Just bought 1998 Lumina 2 weeks ago!

[eddiej88]

Hello, i am new to this site. I just purchased a 1998 Chevy Lumina with 136k. It does need some work. I am going to get the lower and upper intake gaskets replaced. a little seepage.Also, the multifunction or signal switch has failed.Looks like these are common problems with these cars.My last problem is their is a power steering noise under acceleration only and not turning.Usually only does it under 30 mph.Thanks for your thoughts.

[ptcfast2]

I just did the intake gasket job on my 98' a few weeks ago. I used the following guides: http://d-tips.com/General/Articles/a...sket/art10.art (Print this one out)
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...d.php?t=977985

It's not hard, just make sure you set aside a weekend to do it. I highly recommend reading the entire thread I referenced above. A few "gotchas" can happen when doing this. You also need to make sure you purchase the right Felpro gasket set. They make a plastic and metal version (you want the metal!) and the part number is MS98004T. I recommend purchasing it from Amazon as it's about $20 cheaper than your local parts store: http://www.amazon.com/Fel-Pro-MS9800...4319255&sr=8-1

If you are taking your engine down to the lower intake, you might want to think about replacing your head gaskets as well. It adds a few hours to the job, but you won't need to worry about them failing for a long time if you replace them now. Remember, buy new head bolts!

As for the multifunction signal switch: You can either replace it, or run your own wiring that feeds of the 3rd brake light. I've done the later as the switch runs about $90-$100 and I'm in no hurry to replace it if I have an alternative method to fix the problem . As the 3rd brake light is independent from the turn signal switch, you just need to find some GM pigtails from the junkyard and and run the appropriate wires. This thread should explain it in detail: http://www.automotiveforums.com/t603122.html

Finally, what does your noise actually sound like? I'm curious, as my 98' has started to develop a noise under acceleration that's coming from that area. It's hard to describe, but it sounds like a ringing/little bells the go away once I reach 40ish MPH.

[eddiej88]

Thanks for the reply and the links.The noise under acceleration does sound like ringing bells. Odd. I have a quote to do the lower and upper intakes for $450 and the switch for $155. not too bad .

[ptcfast2]

Originally Posted by eddiej88

Thanks for the reply and the links.The noise under acceleration does sound like ringing bells. Odd. I have a quote to do the lower and upper intakes for $450 and the switch for $155. not too bad .

Well, I'm glad someone else has the ringing bell problem. Are you positive it's from the power steering pump/power steering system? I've been wanting to figure out what it is for the lonest time, but it seems to only happen when I'm driving the car...

BTW: Those quotes aren't half bad. I've seen some outrageous ones for the same job(s) before...so good job on getting quotes for that price.

[eddiej88]

Also, im getting the service engine soon light.Had it scanned and it said EGR flow.Is this in anyway related to the intake gaskets?

[ptcfast2]

Originally Posted by eddiej88

Also, im getting the service engine soon light.Had it scanned and it said EGR flow.Is this in anyway related to the intake gaskets?

Nope, not intake gasket related. Those stupid things already cause enough problems!

The throttle body passage for the EGR on this car has a bad habbit of getting clogged up with carbon. You will need to take the air intake & throttle body off and get to the passage (on the right hand side of the upper plennium once your take the throttle body off) and clean it/de-carbon it. It's usually full of solid carbon, so you will need to take the EGR off as well and attack it from both angles. Start by soaking the passage with carb cleaner from the EGR side and after a minute or two use a small flathead screwdriver to jar some of the carbon loose...spray with carb cleaner, repeat until you get a bit of an opening in the passage. Once you get a good opening in use a bottle brush to open it up some more. You might not get it 100% perfect...but it should be enough for the error to clear.

[eddiej88]

Yeah, it does sound like power steering to me.But i am not 100% sure. No loss of power steering fluid. Like i said the noise dissapears after 30 mph. Thanks for the advice on the egr. Are there any pictorials on that.Thanks for all your help. Ed

[MAD King]

I have this rattling sound too, but I think it is coming somewhere from the exhaust manifold and I heard that is normal on the Lumina.

