the radiator. When our rads start to go they show signs of bowing the plastic as they heat and contract, cracks beging to show. The typical radiator failure from leaking is noticing a drip or slight loss in coolant. (A great way to fail if you ask me).

Water pump, sensors etc.. there is no way to tell when if ever one will fail. Replacements could fail before the original. These are items that I wait to have fail and then fix.

Check your hoses and vacuum lines, replace if needed. Otherwise.. with a longer commute (all highway I assume) your trans will probably last longer because it won't be shifting constantly.

How are your battery cables

You said fuel pump, what about the filter

Flush the P/* fuild

With 181K on my car, I rely on good maintence to keep her running shooth

BTW, with your commute, it should be all highway miles which are the easiest on the car.

Mine also just passed 170K (ya, I know that I should probably update the siggy) and it'* my wife'* daily driver, so reliability does matter. My approach to maintenance at this point is to keep it tuned and repair known maintenance items.

While the camshaft position sensor, cam sensor, and water pump are all items that CAN go bad, I don't plan to replace them before failure unless I'm already doing some specific work in that area anyway. In some way, this is like a "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" attitude, but I do believe in preventative maintenance. Others here will surely pipe up if they believe differently.

I would rather suggest that you thoroughly review your suspension, bushings, struts and shocks at this point if they haven't had any attention within the past 75,000-80,000 miles. Long commutes with severe wear on these parts can destroy your gas mileage and tires and lead to potential side-of-the-road breakdowns.

EDIT: Boy, I need to post faster...lol..

Battery cables and fuel filter are things I didn't even consider! Good points.

My suspension is in need of an overhaul. That'* a for sure given. The suspension has never been touched in the time we've owned (bought in '02 with 28K). I'm sure nothing was done before we bought it; never would have had a reason to. Unfortunately, (right, wrong or indifferent) I'm not good about maintaining/replacing suspension components. Honestly, it'll probably stay original until we drive it to the bone yard.

My main objective with this thread was to brainstorm some things that could leave me stranded on the side of the road. Obviously, nobody knows when something will fail, but given our expertise here, I figured someone would know the likelihood of something failing. Sounds like I'm about as good as I can be.

I will definitely check the radiator for seeping and deformed plastic.

Well Mark, you have been regular about your maintenence and that is your best defense.

Regarding the suspension, I wasn't advocating that you go out and replace everything, or anything for that matter. What I was suggesting was to put it up on jacks and take a good thorough look at things. Look for leaks, blown seals, things that seem loose or cracked, overly worn bushings, things like that.

As with most other areas, small suspension repairs done early can help to prevent sending it to the boneyard early.

If you are not comfortable with your suspension expertise level, and face it... how many of us are, take it in for a regularly scheduled alignment and have them do a complete review. It won't hurt and could help.

If you do go and replace the shocks and struts, get an allignment afterwards. I replaced all of mine and it was SCARY driving her on the snow and ice because the allignment was so out of whack!

If I get the struts replaced it'll be by the shop. They quoted me a price of 4 Monroe struts and a 4 wheel alignment for $580.