My girlfriend's brother has a 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart with the 2.4L engine. It has about 105.6k miles currently. It's in need of some preventative maintenance and also has a steering boot leak.
First, the leak:
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This is the passenger side of the vehicle. It seems to be a slow leak. The current power steering fluid fill is mostly Valvoline MaxLife ATF, and I topped up the fluid from below the MIN line earlier today (previously I had changed one reservoir full back in October with MaxLife). Approximately how much would a fix cost at a shop?
On to fluid options:
I don't know if the timing belt has been done yet (I think the first change was due at 60k miles?), nor if spark plugs were done. I don't think I'd be up for a timing belt job (never done one before), but spark plugs I can handle most likely. How bad are spark plugs on this engine?
The driver seems to drive this vehicle very hard and doesn't really wait for the engine or coolant to warm up before slamming the throttle, and I probably can't convince him to change his ways. I would imagine a lighter oil would be preferable in this case, since it would warm up faster and flow better when cold? The FSM (2006 model year - earliest I could find) states that anything from 5W-20 to 10W-30 are suitable.
Thanks for any input!
First, the leak:
pic 1
pic 2
pic 3
This is the passenger side of the vehicle. It seems to be a slow leak. The current power steering fluid fill is mostly Valvoline MaxLife ATF, and I topped up the fluid from below the MIN line earlier today (previously I had changed one reservoir full back in October with MaxLife). Approximately how much would a fix cost at a shop?
On to fluid options:
- ATF: Diamond SP-III is specified. What is a suitable replacement fluid? Is MaxLife OK? I've read ATF+4 is suitable too, is that true? The FSM states to disconnect the cooler line, drain ATF, then remove the drain plug afterwards. Is this necessary, or can I just do a cooler line exchange by pumping out 2 quarts, stopping the engine, filling, and repeating until I'm out of ATF? The approximate capacity is 8.1 quarts, so I think I can get by with 9 quarts (or 3 gallon jugs if it's cheaper).
- PSF: is MaxLife OK here too? Genuine Mitsubishi PSF is specified.
- Engine coolant: recommendations? FSM says "Long Life Antifreeze Coolant or an equivalent". Would a drain & fill of the radiator alone be sufficient? The current coolant is green in color and it looks okay based on the overflow reservoir's dipstick. I don't know the maintenance history.
I don't know if the timing belt has been done yet (I think the first change was due at 60k miles?), nor if spark plugs were done. I don't think I'd be up for a timing belt job (never done one before), but spark plugs I can handle most likely. How bad are spark plugs on this engine?
The driver seems to drive this vehicle very hard and doesn't really wait for the engine or coolant to warm up before slamming the throttle, and I probably can't convince him to change his ways. I would imagine a lighter oil would be preferable in this case, since it would warm up faster and flow better when cold? The FSM (2006 model year - earliest I could find) states that anything from 5W-20 to 10W-30 are suitable.
Thanks for any input!