Preventative engine maintenance

[bookland]

New owner of an 89 FJ62 with just under 270k miles on it.

My primary concern is about engine reliability. I have had the compression tested and all is well. Fluids replaced. Voltmeter was all over the place and aftermarket stereo would randomly turn off. Replaced alternator and fixed this. Everything else seems good.

Vehicle was well maintained by original owner. I have a stack of receipts that show oil changed every 3k for most of its life.

I plan to explore remote locations and I don't want to be stranded be a use of engine issues.

What would you suggest that I do for preventive engine maintenance? Any and all suggestions are welcome.

 

[RockDoc]

Adjust the valves once in a while, ensure you use an oil with sufficient ZDDP (or more likely top it up a bit with an additive).

There is a pressed in plug for an oil gallery on the passenger side of the head near the #5 spark plug. Keep an eye on that for any sign of weeping oil, replace with a threaded plug if it's weeping, or as a preventative measure if you have good access to it for another repair. When this plug occasionally goes on a truck, it can dump all the oil fairly quickly.

For transmission longevity, ensure the throttle and tranny "kickdown" cables are just shy of taught, ensure the ATF is in good shape (drain and refill, or do a passive "Rodney" flush if needed, don't have a shop power flush) and be wary of increased tire diameter without regearing the diffs or transfer to match.

 

[RodrigzCrzr]

Good Idea is too add a Tran cooler to your Transmission.

 

[gregnash]

Go through the engine bay and check the health of all hoses to ensure that they are in good shape. If they are questionable then replace.

Also, check the health of the battery, suspension and cooling system. Now that you replaced the alternator make sure the battery is still in good enough shape to keep up. Maybe flush the cooling system and go over the suspension. Probably in need of a knuckle rebuild so would be worth while to get that done as a first major item.

 

[MOCO62]

Test your 4wd engages and holds in gear properly. It really sucks when a cheap switch on the vacuum line dies when you need it most.

 

[bookland]

Oil galley plug fix was done. Hoses checked. Will look in to other suggestions. This is a great start!