to make other ppl feel better

[razial22]

ok heres alittle something to make every1 feel better about the probs they are haveing with they're aleros.
mine is a 2000 3.4l 6 cyl top model, i mean leather, power doors,windows,driver seat,full idiot dash.....the works.
i bought it used in january of 2003 with 50k on it.
since then, i've replaced
1 LIM
8 fuses
5 head lights,
1 muffler (my own fault for backing into a boulder....funny story if any1 wants to hear it)
4 hubbearings
2 fan resisitors,
3 sets of sparkplugs AND wires (damn crap-tasticly made wires)
1 driver side window motor
1 FULL stereo system (head unit and speakers, sont xplode 400 watt 4 ways works nice)
2 strut mounts
2 ball joints
and to top it all off, my # 1 least fav problem.......i replaced the engine after I put about 30k on it makeing it about 80k total....so have fun laughing and being thankful but dear god, i'm into this car for about 25k no after the loan is paid.

and any1 have any suggestions (besides don't do it) about painting the the engine cover (big metal block that says 3400 SFI)??

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by razial22

and any1 have any suggestions (besides don't do it) about painting the the engine cover (big metal block that says 3400 SFI)??

Are you referring to the upper intake manifold which has 3400 SFI imprinted on it?

I thought painting cast aluminum wasn't recommended or that easy but people have done it. The latest trend is getting the upper intake manifold powder coated in the color of your choice. A company called APoC - American Performance of Colorado has polished and ported upper intake manifolds ready to go with a power coating option.

[razial22]

ya, the manifold, i talked to a bunch of ppl, includeing a friend who works at the dealership, it said its no problem, just don't be stupid and paint the underside or use non-high heat paint. i gave a quick 1st coat to see how it will stand up against MY normal driveing (i deliver pizzas in this thing 10-12 hours a night) so, after about a week, i firgure i should have a good view of whats gonna happen. as for powder coating i would do that, hell, i WANT to, but even if i have a friend take it to work i'm too poor after all those repairs to afford it lol

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by razial22

ya, the manifold, i talked to a bunch of ppl, includeing a friend who works at the dealership, it said its no problem, just don't be stupid and paint the underside or use non-high heat paint. i gave a quick 1st coat to see how it will stand up against MY normal driveing (i deliver pizzas in this thing 10-12 hours a night) so, after about a week, i firgure i should have a good view of whats gonna happen. as for powder coating i would do that, hell, i WANT to, but even if i have a friend take it to work i'm too poor after all those repairs to afford it lol

Sounds good. You gotta do whatever you have to based on your budget. I hope it turns out good for you. Good luck!

[razial22]

well the 1st coat is on and look tight in bright caliper paint color red (really bright red) and so far with the extreme abuse my engine goes through all night at work i haven't seen ANY problems what so ever, i figure i'll give it about 2 weeks total before i put on the 2nd coat just be on the safe side and make sure nothing goes wrong. i did get some nice looks from a few ppl at a local "tuners" car show (basically a bunch of us who get togather and show off our cars and the plans we have for them. hehe if u have any ideas i'd love to hear them.
mine right now all about tinting the windows, finishing the calipers/brackets,manifold, i want the engine color scheme to be red with blue. then i need to re-paint the car and throw on some grafix.
also need a new muffler/exhaust kit, drilled/slotted rotors with ceramic pads, and a full sound system (i have a new head and rear speakers 400watt 4 way sony xplodes sound nice at 85mph) anyway. any suggestions or idea u have would be appreciated thanx

l8rs

[[email protected]]

I guess i'm curious---with all the problems you and other people have had with the Alero, why would you sink any money into it?

My daughter has a 2001 with the 3400 engine (it was her first new car right out of college). Worst engineered car I have ever seen. I've had to replace 3 wheel hub assemblies, the intake manifold gaskets, alternator, fan resistor and, just yesterday, she had the car towed to a mechanic because something went in the valve train. This on a engine that gets religious 3K mile oil changes w/Castrol oil. I can see why GM stopped making these things and is in financial trouble.

[razial22]

well, for me stinking with the car is all about my budget, how much i owe on it, and the fact that i've already spent too much money to wanna thorw it away. i guess also b/c i have a heavy foot and this car is a sleeper.as much as i complain and whine about all the problems it has i still love it. its the nicest looking car i've owned and the 2nd best (1st in both cases being my 99cavalier z24) i was warned before i bought it the problems i would have with it and i guess hey, we all gotta get to work somehow right? all in all this car actually LOWERED my ins premiums too.......oh dang, the car hears me praiseing it, something is gonna break tomorrow....

[petermc]

razial u've got the best attitude. i bought an 04 - 3400 and am praying they actually fixed the LIM problem. but all those problems jeez it does stretch ones loyalty. let me pass on a big thank u to bnaylor gtdad and others who have contributed so much too this site. your expertise is greatly appreciated.
peter

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by petermc

razial u've got the best attitude. i bought an 04 - 3400 and am praying they actually fixed the LIM problem. but all those problems jeez it does stretch ones loyalty. let me pass on a big thank u to bnaylor gtdad and others who have contributed so much too this site. your expertise is greatly appreciated.
peter

Thanks for the vote of confidence. We do the best we can. I don't know about Lynn (GTPDad) but owning an Alero or any GM "N" body car can be frustrating. We have been fortunate with our '02 GL2 but it did have major problems that were covered under warranty. It has been fine since. You have to make the best of what you have.

I set up an Off Topic Thread which is at the top of the forum so everyone can complain about or praise their Alero to their heart's content.

[razial22]

well, its been awhile since i've posted and updated, figured i'd let u guys know.
painting the manifold has had no negative effects what so ever. and looks really sweet. the new drilled/slotted rotors and pads are in the mail from a california company......i'll post the name when i can remember it and can talk about the quality. got some new hid head lights from autodynamics.com, the windows from a place called mr.tint in my area, AND managed to get some nice rims from a friend....hehe payment plans through friends are great.

by the way. for the person commenting on his daughters alero. some good news for ya. yes the car was poorly engineered but the goos thig is, for the car once u replace the part ur good to go.so ya, u have to put some cash in it. but after that hey, no worries. i suggest not useing oem parts for the car, i personally use advance auto parts for everything unless i can't fix it myself.
the hub bearings are easy as hell. its all 1 part and shouldb be about $130 each b/c its the hub bearing AND the speed sensor in 1 part.

well good luck, have fun, and keep rollin.