Here's a shot in the dark.
Can anyone suggest where in/near Winnipeg Manitoba Canada that I should go to have my 2k SSEi LIM Gasket replaced ...I mean, right the first time and for a reasonable price?

I know which parts to order but I would rather stay away from the stealerships...

M

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Mark
The Familyman's Trans-Am
Intense 3.4 MPS, Intense FWI, Intense PCM, copper NGKs TR55's, MSD wires, MSD coils, BWD ICM, MagnaFlow High Flow Cat, drilled 180 'stat, solid front mount, Monroe Max Air rear shocks, Moog rear mounts, Moog suspension bushings, cleared front corners, 190,000 miles

No chance of doing it yourself? Its really not hard, even for a beginner. We can work you through the entire thing.

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Andrew - owner/operator of Bonnevilles Unlimited

2004 Bonneville GXP | 60k | White Gold Tricoat | custom built supercharged 3800 hot rod | garage queen
1997 Corvette | 55k | Silver Metallic | Z06 wheels | Date-night Hauler/Parts runner
2014 Town & Country Limited | Cashmere Pearl | 95k | Family Hauler
2002 Ram 1500 Quad Cab Sport | Black| 260k | Official Bonneville Hauler

Before changing my LIM gaskets, the only work i had done on my car was oil and tranny fluid changes, spark plugs, the usual stuff, and it was easy as pie with the walk-through. If you aren't sure about something, ask. It's pretty straightforward once you get into it

I've done it, basically myself, w/ Andrew's help on the install, and it was no big deal. If you can change oil and do a tune up, you can do this. I rate it at 5 out of 10, with 1 being adding washer fluid, and 10 being rebuilding the tranny.

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Bye Bye:

RIP sandrock

Hey thanks for the encouragements. It's also a case of "our busy family can't afford the opperation to go wrong because it's our one and only car" thing. But I am encouraged by your offers of support. I mean, it's not like I haven't done work a little bit like this before, I did install a new high intake manifold and Holly etc on the 350 big block 73 Ventura that summer of 1980. Hmmm...I'll have to think about it.

Sure would put a smile of pride on my face to knock this one off, not to mention saving myself the pocket book pain from shop labor.

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Mark
The Familyman's Trans-Am
Intense 3.4 MPS, Intense FWI, Intense PCM, copper NGKs TR55's, MSD wires, MSD coils, BWD ICM, MagnaFlow High Flow Cat, drilled 180 'stat, solid front mount, Monroe Max Air rear shocks, Moog rear mounts, Moog suspension bushings, cleared front corners, 190,000 miles

This is a real simple operation...I did it in my driveway in 10 degree weather...

Just keep everything seperate as you take it off and lable it...

I had to "tent" my hood and put in a space heater to let the RTV set up on the end rails
but once it was back together started right up on second turn of the key with NO "check engine light". Try to gather all parts and do it over a weekend...more than enough time to complete and drink a few...

golfyeti, where abouts you located? do you have a heated garage? if not i can get one of my grand am guys who has done a lot of engine work on his car and we could help you with yours in my garage. I'm located near starbuck, mb. Alls we need is a list of the tools, the walk through on how to do it, the parts, and your car.

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FWI, converted low beam bulbs into high beam bulbs, 20% tint all around, MSD wires, NDK TR55 plugs, auxiliary line in, scan gauge, custom FloPro/MagnaFlow Cat back exhaust
2002 Bonneville SE

Thanks for the generous offer and who knows I might take you up on it. I'm in St. Vital. I'm certainly very tentative about doing this work solo. A garage I don't have so my plan has been to just keep an eye on the oil and antifreeze condition waiting for spring to fix it.

I'll be checking for a good parts list here and hopefully odering parts next week. I'll be back for help for sure.

I'm wondering what's the least vs most amount of hours this work might take if I'm replacing valve cover gaskets, orings and elbow's etc while I'm at it?

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Mark
The Familyman's Trans-Am
Intense 3.4 MPS, Intense FWI, Intense PCM, copper NGKs TR55's, MSD wires, MSD coils, BWD ICM, MagnaFlow High Flow Cat, drilled 180 'stat, solid front mount, Monroe Max Air rear shocks, Moog rear mounts, Moog suspension bushings, cleared front corners, 190,000 miles

Um, I'd say a good Saturday to get it done. Appx 8 hours, minimum, maybe more.

