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03 ssei any helpful hints?

Posted: Sat Apr 03, 2010 11:37 pm
by reycycle
picking up a new to me 03 on tuesday. has 46k miles was wondering if there was anything i need to know seeing that i am new to this 3800 seriesII supercharged experience. thanks.

Re: 03 ssei any helpful hints?

Posted: Sun Apr 04, 2010 8:44 am
by Gumball
Welcome! theres plenty to learn about your car here, I would start with reading some of the 2000+ section.

enjoy the site.

Re: 03 ssei any helpful hints?

Posted: Sun Apr 04, 2010 1:18 pm
by myfirstbonnie
Welcome to the club!

Re: 03 ssei any helpful hints?

Posted: Sun Apr 04, 2010 2:12 pm
by 2000Silverbullet
Enjoy. Begin by changing plugs, wires and front O2 sensor. Change out all fluids.

After that, the fun begins. :bow:

Re: 03 ssei any helpful hints?

Posted: Sun Apr 04, 2010 9:19 pm
by 00Beast
Welcome from another 03 SSEi owner!! Got any pics?

Going off of what silverbullet said, start off by making sure all the items on this list are up to date, then we can go from there.

Brand Suggestions are in the parentheses.
  • 1987-2005 Bonneville / Buick 3800 Maintenance List

    Run Seafoam through gasoline and intake every 5,000 miles. One pint of Seafoam in a half tank of fuel is a good mix. The intake is optional, but recommended.

    Grease: Ball Joints, Tie Rods Every 8-10k ( Green 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)
    Spark Plugs Every 30-50k (NGK TR55 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 (Mobil1 or Amsoil)(Mobil1, Purolator PureONE, Amsoil EaO or WIX) (Never Fram) viewtopic.php?f=45&t=214
    *Conventional Oil Every 3k/3 months(Pennzoil with a WIX (Napa), Delco or Purolator filter)
    Transmission Flush or Pan Drop Every 15-20k (Always make sure filter is changed when flushed) http://www.pontiacbonnevilleclub.com/fo ... 45&t=10193
    Cooling System Flush Every 25-50k or 3-5 Years (Peak or Prestone Green 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)
    Evap Core Cleaning Whenever Needed (Note: 99 and older only) viewtopic.php?f=45&t=2432

    *Special Considerations*
    All 3800s, LG3, LN3, L27, 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.
4/4/10 by 00Beast