Still happy...

After owning my car for about a year and a half and nearly 25K miles later, I am pleased to say that I am still happy with my purchase. I just washed the "Silver Bullet" today and I am just amazed at how well her paint has held up after nearly 50K miles...okay, more like 45K miles, but still, it looks like a brand new car. I guess that can also be attributed to my waxing habits...

There are a few things that I would still like to do soon, but being that I am a poor college student, they will have to wait until the summer when I can get more money. I want to add a rear strut tower brace (I already have the front), have the carpets cleaned, and get the splash guard under the front spoiler fixed. I cracked it in a few places when I hit ice mounds in the dorm parking lot :screwy: I also plan to clean the throttle body, but that is something that takes less than $5 and 45 minutes of my time. I can do that anytime :cwm27:

Anyway, I just felt like sharing...

Jeremy

Glad to hear it Jeremy :). LoL, sadly, less can be said about my car.

I just wanted to hit upon the throttle body thing (assuming you have a 3.4 like me) - when you clean the throttle body, pull out the IAC motor, and detach the throttle body from the UIM, this will allow you to clean the IAC cavity, the back of the throttle plate, and the entrance to the plenum. These will most likely be very dirty if they've never been cleaned before. Plan on going through an entire can of throttle body cleaner - use the stuff very liberally and you'll be very happy when you're done.

After owning my car for about a year and a half and nearly 25K miles later, I am pleased to say that I am still happy with my purchase. I just washed the "Silver Bullet" today and I am just amazed at how well her paint has held up after nearly 50K miles...okay, more like 45K miles, but still, it looks like a brand new car. I guess that can also be attributed to my waxing habits...

There are a few things that I would still like to do soon, but being that I am a poor college student, they will have to wait until the summer when I can get more money. I want to add a rear strut tower brace (I already have the front), have the carpets cleaned, and get the splash guard under the front spoiler fixed. I cracked it in a few places when I hit ice mounds in the dorm parking lot :screwy: I also plan to clean the throttle body, but that is something that takes less than $5 and 45 minutes of my time. I can do that anytime :cwm27:

Anyway, I just felt like sharing...

Jeremy

If you decide to clean the throttle body be very careful cleaning the MAF sensor. It is the sensor located at the input of the throttle body and the air cleaner assembly. It is a black ring (oval) with an electrical connector at the top. Be careful on which chemical you decide to use for cleaning. The air flow wires and the electrical components could be damaged if not careful.

BTW - I've only had three problems since purchasing my Alero. The battery, power steering pump and a leaking rack and pinion assembly all covered under the warranty before the bumper to bumper ran out.
However, many Alero owners have a lot of horror stories to tell. Getting ready to add a Granatelli Racing MAF sensor, CAI, performance ECM chip and hi-flow exhaust system.

2002 Alero GL2 (38k miles)

Thanks for the advice on cleaning the throttle body. I plan on doing it tomorrow. Do you know how long it will take if I fully remove the T.B. from the engine? BTW, I am using Valvoline SynPower Throttle Body Cleaner.

Jeremy

P.S. I almost forgot: Today I noticed that one of my fog lights is out. Do you know how to change that?

Thanks for the advice on cleaning the throttle body. I plan on doing it tomorrow. Do you know how long it will take if I fully remove the T.B. from the engine? BTW, I am using Valvoline SynPower Throttle Body Cleaner.

Jeremy

P.S. I almost forgot: Today I noticed that one of my fog lights is out. Do you know how to change that?

A couple of hours. To replace the foglight bulb: Look underneath the foglamp assembly and you'll see a wiring harness and the bulb holder on the bottom. Just twist and pull down. It's a little tight under there because of the bumper cover, etc.