"Back on the road" Maintenance

[alec_b]

Hi all-

I will (hopefully) be driving the SSEi once again shortly, and would like to know what all needs to be done to re-make it road worthy. Keep in mind it's got 203k on it so some of it can just be regular maintenance.

I haven't driven it in about 4 months, since the beginning of May. There isn't much gas in it, less than 1/4 tank, so that's not a problem, but here's what I was thinking of taking care of right away, money prevailing that is:

Fuel filter
Air filter
Fresh tank of 93
Coolant flush
Injector cleaner
Seafoam the engine
Oil change with lucas and good filter

Should that be OK to get it back on the road? It also is going to need a S/C coupler, that will be getting done shortly. It needs tires too, that's a money-pending situation. I'm waiting for my final confirmation from the state that I can go get my work permit and it should be coming any day now. Anything else you can think of add it to my grocery list. Thanks everyone!

[LeSabre in Buffalo]

If the filters were changed recently, I would check if they're intact and not bother changing. Ditto with the coolant if it's a year old or less.

Get a couple bottles of Chevron Techron, Gumout Regane, or Amsoil PI for the gas. Then you won't have to Seafoam the engine. Polyether amines beat stoddard solvent and naptha hands down for safe, effective carbon cleaning.

For the oil, there are some rebates out right now on Pennzoil (almost-free Pennzoil: http://clhousingpictures.com/viewer.php ... 743216.png for a $10 Advance Auto coupon, http://www.pennzoil.com/documents/04946 ... 20form.pdf for a $15 rebate form. Pennz Platinum is $5/quart at Advance right now, you need 5 quarts for the rebate). Stay away from Fram, any other filter is pretty good. I wouldn't use the Lucas. It's just a bottle of viscosity improver, and you don't need less oil in your car.

For tires, it's often cheaper to order off TireRack or Discount Tire Direct and have your mechanic mount them.

[spoiledred94]

Charge your battery and check serpentine belt and hoses for cracking and decay.

[alec_b]

Oh yea belts, I know those need to be done too. They're kind of spendy for these cars though.

Lesabre, I'm just throwing all the filters in there because I have most of them sitting around work, and if it's in stock my boss won't make me pay for it As for the tires, I get those at cost and I can M & B them myself, so that's no big deal.

[LeSabre in Buffalo]

Go for it! I wish I had connections like that...

The Gatorback I have on my L36 cost about $30 locally. For you both belts are probably about $60. Look on RockAuto and Amazon for better prices.

[bobfather99]

Oil change with lucas and good filter

Id just change the oil/filter, skip the Lucas and save some money.
Use any SL or SM-rated oil of your choice, oil alone should be just fine.