Problmes, Part-Numbers, and Pictures.

Hello everyone! I'm Mike, First I want to thank all of those who where kind enough to post solutions to problems for all to see. My intent is to post the problems i have had with mine and the solutions+part numbers. I have been tinkering with vehicles for a while now, mostly a problematic high-mileage S-10. About a month ago my neighbor offered me a 2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue for a price I could not refuse. When i singed the title i knew of a only a few problems. I bought it knowing it had been sitting for 3-4 months after being daily-driven. I knew the battery light was on, and that the driver window and heated seat didn't work. After it was all said and done, I replaced:

Alternator
Custom bigger battery cables
Battery
Front valve cover gasket
thermostat housing + thermostat
Surge Tank + cap
Coolant crossover gaskets:runaround:
Driver window regulator
hazard blinker assemble
Fuel filter, Oil change, PCV valve, air filter
Spark plugs
Throttle body cleaned + both gaskets
Cabin air filter
Replaced broken wire in drive heated seat curcit
Replaced blow rear speakers.
Cleaned, Cleaned, Cleaned!

OK I'm going to break it up into each part/area fixed. most pictures include the old/new parts.

The very First thing i did was replace the battery hoping i didn't need to replace the alternator, also the cabin air filter.

Cabin air filter: PN CAF-1706
http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/xx53/DirtryCommieGT/Intrigue/100_1406-1.jpg (http://s741.photobucket.com/user/DirtryCommieGT/media/Intrigue/100_1406-1.jpg.html)
What this is, is a per-cursor to the entire thread, It looked like the filter has never ever been replaced. :mad:


After stranding myself I knew definitively that i need to replace the alternator, so as I tore into it I found more issues, and things that needed to be replaced.

Alternator: Duralast gold PN: DLG1801 My guess it died due to age and the leak from the front valve cover gasket.
http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/xx53/DirtryCommieGT/Intrigue/100_1532.jpg (http://s741.photobucket.com/user/DirtryCommieGT/media/Intrigue/100_1532.jpg.html)
http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/xx53/DirtryCommieGT/Intrigue/100_1533.jpg (http://s741.photobucket.com/user/DirtryCommieGT/media/Intrigue/100_1533.jpg.html)

Battery cables: one-off from Innovative Wiring (http://www.innovativewiring.com/)

http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/xx53/DirtryCommieGT/Intrigue/100_1589.jpg (http://s741.photobucket.com/user/DirtryCommieGT/media/Intrigue/100_1589.jpg.html)
Alternator Connection, Left is new(2ga) right is old(6ga):
http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/xx53/DirtryCommieGT/Intrigue/100_1590.jpg (http://s741.photobucket.com/user/DirtryCommieGT/media/Intrigue/100_1590.jpg.html)
Fuse box:
Left is new(2ga) middle is old(6ga) right is factory alternator supply wire(8-10ga)
http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/xx53/DirtryCommieGT/Intrigue/100_1591.jpg (http://s741.photobucket.com/user/DirtryCommieGT/media/Intrigue/100_1591.jpg.html)
For those of you experiencing flickering lights, I can guarantee that the problem lies is the factory cables, they are just to small and poorly designed. The cables I had built are bigger gauged and connect the alternator directly to the battery with 2Ga, whereas the the factory goes:
Battery - 6ga - fuse box connector - 8ga(fuseable link) - 6ga - alternator
Have not had any flickering or dimming lights yet

Front valve cover gasket: PN: VS50597R
http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/xx53/DirtryCommieGT/Intrigue/100_1529-1.jpg (http://s741.photobucket.com/user/DirtryCommieGT/media/Intrigue/100_1529-1.jpg.html)

ACDelco Thermostat Housing: PN: 15-10570 (http://www.amazon.com/ACDelco-15-10570-Thermostat-Clutch-Housing/dp/B000EQL1G2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1332870530&sr=8-1)
http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/xx53/DirtryCommieGT/Intrigue/100_1534.jpg (http://s741.photobucket.com/user/DirtryCommieGT/media/Intrigue/100_1534.jpg.html)
Notice all of that crud? I bet you a dollar someone put those stop-leak tabs in the cooling system. While it may have stopped the leak, it plugs up the cooling system in the process; I dont think the dex-cool helped either.


