Newb Lumina guy

Hi all
New to the board, but have been reading quite a bit. I feel I know my Lumina much better after some time spent reading some posts.

I just purchased a 2001 Lumina 3.1 with 110,000 miles for $1900.00. It was run by this guys teenage daughter which I found out about afterwards. So we'll hope it runs good.

I had to do an oil change, I did my usual conversion over to 10w-30 synthetic. Is this a good or bad choice for these engines? I run it everything else I drive so I figured we'd give it shot. Alot of folks have mixed views on synth, but I'm convinced, as well as everyone I've turned on to it's excellent lubrication qualities.

Actually you can't hear the engine idling from inside the car after the switch, which indicates to me that it's running smoother. I haven't taken her out on the road yet so we'll see if she likes it on my morning 40+ mile commute to work.

The engine had an inconsistant ticking/ lifter sound after start up, so I wonder how hard she's been run, I hope the syn will take care of that for me, it worked wonders on my ol' Subaru, it sounded like a sewing machine when I bought it and after the conversion it sounded like new again.

So far I've had to replace all the speakers and the stereo, so hence my screen name, if you see me now, you'll kno it. The multi function switch is not so multi function, or has taken on more functions of it's own depending on how you look at it. I should have that part on Tuesday and am debating on doing the job myself. I had to fix the dash mounted cup holder (thanks ebay). And that seems to be it for now.

Wish me luck.

It was run by this guys teenage daughter which I found out about afterwards. So we'll hope it runs good.


So far I've had to replace all the speakers and the stereo, so hence my screen name, if you see me now, you'll kno it.
what do u have against teenage daughters driving luminas..you think we actually LIKE driving a lumina? puh-lease...

and i replaced the speakers in my lumina too, unbeknownst to my parents..so hopefully if they ever find out it's after move out in a few months. i also purchased a pair of 10 in. pink subwoofers today so i'm excited about those.

good luck with your new lumina. while i can't comprehend what was going thru ur head when you decided to buy one, i hope yours runs better than mine does.

ya man nice choice
10W30 syneitc aint that bad , just DO NOT put in 5W50 synetic oh will destroy your oil sumpLOL l did that once befor hehe never was the same when l went back to 5W30synetic that was in my old 91 lumina
l drive a sweet 1993 fully loaded power everything 4speed auto 3.1 V6 300,xxxKM!!!!!!!


yeahthe speakers are a bit of a pain l'v done my fronts (just wore out bad quality) and the rears (broak one when l jammed 3hockey bages in the trunk)

The ticking/knocking at startup is piston clearences being slightly off due to expansion room in the bore, normal for a GM engine (there's currently a huge debate as to whether its a design flaw or a to-spec engineered issue)

Synthetic is better for lubrication, especially at startup. Worth the added cost, as well as the longer oil life. Not much you have to watch out for, just keep an eye on your oil and coolant, as these engines have a habit of the lower intake gasket deteriorating and letting coolant leak into the crankcase or intake ports.

Nothing against teenage girls driving, I but watched my sister and several of my girlfriends break the strangest things on their cars. And they always had me replace their blown speakers.

I decided due to lack of time and energy that I'll have the shop install the multi function switch, which will cost me $137.50 labor...$65.00 for the switch from NAPA. I called the dealer and he couldn't find a switch in the midwest, so he's out of the question. I've been told the aftermarket switches break pretty easy....anyone had any expierience with them?

As soon as I fired her up this morning the "service engine soon" light came on. So I'll reset the ecu and see if it comes back, then I'll track down a vag-com. Do those cheap vag tools at Wal-mart work for a Lumina? I generally run German cars, so American stuff is new to me.

She likes the synth. It has smoothed out the engine just as expected. Acceleration has improved as well. I think I may lightly tinker with this car to see if I can improve on it's performance, just by doing basic modifications. I will install a grounding system and look at/ modify the air box configuration.

$65 is pretty steep for a multifunction switch for your car. That same switch has been used since 1990, so I can't believe your dealer can't get one. I work at a Delco Distributor in Flint, Mi and we sell the Delco switch for $42.

That's the price I have to pay for living in the Upper Peninsula I guess. We're always getting screwed up here. Can you sell me one for $42.00, if so I'd kinda like to have an extra since the aftermarket version is not as good.

The dealership here probably has three of the switches sitting on the shelf, but the idiots that run the place wouldn't be able to find they butt if you didn't hand it too them. I didn't mention that the dealer price for this switch was $139.00 and the labor to put it in was $250.00!

Sounds like someone is making a killing on these things up here. That's why I never go to the dealer for parts.