[ptcfast2]

Originally Posted by eddiej88

Yeah, it does sound like power steering to me.But i am not 100% sure. No loss of power steering fluid. Like i said the noise dissapears after 30 mph. Thanks for the advice on the egr. Are there any pictorials on that.Thanks for all your help. Ed

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpB6CELWYhQ

Originally Posted by MAD King

I have this rattling sound too, but I think it is coming somewhere from the exhaust manifold and I heard that is normal on the Lumina.

Odd. I could swear it just started happening a few months ago.

[eddiej88]

Originally Posted by ptcfast2

Nope, not intake gasket related. Those stupid things already cause enough problems!

The throttle body passage for the EGR on this car has a bad habbit of getting clogged up with carbon. You will need to take the air intake & throttle body off and get to the passage (on the right hand side of the upper plennium once your take the throttle body off) and clean it/de-carbon it. It's usually full of solid carbon, so you will need to take the EGR off as well and attack it from both angles. Start by soaking the passage with carb cleaner from the EGR side and after a minute or two use a small flathead screwdriver to jar some of the carbon loose...spray with carb cleaner, repeat until you get a bit of an opening in the passage. Once you get a good opening in use a bottle brush to open it up some more. You might not get it 100% perfect...but it should be enough for the error to clear.

The video i saw on the cleaning said i should get a throttlebody gasket and a upgraded egr. What do you guys think?

[ptcfast2]

Originally Posted by eddiej88

The video i saw on the cleaning said i should get a throttlebody gasket and a upgraded egr. What do you guys think?

TB Gasket: Won't hurt to get a new one and they are really cheap. I've never replaced mine as it still looks brand new....new gaskets are always a good thing though.

EGR: They run into the $100+ range for a new one and unless yours is completely messed up I wouldn't bother replacing it. You should get new EGR gaskets though (forgot to mention that). Mine were pretty messed up when I took mine off, and most Luminas I've seen have the same problem.

You might want to see what gasket set the shop is going to use. Make them utilize the Felpro MS98004T (heck buy it and give it to them for the job) if they don't plan on using it. It is the ONLY gasket which will cure the intake problem AND it contains new EGR gaskets as well. Felpro still makes the plastic gaskets which brake (the cheaper set) so they might use that to save money & and have you back in a year or two for the same job.

You can clean the EGR itself with some carb cleaner when you take it off. Make sure the valve moves freely by pushing up the little screw-looking type thing on the bottom of the valve.

I performed these EGR cleaning steps on my 98' 30,000 miles ago. I'm now at 223,590 without a hiccup.

[eddiej88]

Originally Posted by ptcfast2

TB Gasket: Won't hurt to get a new one and they are really cheap. I've never replaced mine as it still looks brand new....new gaskets are always a good thing though.

EGR: They run into the $100+ range for a new one and unless yours is completely messed up I wouldn't bother replacing it. You should get new EGR gaskets though (forgot to mention that). Mine were pretty messed up when I took mine off, and most Luminas I've seen have the same problem.

You might want to see what gasket set the shop is going to use. Make them utilize the Felpro MS98004T (heck buy it and give it to them for the job) if they don't plan on using it. It is the ONLY gasket which will cure the intake problem AND it contains new EGR gaskets as well. Felpro still makes the plastic gaskets which brake (the cheaper set) so they might use that to save money & and have you back in a year or two for the same job.

You can clean the EGR itself with some carb cleaner when you take it off. Make sure the valve moves freely by pushing up the little screw-looking type thing on the bottom of the valve.

I performed these EGR cleaning steps on my 98' 30,000 miles ago. I'm now at 223,590 without a hiccup.

Hey thanks for all the advice. Very helpful. I think i will buy those parts and give it to them.I bought the Lumina for $1600 so nows its time to dump 600-700 into it so i can run it to 200k.

[ptcfast2]

Originally Posted by eddiej88

Hey thanks for all the advice. Very helpful. I think i will buy those parts and give it to them.I bought the Lumina for $1600 so nows its time to dump 600-700 into it so i can run it to 200k.

Try 300k+ if you replace basic parts and keep up on oil changes/maintenance.

[eddiej88]

Originally Posted by ptcfast2

Try 300k+ if you replace basic parts and keep up on oil changes/maintenance.

Wow 300k would be awesome! I hate car payments!