General Maintenance Suggestions
 

I have an automatic 1997 Accord EX 2.2L with 150,000 miles on it. The car was running terribly so i decided to do a bunch of maintenance to it.

I've replaced the:
Spark plugs
Spark plug cables
Rotor
Fuel filter
Air filter
Belts
O2 sensors
EGR valve
and the entire exhaust system

I also gave it an oil change, replaced the transmission fluid, cleaned EGR passage ways and put on a set of new tires.

What are some other things I can do to make the car run the best that it can?

Timing belts need to be replaced every 100k miles or 7 years. Hopefully it's been done once, otherwise you're already on borrowed time. New waterpump is a good combination together with timing belt.

You changed the distributor rotor but not the cap?? What kind of spark plugs did you use? (Hondas seem to like NGK or Denso)

Fresh antifreeze every couple years because the anti-corrosion package gets "used up".

Fresh brake fluid (bleed brakes) every couple years because it absorbs moisture from the air and becomes corrosive.

Brake pads, suspension alignment are common things but can't really put mileage to that because it depends so strongly on driving habits.

Inspect all the ball-joints and suspension bushings. No need to automatically replace them, but do check them out to see if they're needed.

The cap was replaced also, I just forgot to mention it. And I have an alignment schedualed for this week. Is the timing belt overly difficult to replace, or should I have a mechanic do it? Brake pads are also on the list I just have to find time to do so.

The guy who does your alignment can inspect your balljoints etc. Just so you trust him to be honest & not make extra$$$$ work for himself.

Timing belt can be done by experienced backyard mechanic. It's on the difficult side, so I have no clue about your mechanical experience. What's the biggest car-repair you've ever done?

There's a sticky-thread about common DIY stuff, with a link to on-line manuals. Have a good read through the procedure for the timing belt so you can judge for yourself whether you're up for it.

I do brake pads by watching their thickness over time. There's no magic mileage where they wear out. For all you know they have plenty of material left. If so, then possibly clean up the calipers & grease their slide-pins. Inspect outboard AND INBOARD pads & use your judgement.

The rear breaks are starting to squeak pretty bad which is why I am replacing them. And I am just starting to teach myself mechanics this year so I probably shouldn't be the one doing the timing. I've done all of the stuff I listed above, but that's it.

never said if the car runs any better? does it?

X2 on the timing belt, especially if you don't know the history.

The car does run a lot better, but I know there is always something that can be done to make it better. I'm not sure what "X2" means. I'm new to the forums

just means "i agree as well"