Buick Century

I just bought a 98 Century w/ 136,000 miles.
It belonged to my mother in law for the last 50,0000 miles/3 years and she didn't really do any maintenance. 2 repairs with clogged injectors were done (only cleaning with some chemicals).
the reason I bought it, because I only drive 3 miles to work with it.... I wouldn't use it for any other reason (we have a new Mazda 3 as our real car).
According to the manual I needed to change motor oil (that has been done occasionally), check the fluids (power steering and coolant might need some filling.
What is the exact fluid for the power steering? The manual doesn't say. I will replace the air filter myself, will have the oil changed. Maybe I replace the spark plugs. Are they easy to replace? Do I need a tourque nut for that?
I didn't read anything about replacing the fuel filter. Do I need to replace that, if so, which type (part number, so I can buy it). Do I need to replace the tranny fluid? The manual says every 50,000 miles under severe conditions. But that doesn't apply and I didn't find anything about repalcing it otherwise. Once I drive more than 3 miles I'll check the tranny oil level (manual says driving 15 miles to heat it up before checking)
The front left indicator bulb burns out often, and every year in the past the fuel injector was dirty (the service engine soon light was on). That was a $140 -$ 180 bill. Other than that no problems.
A 2004 shop bill indicated, that the water pump seeps/($250) and the belt needs to be replaced ($75), which hasn't been done. Not sure if they only tried to make money, since my mother in law drove it 30 k miles more w/o any problems regarding to that. To me the belt looks fine. The manual doens't say anything about replacing that.
Anyway, are there any things I should do? Don't want to pay too much because I only drive so little, on the other hand I don't want to be towed....
I'm planning on keeping that car for 1-2 years, unless my work place changes and I need to drive more. I do realize, that this is an old car.... but for my purpose it'd be OK, I guess.
If the injector gets dirty/clogged, are those cans you buy to pour into the tank any good? That's why I want to change the fuel filter/air filter/spark plugs to avoid that problem. Maybe I put that cleaner in the tank just in case. Right now it drives fine (whatever that means, it is slow, wiggly, a whole different world from Mazda, that's why old people like buick .. but it has been that since I knew it 3 years ago). I replaced some bulbs today.. once the tires wear out/something other needs to be done I'll trade it in.... but I'm willing to invest something to keep it moving.
Thanks for your input

Replies to this message:
• herrkaleu (Jul 17, 2006 2:35 pm)
  • buicklover (Jul 18, 2006 1:57 pm)
    • herrkaleu (Jul 20, 2006 1:48 pm) and 1 more...
• buicklover (Jul 17, 2006 2:36 pm)

Replying to: herrkaleu (Jul 16, 2006 3:07 pm)

Replies to this message:
• buicklover (Jul 18, 2006 1:57 pm)
  • herrkaleu (Jul 20, 2006 1:48 pm)
    • herrkaleu (Aug 03, 2006 3:01 pm)

Replying to: herrkaleu (Jul 16, 2006 3:07 pm)

Replying to: herrkaleu (Jul 17, 2006 2:35 pm)

Replies to this message:
• herrkaleu (Jul 20, 2006 1:48 pm)
  • herrkaleu (Aug 03, 2006 3:01 pm)

Replying to: buicklover (Jul 18, 2006 1:57 pm)

I got the maintenance/repair book. It looks like the belt should be easy. Or is there a catch, that I need super human power? But the belt looks good to me, I checked. No cracks etc. Maybe I buy one and keep it in the trunk just in case.
The fuel filter and spark plugs I will have done by a shop, sounds messy to me. How much would that cost me? Since the tranny oil looks good, and I only drive so little I stay away from that, I will replace the air filter myself. Don't care so much about the cabin air filter, it's only me driving 3 miles to work. I need to fill in some Dex-Cool. The coolant tank is so low, that I could not even take a sample with the freezing point tester. I won't flush/replace it, .... I guess it will be fine and over 3 miles the engine won't over heat either way. That car only is capable of driving grandpa-style anyway
About the oil change minder, how can it not come on after 7500 miles? I suppose if the people who changed the oil last did not do anything because it was before the light came on, then it should come on even sooner.
I havn't even driven the car the last days, will drive it daily to work at the end of August after we move. Then I will see more what quirks it has. But i want to deal with the main neglectance (filters, plugs) before that.
The front left indicator light is fixed. Actually the plastic socket where the bulb goes in is kind of melt, so the contacts didn't realy touch the bulb contacts. Now it works after some wiggling and squeezing.
I tested the battery (it is a repalcement battery from a brand I forgot) with one of those acid density things and the cells are charged evenly, all full. However, I think the liquid barely covers the lead. I think I put in some desitilled water in each (it is not one of those maintenance free batteries, the caps came off easily).
I know more should be done, but then I spend more money than the car is worth. and the only reason i don't buy a new car is, that I barely drive with it. If I drove more I would spend more money. But that would never end. The steering is wabbely, ... and the year long neglectance. I suppose my mother in law who owned the car for 50,000 miles didn't do anything, and the owner before who had it till 88,000 miles did not too much before selling it. I seriously believe fuel filter, air filter, spark plugs are still original.
Since tranny fluid looks normal, that and engine oil are the only things ever replaced. It is surprising how much a car can take.....

Replies to this message:
• herrkaleu (Aug 03, 2006 3:01 pm)

Replies to this message:
• hoodlatch (Jul 26, 2006 7:53 pm)

Replying to: davisgra (Jul 20, 2006 7:27 pm)

Replying to: herrkaleu (Jul 20, 2006 1:48 pm)

I now replaced the motor air filter. The front driver blinker melts the lamp socket, so it loses contact. With little wiggling it works again. I just stopped at a buick dealer to buy a new socket for the lamp, but that department was already closed.
they quoted fuel filter change would be $45, and replacing spark plugs would be $155 including some intake manifold cleaning and platinum spark plugs. (considering how retarded the design is, I might them have do it)
I have to say, my Mazda 3 with a smaller hood makes maintenance easier than the buick with lots of room. Everything is designed to make maintenance as labor intensive as possible
for now I will leave the accessory belt the way it is, it looks good to me. I'm not sure if I should have the coolant flushed. I read the anti-corrosive wears out and it will make the frost plugs and other things corrode.
Is there a way to see the frost plugs in the engine, if they are rusty?
I know more should be done, but with driving only 3 miles to work I don't want to overdo it....

Replies to this message:
• yurakm (Aug 28, 2006 9:44 pm)

Replying to: j9needshelp (Aug 28, 2006 10:01 am)