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Bye Bye:

RIP sandrock

It took me four days at about 8 hours per day to do the job completely by myself. This is the MAX amount of time it should take. Keep in mind I prepped and painted my valve covers too. I also spent alot of time, during those four days, looking for parts and buying tools. I spent alot of time cleaning parts with a toothbrush, too. If you have everything available ahead of time, and someone to help, I would say two days work. Before this, I had never done anything more difficult that a cv axle. It is simple work, but is a bit daunting, and can be tedious.

My biggest suggestion is getting a long pair of needle-nose pliers with the tip bent 90*. I tried several different plug boot removal tools and none would fit behind the engine. I fought with those boots for 6 hours before I bought the pliers. Ten minutes later the boots were off.

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2001 Pontiac Bonneville SE 3.8n/a 110k, PLIM, APN UIM, 180 T-stat, Clarion DXZ385USB, Memphis 6.5s/6x9s/12" PR sub, Kicker ZX700.5 Amp.
1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 4.7 V8 120k, WAAG Brush Guard, 2in Lift, SkyJacker Shocks, HD front driveshaft, Infinity Tweeters, 12" Memphis sub, Rockford Fosgate Punch amp
1994 Pontiac Grand Prix 3100 180k SOLD :(

Or, get a plug boot removal tool, or I used a brake adjuster "spoon".

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Bye Bye:

RIP sandrock

^^ As I said, I tried several types of boot removal tools. None could get a good enough grip. Glad you got yours to work but that was not my experience. I had to retun tools to every parts store in town LOL. I was just suggeting a tool that I know works.

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2001 Pontiac Bonneville SE 3.8n/a 110k, PLIM, APN UIM, 180 T-stat, Clarion DXZ385USB, Memphis 6.5s/6x9s/12" PR sub, Kicker ZX700.5 Amp.
1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 4.7 V8 120k, WAAG Brush Guard, 2in Lift, SkyJacker Shocks, HD front driveshaft, Infinity Tweeters, 12" Memphis sub, Rockford Fosgate Punch amp
1994 Pontiac Grand Prix 3100 180k SOLD :(

When I did mine I just unpluged at the coils.

It took me a 2 day weekend. probably 10-15 hours total

Same here, but that's because I had done a full tune up a month before. He'll probably need a tune up anyways.

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Bye Bye:

RIP sandrock

I forgot about that. I removed at the coils also, if youre changing the plugs and wires, add 2 hours to my time

anyone know where I can find the best step-by-step write-up?

I replaced the plugs and wires about a year ago so I'm going to assume they don't need changing.

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Mark
The Familyman's Trans-Am
Intense 3.4 MPS, Intense FWI, Intense PCM, copper NGKs TR55's, MSD wires, MSD coils, BWD ICM, MagnaFlow High Flow Cat, drilled 180 'stat, solid front mount, Monroe Max Air rear shocks, Moog rear mounts, Moog suspension bushings, cleared front corners, 190,000 miles

Very good write up from techinfo:
viewtopic.php?f=53&t=3591

its the same one i used and i know many others have as well.

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-Matt

Before you assume that, pull the front 3 and check them out. If the front 3 look bad, then change all 6 and start fresh.

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Bye Bye:

RIP sandrock

Hmm -I'm thinking about heading to Grand Forks, ND in a couple weeks. I have always wanted to continue on into Winnipeg. I may check with my buddy in Grand Forks and see if he wants to ride along in the jump seat. If not, I maybe could switch days with someone at work and leave on Thursday night and arrive Friday morning in Winnipeg and make a 4 hr deal of it as long as you supply the beer.

Don't count on me yet, but I hoping I can make the trip by the end of this month.

I'll keep you updated.

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DHP Powrtuner & Tech 2
1998 GTP Coupe
1999 SSEi 70k miles
2000 Silverado 2500 Ext Cab 4x4/6.0L/4L80E
2000 Trans Am WS6 LQ3 (LQ4 w/LS3 top end) 4L60E
2001 SLE
2002 Monte Carlo SS Top-swapped FSIC Gen V TOG's, Mezeire.....
2002 GTP 40th Anniv Ed Coupe
2004 GTP Comp G 'Bottom-swapped'