2000 ssei lots of miles what to check

[pittydaddy]

I guess the heading is a little missleading. I mean to ask what are some more of the common problems with a high mile 3800 sc. I know the intake gasket problems and tranny problems with this car. What are some other common issues I need to address aside from the basics tune up wires collant flush trans filter and ride hight system

[MrPOPE]

i would replace all the sensors Crank position sensor cam shaft sensor Ign coils ...wires... the ICM...fuel filter... TPS... i would leave the MAF alone unless its acting up... hard to buy a new Mass Air Flow sensor that works.

[crash93ssei]

I disagree with replacing sensors just because of age. The original could last for 30 more years and the replacement could go bad in three days (exaggerating some but you get the point) if the engine runs good just leave it and change the fluids. 262,000 on my SSEi and all sensors are original as far as I know or at least haven't been replaced since I bought it in 2007 with 125,000 on it.

A fuel filter would be a good idea as well as checking / replacing the PCV valve, many will say new plugs and wires but I also disagree there - if there is no misfiring and good fuel economy then I can all but guarantee you that new plugs and wires will only lighten your wallet and provide no other benefit.

[pittydaddy]

New issue arose last night. Im loosing tranny fluid not sure where. No drips. The pan is wet but its and old type of wet. No new or atleast not lots of new fluid. Took 2 and a half quarts to get the level right

[redzmonte]

trans pan, axle seal or cooler lines will be there only place a trans should leak. Clean it all off really well and keep an eye on it.. I would suggest doing a trans service anyway... Filter and Fluid with a new pan gasket (OE Style, metal covered in rubber not cork... GM or Felpro)

As for service, I would do all the normal things.. Plugs, Wires, Fluids, Filters, PCV... Maybe even go as far as New primary O2 sensor.. replace any old and brittle or cracked rubber lines... VAC leaks will lower power and efficiency (bad MPG or power)... check brake lines for cracks or bubbles... and replace if bad and flush brake system and replace fluid. inspect caliper slide pins and brake linings.

Defiantly check the front trans mount.. probably trashed (they suck)
S

[MrPOPE]

I disagree with replacing sensors just because of age. The original could last for 30 more years and the replacement could go bad in three days (exaggerating some but you get the point) .

I like to be premptive with the sensors. and go OEM.... i am the King of the BAD MAF sensor. But you are right.. if it aint broke.. leave it alone

[MrPOPE]

i would also try to get it on the lift and check the wheel bearing... tie rod ends and shocks... make sure all that is good. and the tranny mount is almost for sure gone.

[Dean]

Here is the list that gets pasted here a lot:

• 1987-2005 Bonneville / Buick 3800 Maintenance List
  
  Grease: Ball Joints, Tie Rods Every 8-10k ( Green Grease or Amsoil Grease recommended)
  Air Filter Every 15k (Amsoil EaA, Purolator PureONE)
  PCV Valve Every 30k
  MAF Sensor Element Cleaning/TB Cleaning Every 50k viewtopic.php?f=48&t=1661
  Fuel Filter Every 15-25k (Purolator, AC Delco, WIX) http://www.pontiacbonnevilleclub.com/fo ... 45&t=23215
  Spark Plugs Every 30-50k (NGK TR55, AC Delco 41-101 or Autolite 605) (Never Bosch)
  Ignition Wires Every 30-50k (Napa Belden, AC Delco, Autolite Pro, NGK) (Never Taylor or Bosch)
  Oil & Filter Every 5-6k or Every 6 months (Valvoline SYNPower, Pennzoil Platinum, or Amsoil )(Mobil1, Purolator PureONE, Amsoil EaO, K&N or WIX) (Never Fram) viewtopic.php?f=45&t=214
  *Conventional Oil Every 3k/3 months(API SM/SN rating) (WIX (Napa), Delco or Purolator filter)
  Tires: Check Inflation Pressure & Visually Inspect Monthly Rotate Every 6-8,000 Miles
  Transmission Flush or Pan Drop Every 15-20k (Always make sure filter is changed when flushed) viewtopic.php?f=45&t=10193
  Cooling System Flush Every 25-50k or 3-5 Years (Peak or Prestone Mixes-With-Any Coolant Only) (Never Dexcool)
  Oxygen Sensor Every 80-100k (30k for non-heated) (AC Delco or Denso) (Absolutely never Bosch) viewtopic.php?f=48&t=794
  Accessory Belt Inspect every 15k, replace every 100k, or as needed
  Cabin Air Filter Inspect and Replace every 15k, or as needed in dusty conditions. (Note: 00+ Only) viewtopic.php?f=45&t=13626
  Evap Core Cleaning Whenever Needed (Note: 99 and older only) viewtopic.php?f=45&t=2432
  Brake Fluid Flush 3yr/50k
  Power Steering Fluid Replacement/Flush Every 100k or 5 years
  