ACDelco Surge Tank: PN: 10405607 (http://www.amazon.com/ACDelco-10405607-Radiator-Surge-Tank/dp/B004NW7FF4/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1332870620&sr=1-1)
old:
http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/xx53/DirtryCommieGT/Intrigue/100_1469-1.jpg (http://s741.photobucket.com/user/DirtryCommieGT/media/Intrigue/100_1469-1.jpg.html)
New:
http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/xx53/DirtryCommieGT/Intrigue/100_1522-1.jpg (http://s741.photobucket.com/user/DirtryCommieGT/media/Intrigue/100_1522-1.jpg.html)


Coolant crossover gaskets: Fel-pro PN 35722 (Called thermostat housing gaskets at autozone)

http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/xx53/DirtryCommieGT/100_1580.jpg
Look closely in this picture: Notice the dog leash? I used that to pull the crossover pipe away from the bolt (twoard the driver side) to get clearance.
http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/xx53/DirtryCommieGT/100_1583.jpg
http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/xx53/DirtryCommieGT/100_1584.jpg
Notice I shortened a bolt, I did this so I could re-install it without much fuss.
Almost 100 miles on the repair and still holding strong!


Driver window regulator: pn: Doorman 741-637
http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/xx53/DirtryCommieGT/2012-03-14150205-1.jpg
Yup, I was pissed.
http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/xx53/DirtryCommieGT/2012-03-14190313-1.jpg
Broken cables, so instead of replacing they shoved a piece of wood in it!


ACDelco Hazard switch: Pn: 10401280 (http://www.amazon.com/ACDelco-10401280-Hazard-Warning-Assembly/dp/B00493NXEY/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1332871153&sr=1-1)
http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/xx53/DirtryCommieGT/Intrigue/100_1525.jpg (http://s741.photobucket.com/user/DirtryCommieGT/media/Intrigue/100_1525.jpg.html)
This is the old one torn apart, couldn’t see any damage but the new part fixed my intermediate blinkers.


ACDelco Spark plugs: PN: 41-980
http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/xx53/DirtryCommieGT/Intrigue/100_1531.jpg (http://s741.photobucket.com/user/DirtryCommieGT/media/Intrigue/100_1531.jpg.html)
Yup, those are Autolites! they where trashed too, unknown mileage on them. Note: Never ever EVER put anything besides ACDelco plugs in a stock GM engine. Problems will arise if you don't.

Throttle body gaskets: Fel-pro 61306 + 61304
http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/xx53/DirtryCommieGT/2012-03-21151657.jpg
http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/xx53/DirtryCommieGT/100_1480.jpg
Before
http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/xx53/DirtryCommieGT/100_1481.jpg
after


PCV Valve: PN: PCV1125DL
http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/xx53/DirtryCommieGT/Intrigue/100_1530.jpg (http://s741.photobucket.com/user/DirtryCommieGT/media/Intrigue/100_1530.jpg.html)


Broken wire in driver heated seat:
http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/xx53/DirtryCommieGT/100_1569.jpg
http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/xx53/DirtryCommieGT/100_1575.jpg
http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/xx53/DirtryCommieGT/100_1576.jpg
After using my DVOM, I discovered this, after repairing the wire my heated seat works great!


After all of that work, I then scuffed and spray-painted some engine brackets to make em look shiny, and this is what I ended up with:
http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/xx53/DirtryCommieGT/2012-03-14184132.jpg


the next step was to clean the exterior, after 3 baths, mostly waxed and a lot of elbow grease, here she is:
http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/xx53/DirtryCommieGT/100_1416.jpg
http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/xx53/DirtryCommieGT/100_1542.jpg
http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/xx53/DirtryCommieGT/2012-03-22134856-1.jpg


Well that is all for now. I need to replenish the funds before I tackle the next upgrades:
06+ impala brake upgrade, GMPP sway bar, fixing the AC and find the mysterious rattling by the serpentine belt area.


feel free to leave comments good or bad, hope this helps!

After all that she should be in great working order. I wish I had someone to give me a great deal on a Intrigue. Even with some of the issues I'm dealing with on my Intrigue, I'd love to get another one. I did come close to get one, guy was selling a tan 2000 Intrigue for $850. He told me it needed another motor, asked him if it was driven while overheating. He said yes. After pricing replacement parts, I tried to talk him into selling it to me $600. He wouldnt do it, to him $600 was too low because he took good care of the interior. I admit I was frustrated with him. I played the waiting game with him. I checked daily and the car was still in the parking lot. I guess I waited too long, someone got it.
I just love the body style of the Intrigues, the one you got is a beauty. I'm making small strides in getting the body work done.

Thanks for your project details & pics.
I have a 2000 Intrigue that I love driving.
Good point about alternator/valve cover leak.
I have (1) question: what did you use to clean the wheels?
I can't get mine to look that good.