100k whats wanted!
Hi
You have kept on top of the most important items, but if you planning to keep the car for a while you have found yourself in the same position as me. Here's what I have done and prices are for Ebay or small car part shop purchases not Halfrauds
Change the anti-freeze, we apppear to heading for another severe winter so give it a rich mix. It does degrade over time and can lead to head gasket problems so well worth doing £7 approx and will take 10 minutes
Change the brake fluid. Its hyroscopic it also absorbs moisture which can lead to poor brakes under stress. It also prevents corrosion of pistons which are allways a pain to sort out. If you have ever seen the muck in old brake fluid its shocking when you realise that your life depends on it. Spray the bleed nipples with Plus Gas so they dont shear, its far far better than WD40 which is at best reasonable at all its supposed uses£7 approx and will take 40mins.
Rotor arm and distributor cap. Look for any appreciable wear and replace. If its just corrosion on the cap, gently scrape off and use again. Micra's have a great ignition system so it is not critical. £20 if repalcing both and will take 20 mins.
I have ground my plugs with a Dremmel to give a "side spark", the clearence is sort of 50% more than standard and gives better pick-up. After 9k miles (30K in total) I do at times get a slight misfire on start-up on damp days so the ignition system must be at it's limit given the same at least on the now old RA and cap.
Check the ancillary drive belts. Keep them tight, but not too tight and replace if they are starting to crack or the ribs are breaking up. £12 to replace and about 90 mins if replacing: You jack the car up, remove the offside front wheel and arch liner to get to them. Not difficult, but a bit of a dirty job.
Petrol filter. These are service items at 36K I think, but could easily last for the life of the car. Easily accessible behind the air box hose and cost £7 or £11 if filling it with injector cleaner which seems to make mine a little perkier
Pollen filter. If you have one under the glove box, take it out and wash it not replace. Your heater will be far more efficient. £0!!!!! 30 mins first time, 10 thereafter
Put some silicone grease into your headlight sockets and bend slightly so they are tight. These do corrode so well worth doing £3. I will take 10 minutes
Gearbox oil worth changing as they are stressed and do give up the ghost £15 for oil and £5 for the molyslip which made mine quieter. It will take you an hour or so as its awkward but not difficult.
Fit an N15 1.4-1.6 Almera air box and filter. Its bigger so needs less attention if not more power initially. It will give more power over time as it gets dirty and pay for itself with the petrol saved. £20 all in and takes accros 60 mins
When next changing the engine oil, get some synthetic 5W40 for a little more MPG, power and less wear if we get sever winters. Dont use 20W50, It gets too thick to give good protection during very cold start ups.
For the body drill a small hole towards the rear of the sills beneath the carpet and spray some Waxoil into them. All seem to go there eventually so it will help if not prevent rust £6 approx for a small can. Its free if you use old sump oil and can be used to spray into chassis legs which will also give problems at times.
Polish it now and again, treat and touch up any rust then drive on at minimal cost whilst watching others waste a fortune on cars that are scrap in so little time!