  *Special Considerations*
  All Series II/III 3800's RPO's: L36, L26, L67 & L32, especially important on vehicles factory installed with orange Havoline Dexcool Antifreeze/Coolant: http://www.dex-cool.net/
  Lower Intake Manifold Gasket Replacement, every 80-100k (ignorance of this can allow coolant to enter your engine oil, this happening can cause irreversible lower engine damage, requiring replacement of subject engine)
  
  Series II, Naturally Aspirated, RPO:L36:
  Upper Intake Manifold Plenum Replacement, Every 80-100k (ignorance of this can allow coolant to enter your intake manifold, possible damage to occur can be hydrolock, irreversible damage to emissions devices, misfires, etc. Most times, engine replacement is required if ignored long enough.) viewtopic.php?f=53&t=1061
  
  Series I, II, III RPO Code L67 & L32:
  Change Supercharger Oil; Every 30-50k. (Intense Racing or GM Dealer) viewtopic.php?f=56&t=1690
  Supercharger Belt; Inspect Every 15k, Replace Every 100k or as needed.

7/29/2012 by 00Beast

I just got a 2000 SE with 168 (now 170) k miles on it late last year and the only reason I haven't done all of the suggested maintenance on that list is because of low familiarity level / lack of a lift. When I ask about what people recommend, they said "all of them are on that list for a reason."

I'm sure that's a good point... as funds and time permit I expect to start getting up to date on some more of them.

[pittydaddy]

Took it to my shop. This is what I found. Trans is leaking. Mostly pan. Powersteering but I know what to do about that. Front left hub is a little bit minutly almost undetectibly loose no noise. Lim gasket leaks slightly. Gonna wait on that one. Dont worry not too long. No knocks. No lifter noise. Sc blow bacl valve is not working correctly or the boost sensor isnt working right. One of the two. Strutts are still good amazingly. No leaks hardly any bounce back. Here is what im doing this weekend. Plugs. Wires. Tranny pan and filter. (Anyone know the capacity right off the top of thier head. If not ill check alldata tomorrow) and a seafoam treatment. Also gonna wipe out the intake and wash and wax. Any other thoughts and suggestions?

[pittydaddy]

Oh and change the sc oil. Its black and stinks to high hell. And I know its gear oil and is gonna smell but this still had the factory torque stripe on it

[pittydaddy]

Here is the list that gets pasted here a lot:

• 1987-2005 Bonneville / Buick 3800 Maintenance List
  
  Grease: Ball Joints, Tie Rods Every 8-10k ( Green Grease or Amsoil Grease recommended)
  Air Filter Every 15k (Amsoil EaA, Purolator PureONE)
  PCV Valve Every 30k
  MAF Sensor Element Cleaning/TB Cleaning Every 50k viewtopic.php?f=48&t=1661
  Fuel Filter Every 15-25k (Purolator, AC Delco,
  WIX) http://www.pontiacbonnevilleclub.com/fo ... 45&t=23215
  Spark Plugs Every 30-50k (NGK TR55, AC Delco 41-101 or Autolite 605) (Never Bosch)
  Ignition Wires Every 30-50k (Napa Belden, AC Delco, Autolite Pro, NGK) (Never Taylor or Bosch)
  Oil & Filter Every 5-6k or Every 6 months (Valvoline SYNPower, Pennzoil Platinum, or Amsoil )(Mobil1, Purolator PureONE, Amsoil EaO, K&N or WIX) (Never Fram) viewtopic.php?f=45&t=214
  *Conventional Oil Every 3k/3 months(API SM/SN rating) (WIX (Napa), Delco or Purolator filter)
  Tires: Check Inflation Pressure & Visually Inspect Monthly Rotate Every 6-8,000 Miles
  Transmission Flush or Pan Drop Every 15-20k (Always make sure filter is changed when flushed) viewtopic.php?f=45&t=10193
  Cooling System Flush Every 25-50k or 3-5 Years (Peak or Prestone Mixes-With-Any Coolant Only) (Never Dexcool)
  Oxygen Sensor Every 80-100k (30k for non-heated) (AC Delco or Denso) (Absolutely never Bosch) viewtopic.php?f=48&t=794
  Accessory Belt Inspect every 15k, replace every 100k, or as needed
  Cabin Air Filter Inspect and Replace every 15k, or as needed in dusty conditions. (Note: 00+ Only) viewtopic.php?f=45&t=13626
  Evap Core Cleaning Whenever Needed (Note: 99 and older only) viewtopic.php?f=45&t=2432
  Brake Fluid Flush 3yr/50k
  Power Steering Fluid Replacement/Flush Every 100k or 5 years
  
