Since you plan to change fluids and belts yourself, here are a few things to consider:
- Taking out one of the seats (quick to do, four bolts) will make it much easier, faster and reduce potential cabin damage when replacing the belts.
- The engine cover in the cabin is sealed with butyl. It is very messy to clean with solvents. I found that rolling up a little ball of the butyl and then using it to dab at the rest, will pull the rest cleanly from the metal surface.
- Replace the messy butyl with:
MD Brand Gray Foam Window Seal 3/16" tall x 3/8" wide Product No: 02253 - Available at Lowes and Home Depot.
- The oil pump belt cover is held with the same style screws used extensively throughout the car. These cover screws are a PIA to remove and install. I had to remove some through the cabin engine cover and some from the bottom. They can be replaced with hex bolts and washers from Fastenal. These replacements are very easy to install and remove all from the bottom. You can easily get a 3/8" torque wrench on all of them, from the bottom. Fastenal Part No:
M6x25mm, Class 10.9, Bolt, Part No: 40653
Washer, Part No: 33075
- The screws used extensively on the car are a round head torx with washer. These cannot be turned by hand. For straight on access like the belly pans, they are easy to install and remove. However, any that are out of position, at an angle, around a corner, etc, are very hard to work with; the torx bit wants to wobble out. I have replaced many of these OEM screws with the following, for much, much easier removal/install. The original purists may groan over this, but, you can bag and mark the removed screws for future use. Also, all the out of position screws are mostly out of site anyway. You may want to have a box of 50 on hand so when you are tired of dealing with the OEM screws you are ready to go. Also, this will give you a few extra OEM screws that cost $6.00 - $10.00 each. If you shop on line for the following, you can get a box of 50 for $9.00. Fastenal Part No:
M6x25mm - 17mm washer, Class 9.8, Part No: 0162790 - This works most of the time
M6x25mm - 24mm washer, Class 9.8, Part No: 0162791 – Some places the OEM washer is not quite big enough and this works better
The only drawback to these is when a plastic part is under the integrated screw washer, it may tend to cut into the plastic. Two options are available 1) use the OEM screw, 2) install a flat washer under the replacement bolt integrated washer.
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