Bought a 2001 Grand Prix GTP Coupe...54K miles

[harrydunn]

It's very easy. On the nosedrive, close to the SC housing you will see an allen head screw that sits flush into the nosedrive. Open that up and it if is getting rancid (smells worse than skunk) it's overdue.

Checked the SC fluid. It stinks but is very clean looking. I dipped the end of a shop towel in the housing and put a drop on my work bench. What do you think? Should I change it?

[sandrock]

It's your call on that one. Only takes a few minutes to suck out all the oil and put new stuff in. If it's clean and semi-clear, I'd leave it until it's time to do a coupler change.

[2000Silverbullet]

The oil is organic. It stinks because it comes from whale blubber.
If it stinks, it has decomposed and needs to be replaced so it's properties are renewed, dirty or not.

[harrydunn]

Coupler replacement? Do tell.

Do you guys just use the stem of a spray bottle to suck out the old? How much does the SC hold?

Thanks.

[sandrock]

Yeah, but mine started stinkin' only after about 500 miles or so. I'd hardly call fluid with that few miles on it done. I guess we need a smell-o-gage or something. A semi-tolerable rotten smell is fine. Inner sanctums of hell smell...not so much.

But for the cost of the fluid, and the short time it takes to change it out (I use a spray bottle nozzle, stick the tube in there, and spray INTO the bottle), it's worth it for the piece of mind.

EDIT - coupler. That's what joins the pulley shaft in the nosegear to the rotor bearings inside the charger. It's made of a hard plastic that over time will elongate the coupling holes, causing a sound similar to knock. It's easy to tell when they go bad, and you have to take the nosedrive off to replace it.

[00Beast]

Coupler replacement? Do tell.

Do you guys just use the stem of a spray bottle to suck out the old? How much does the SC hold?

Thanks.

Intense sells 8 oz bottles. www.intense-racing.com It takes almost one of those. Otherwise you'll need two bottles from a dealer.

[harrydunn]

Intense sells 8 oz bottles. http://www.intense-racing.com It takes almost one of those. Otherwise you'll need two bottles from a dealer.

Thanks. Just fill it up to the bottom of the threads?

[00Beast]

Yes.

[harrydunn]

What's your recommendation for a cooling system flush? It appears the Dex-Cool has been maintained but I'd like to get it out of there. Any cooling-system flush product you like more than another? Thanks.

[00Beast]

I like the Prestone. Use Prestone Mixes with any color coolant in the yellow bottle, as well.

[harrydunn]

Wow, there is a lot of 'stuff' out there that says if you start with Dex-Cool, to flush the system BUT stay with Dex-Cool. Looking for suggestions...

[2000Silverbullet]

Flush as much as you can out. Run fresh water thru the heater hose with the both rad hose disconnected and the engine running until it runs clear so you know there is only water then fill with Prestone long life mixes with all.

[harrydunn]

Checked with my usual auto repair shop and their price is reasonable for a flush so I'm going to let them make a mess on their floor this time. I did however buy some distilled water and Prestone All Makes A/F to make sure they put what I want in it.

Thanks for the assistance...

[harrydunn]

I am now Dex-Cool free. Ahhhhhhhhh...

[harrydunn]

First mod I'd suggest is swapping the wheels from the Bonneville onto the GTP. That'd be HOT!!

Hmmmm...I've been thinking of slapping at least one of my 18" GXP rims on to see what it would look like. Would they fit in the wheel well?

[00Beast]

Yes, there are more GP guys with b-ville GXP rims than Bonneville guys, lol. It's a really common wheel.

[harrydunn]

On the '97-'03's? Photos anyone? I'd love to see how it looks before I put two cars up on jack stands tonight.

[Jim W]

I've seen it plenty of times on ClubGP. You won't regret the GXP rims on yer new car!

[harrydunn]

Very tempting...I'd have to pull my local ad however. It came out yesterday. I think the wheels will be the selling point.