just got a 97 bravada, few questions...

[zachzchw]

Just got a 97, a week ago today, actually. Couple of questions:
1. when i use washer fluid to clean the back window, it gets into the car, leaking from the trim about 8 inches from the back hatch. I believe its a problem with the washer system only, I washed the car, no water came in. Any suggestions on this?
2. from time to time, i hear a gurgling sound that sounds like its in the dash, sounds like water. Auto shop told me it was due to low coolant, filled, and still hear it. I read that a radiator cap may solve this, true or not?
3. I heard mention of a factory amplifier, person was unsure if this was true or not.
4. what is the oil pressure supposed to be at? Mine usually stays around 60.

Thanks for any help anyone can give.

[Chris Stewart]

Hi pal,
My '97 has the same rear window washer problem, the fluid line running across the rear hatch ceiling trim will break and leak. After I carefully pulled the trim away and repaired mine, it appearently has another leak somewhere else as my washer fluid jug goes empty.
If fixed my gurgling glove box with a new radiator cap. Use Prestone Long Life coolant...NOT dexcool.
The radio amp is built into the radio...no separate amp.
60 psi cold is ok. 40 to 50 hot is what I see. Your motor likes thin oil in the winter. Here in Tenn. I use Kendall 10W-30. Further north, I'd use the 5W-30. Your lifters will "peck" if the oil is too thick.
Another consideration is the rubber oil lines going to your oil filter...you don't want to bust one of those.
How many miles is on yours? What color?

[zachzchw]

Mine is white, has just over 75,000 on it. I currently work as a pizza guy, looking for another job, dont want all the miles to accumulate. I went for an oil change, put in valvoline 5w-30, also had them check the antifreeze. At some point, someone did the right thing- drained the dexcool, replaced with standard green. I filled it up with just what you said- the prestone long life. Guess Ill take it back to the dealer, have the washer fluid line fixed. Any special tips or recommendations to keep this in top shape? Signed a 3.5 year loan, love the truck, want to keep it in top shape. How do you like yours, has it been reliable? Thanks for the help.

[Chris Stewart]

Sounds like you've got a nice Bravada. They also had a transmission problem that has likely already been addressed on yours.
I really like mine and like the old timer mechanics said when I was a teenager in the 70's...don't go cheap on fuel and oil. Now I add to that, protect your electricals at all costs...keep a good battery and it'll protect your alternator, starter and computer. A junk battery will turn your electrics to JUNK.
I think paint was invented to keep shiney. Wax that paint and don't forget the top.
Rotate yer tires so they'll stay the same diameter and be nice to your Smartrack AWD system...now that's something you'll really enjoy when the road gets bad.
I don't off-road my vehicles.
I bought a neat little pump that lets me pull about 3 qts. of transmission fluid out of the trans. through the dipstick tube and I replace it with new fluid ...once a year.
I've read that the lumbar support gadget on the seat has wiring that rubs the seat frame and shorts it out among other things. I set it and haven't messed with it since.
I gave mine a Slick 50 treatment and now add 1/2 cup Slick 50 at every oil change. Did the same thing on my '92 Bravada...it has 177k now :>]
I spray painted the front grill dark charcoal metallic to cover the original gray.
I use Mcguier products.
Sorry for the long post ya'll.

[zachzchw]

Got a duralast gold battery, looks to be pretty new. Just got an oil change, used slick 50 engine treatment, accompanied by slick 50 fuel system cleaner. Bought Meguiars cleaning/waxing supplies first day I got the car. I used valvoline for the recent oil change, a mechanic friend of mine suggested sticking to castrol, so Ill go that route from now on. The alt currently puts out a tad over 14 volts, kind of worried about that rating when I get my amps in. Im very glad to hear you like yours, hope mine works as well for me.

[Chris Stewart]

Don't get too excited about the voltage guage...they're not dead on. Check it against your regular digital volt/ohm meter.
If your trans fluid isn't bright red, have the fluid & filter changed.
Concerning the trans., GM messed up on a bunch. They also messed up on the trans. dipstick and dipstick tube...they rusted so bad that the dipstick would be damaged badly trying to get it out. That happened to me while I was checking it out before purchasing it. Because I knew the filter would keep the rust and junk out of the system, I agreed to still consider the car after they replaced the trans. filter, fluid, dipskick and tube.
Because there was a bulletin on the valve body inside the trans., they changed it too.
After all the work I tried it out and it passed muster so I bought it.
It's been a honey except for the rearwindshield washer and fuel guage. The brakes are lots better than the '92 also.

[zachzchw]

In the owners manual, it stated I should do a chassis lube every 3000 miles. What does this consist of? Also, how much is it to get the trans filter changed? thanks again for all your help.

[Chris Stewart]

A chassis lube is putting grease in the grease fittings on steering parts, and upper and lower ball joints. Because they're sealed and have good grease from the factory, I giv'em 1 shot with the grease gun every 50k. Too much grease busts the seals.
When the trans. filter change became necessary, I paid a local repair shop (not a transmission shop) about $40 labor & fluid, I brought them the filter & gasket to save them time and me a few bucks since I waited for them to do the job on the '92.
Because the '97 had a new filter when I bought it, I haven't changed the filter again...jes' the 3qts. change every year, staying bright red too.

[zachzchw]

Bump up an old post. Chris, what is the device you mentioned for pulling some transmission fluid? Like if I go to autozone, what exactly should I ask for?

[Chris Stewart]

It's a hand pump, I found another one lately at Harbor Freight.
Here's an update for you, if you're driving and the trans starts slipping on the 2nd to 3rd upshift and the Check Engine light comes on, manually shift to 3rd. What happens is the 2-3 shift solenoid fails but the manual gear selection overides the solenoid and you'll get the shift. I wasn't driving mine when the slippage occured and after stopping at the store and driving with the trans slipping, the 3rd gear clutch lining got worn off and the bill came out to $1750 instead of a $100 solenoid replacement.

[zachzchw]

How will I know when it slips? Like Ive said, Im definitely not a mechanic, want to know what to look out for.

[Chris Stewart]

Turn off the radio , listen for the engine sound change and car kinda bump during a normal shift now. Get aquainted with it and get used to it...expect it.
I'm hoping my shift solenoid failure is NOT a design problem, the shop that did mine said it's not common.
One day if you miss the engine sound change & the bump and you notice the car has quit pulling even though you give it more gas and the engine RPM goes up but the car don't pull harder AND the Check Engine light comes on, pull the shifter to Drive and see if the car starts responding to your mashing the gas pedal. It should respond so you can get home and start making plans for the trip to the trans shop. If the trans isn't hurt, it would be worthwhile to have the car towed to ensure minimum damage to the clutches so the repair costs stay down and not require a complete rebuild.

[zachzchw]

I do get a small delay when giving it gas, the rpms raise before it accelerates. I always just assumed it was due to it being an suv. Its not drastic, though. Is this pretty much something that Ill definitely notice, like when it happens Ill know right away that something is wrong?

Also, you mentioned painting the grill. Id like to pull my grill around the headlights, and the one down around the foglights, are they fairly simple to remove?

[Chris Stewart]

Yes , there's a very delay when you first hit the pedal...it's the torque converter "tightening"(for lack of a better term. After learning your trans. and the gear shifts, you'll recognize excessive slippage IF it occurs.
When I painted my grill, I masked the areas I didn't want to get paint on , turned the car so the wind would blow overspray away from the hood and painted the thing. I used the blue masking tape and waxed the hood and fenders before and after the job.