Preventive Maintenance Recommendations

[BigLib]

I have just gone through a nightmare stalling issue with my 1993 850 that turned out to be a vacuum leak I didn't notice. Since I am in love with this car and will drive it for as long as I can I have decided I am just going to start replacing things once or twice a month even if they don't need it so over time 30 year old parts will be gone and new stuff will be there. What do you guys recommend replacing and doing. Nothing to small or too ridiculous. I just want to avoid future problems by cutting them off at the pass.

[Sveedy]

As you have already found out, vacuum hoses are a good start.
Putting aside the obvious (timing belt etc), I would think engine mounts would be next on my list.

[volvolugnut]

Alternator brushes, Thermostat, coil, rotor and cap, brake pads and hoses, brake flush, bulbs if you don't want to worry about them failing while driving.
volvolugnut

[abscate]

Stage one…all the fluids…and brake fluid, 250 ml from each wheel caliper

[454cid]

...I am just going to start replacing things once or twice a month even if they don't need it so over time 30 year old parts will be gone and new stuff will be there...

Pick and choose carefully. Replacement part quality has been going down, and you don't want to replace an old but working good quality part with a poor quality part, just for the sake of new.

[volvolugnut]

You might want to start an inventory of OEM parts or good used parts for future replacement. This would be your hedge against parts not being available in the future.
Other items not mentioned yet:
All filters (air, fuel, oil, cabin air).
Any belts, any rubber parts including hoses and bushings.
volvolugnut

[jreed]

The fuel pump relay, the camshaft and crankshaft position sensors, the idle air control valve and the positive cable from battery to starter come to mind immediately...

[erikv11]

ECT sensor usually goes out eventually, add that to jreed's excellent list. Throttle position sensor too. These sensor parts must be high quality, otherwise I'd probably wait until they fail. Fuel pump relay can be generic.

idle air control valve I've never had to replace one but several times ive cleaned out dirty ones.

It's been said but for emphasis: replace ALL rubber vacuum lines.

[scot850]

Question on this. I was looking at replacing the voltage regulator on a -98 100A Bosch alternator. The unit almost looks new, but the brushes were really worn down. A local alternator repair shop that fixed another alternator for me (P1 Denso), told me the quality of rebuilds including Bosch, are now really poor, mainly as the parts used are cheap and nasty. That would tend to be born out on this alternator. Can't believe the brushes had worn to less than half. I tried to find a replacement regulator and brush set but the only one I could find from Bosch was in Eastern Europe for 500 Euros???! Where do you guys go for voltage regulators for these older alternators? I'd like to replace the regulator so I have a good alternator available in the stash!

Neil.

[Grantkat]

Neil,

I am guessing you have already done this, but incase you havent: Look for local shops that rebuild not just Gen/Alts but motors. I had a super expensive alternator some years back. the replacement was ridiculously high and the quality wasnt nearly what it used to be. I stumbled upon a local shop that rebuilds motors. They were able to supply me with super high quality brushes and a voltage regulator and the price was very reasonable. The key was these guys knew their stuff, looked at my Alternator and were able to match up parts. the brushes needed different connectors but that was pretty much it. They did have to order the regulator but they had sources I would never see.