Grand Prix maintenance

Hi all...I have a 1998 Grand Prix GT with just over 100,000 miles on it. I have always had oil changes every 3,000 miles and maintence done at the dealership.

Well, I can't afford that anymore. So, what do I need to do and buy for a complete tune-up?

What kind of spark plugs are needed? Are they easy to change? Gap setting? Anything else that I would need to perform a basic tune-up before winter sets in? I just had new coolant put in (dealership).

OR, are these engines not really good to work on by myself and should be taken to the dealership??

One other thing, the lights on the radio went out. Dealership said that it would need a new stereo. It plays great (CD w/ equilizer) and feel that the lights should have some fuse or something burned out somewhere.

Thanks for all your help and I apologize for all the questions!

Thanks again,

Lee

as far as a tune up on the grand prix. all they recommend is changing the spark plugs, wires, fuel filter, air filter, pcv valve, and u might want to have the injectors cleaned. the pcv valve is under the fuel pressure sensor. u have to remove the fuel pressure sensor to get to it. the fuel filter is under the drivers door, as far as the plugs, the front 3 are easy. the back 3 requires u to rotate the engine forward. this isnt a big deal. there is a bracket on the top of the motor, just hook a bar in it and push down to rotate the engine after u loosen the motor mount. it is possible to change the back ones without doing this but u need small arms. it is very tight. as far as your radio, if i was replacing it i would just go with a good aftermarket one. factory players are junk.

as far as a tune up on the grand prix. all they recommend is changing the spark plugs, wires, fuel filter, air filter, pcv valve, and u might want to have the injectors cleaned. the pcv valve is under the fuel pressure sensor. u have to remove the fuel pressure sensor to get to it. the fuel filter is under the drivers door, as far as the plugs, the front 3 are easy. the back 3 requires u to rotate the engine forward. this isnt a big deal. there is a bracket on the top of the motor, just hook a bar in it and push down to rotate the engine after u loosen the motor mount. it is possible to change the back ones without doing this but u need small arms. it is very tight. as far as your radio, if i was replacing it i would just go with a good aftermarket one. factory players are junk.

Thanks for replying! A couple questions - Is there a certain type of spark plug that I should use to replace the factory ones? Also, when turning the engine, is it easy to lift and turn?? I am not sure exactly how you mean pushing down and turning. Does it swivel? I assume I would have to disconnect the drive shaft and so on as well. (Apologies if these are stupid questions but I don't wanna mess up!)

Thanks again...and is 3,000 miles the standard for oil changes?

first, factory radios are just fine, but if I state my further opinions on that, I will start a flame war.

the spark plugs are difficult to get to on the back 3. I manage to get my hands down there, but I've got a much larger engine bay in my Park Ave, so it's easier for me. As for loosening the engine, i think its just a matter of loosening the motor mounts.

Sorry to go grave digging.

the back 3 requires u to rotate the engine forward. this isnt a big deal. there is a bracket on the top of the motor, just hook a bar in it and push down to rotate the engine after u loosen the motor mount.

I need more info on this "hook a bar into it" process. I'm clear on the process for loosening the wishbone brackets, but can someone elaborate on the process after that point?

I have the Chilton manual and it shows either using a simple screw type device with hooks (though I'm not sure where to place the hooks) or chaining up the engine to a hoist (which I don't have).

You can get to the rear plugs without rotating the engine forward. It's a little tight but doable. I would stick with AC Delco plugs and wires, and since they are platinums, DON'T regap them. If you attempt to re-gap platinum plugs, you can knock the platinum disc off and essentially ruin the plug. Check them before you leave the store, and make sure they are all fine. If some doofus dropped the box, the gap can get mashed down, but Delco recommends not messing with them. As far as the radio display, there is a small bulb behind the LED that backlights it, and is replaceable. I did the one on my wife's mini-van (same radio). Teh bulb cost me a couple bucks at Radio Shack (it's a special bulb not available at regular retail stores) and it took less than an hour including removing the radio.