  *Special Considerations*
  All Series II/III 3800's RPO's: L36, L26, L67 & L32, especially important on vehicles factory installed with orange Havoline Dexcool Antifreeze/Coolant: http://www.dex-cool.net/
  Lower Intake Manifold Gasket Replacement, every 80-100k (ignorance of this can allow coolant to enter your engine oil, this happening can cause irreversible lower engine damage, requiring replacement of subject engine)
  
  Series II, Naturally Aspirated, RPO:L36:
  Upper Intake Manifold Plenum Replacement, Every 80-100k (ignorance of this can allow coolant to enter your intake manifold, possible damage to occur can be hydrolock, irreversible damage to emissions devices, misfires, etc. Most times, engine replacement is required if ignored long enough.) viewtopic.php?f=53&t=1061
  
  Series I, II, III RPO Code L67 & L32:
  Change Supercharger Oil; Every 30-50k. (Intense Racing or GM Dealer) viewtopic.php?f=56&t=1690
  Supercharger Belt; Inspect Every 15k, Replace Every 100k or as needed.

7/29/2012 by 00Beast

I just got a 2000 SE with 168 (now 170) k miles on it late last year and the only reason I haven't done all of the suggested maintenance on that list is because of low familiarity level / lack of a lift. When I ask about what people recommend, they said "all of them are on that list for a reason."

I'm sure that's a good point... as funds and time permit I expect to start getting up to date on some more of them.

Gotta say that 50k miles plug change does not sound right at all. Uridium plgs are 100k at the very least. But. Im changing them any way

[crash93ssei]

If the engine isn't misfiring then just leave the plugs and put that money towards the LIM gaskets, that's the most important thing on that list as far as I am concerned and really the only one that has any serious potential to cause major problems sooner then the others. These engines are nothing like the old carbed engines that eat spark plugs, these are very easy on them and can go a very long time on the ones right from the factory.

[pittydaddy]

Thats the peoblem. Its missing and coughing. Its not horrible and its not the coil packs. I will gst the gasket done. But if I cant get it into drive or if a plug fouls and possibly breaks. Im screwed. I know the gasket is important but with it either just barly leaking or seeping at this time it gets pushed back. Causr its not just the gasket cost. Its the time I have to work on it and cost of coolant. Unfoutunatly. My company will not allow me to worl on my own car in the shop

[crash93ssei]

Yea, then it would be good to tackle the plugs and wires for sure. Just keep a good eye on the coolant level to make sure it doesn't take a sudden drastic drop, keep the oil checked as well to make sure it doesn't get milky.

[pittydaddy]

Also. Im having a hard time finding supercharger oil. Gm number 12345982. Is there a cross ref number for an9ther brand or is it gm oil or nothing. The sc oil in the bonne smells like total ass and the factory torque stripe was still on it till I took a look at it

[pittydaddy]

And apparently you cant find the bolt pattern to torque the tranny pan down cause people get into an argument about cork vs rubber or aluminized gaskets. Jesus. I just want the torque spec and pattern unless the standard cross method is ok. And think I saw someone post 125 inch pounds is that right

[pittydaddy]

Nevermind. Found it. 10ft/lbs. Or 120 in/lbs. Also. Standard cross pattern is what gm shop manual says. Start withe the inner most bolt qnd work your way out following standard pattern. Step torque too