Grand Prix 95 SE Advice

[toostrike99]

Hey Guys-I have a Grand Prix 95 Se.It has 86,000 miles,and I need some service work done.I know a very trustworthy mechanic that has worked on my cars for years,but I still want to run this by forum members.

Here is my debt/service list:

Struts Front/Back-I can only afford to do the back at this time.It has heavy duty struts.I has quoted 267.00 dollars for balancing mounts and back struts installed.

Tranmission flush and fill- $80.00

Anti-freeze-It is low on fluid,but I'm not sure if I should just drain and fill,or go for the flush and fill.$80.00- 100.00 for flush and fill.

Tune up parts-My mechanic will let me buy the tune up parts,and he will install the parts.

Tune up list
oil change- I will do that
Wires/wires
cap/rotor
? Am I missing something

Any advice is appreciated!!

[richtazz]

your biggest concern is why the coolant is low. The 3.1 is notorious for intake leaks, and this needs to be addressed if it's your issue, because a head gasket failure will occur if it's not taken care of. You will also need a 4-wheel alignment after the struts, so if you need all 4, get it done at the same time, or you'll have to get it aligned again. If you don't need front strut mounts, you may be able to get away with it, but I advise against it. Your car is distributorless, so it has no cap or rotor. A tune-up consists of plugs, wires, pcv valve, fuel and air filters. Do not do a trans flush. Only change the fluid that drains from the pan as you change the filter. There are many threads on here about the dangers of doing a trans flush/fluid exchange and I STRONGLY advise against it. The labor he is charging is fair, actually quite cheap, so it sounds like he's giving you a good deal.

[toostrike99]

Thanks

Originally Posted by richtazz

your biggest concern is why the coolant is low. The 3.1 is notorious for intake leaks, and this needs to be addressed if it's your issue, because a head gasket failure will occur if it's not taken care of. You will also need a 4-wheel alignment after the struts, so if you need all 4, get it done at the same time, or you'll have to get it aligned again. If you don't need front strut mounts, you may be able to get away with it, but I advise against it. Your car is distributorless, so it has no cap or rotor. A tune-up consists of plugs, wires, pcv valve, fuel and air filters. Do not do a trans flush. Only change the fluid that drains from the pan as you change the filter. There are many threads on here about the dangers of doing a trans flush/fluid exchange and I STRONGLY advise against it. The labor he is charging is fair, actually quite cheap, so it sounds like he's giving you a good deal.

Thanks for the big heads up on the tranmission advice.

I will buy the tune up parts suggested.I guess I'm not used to having fuel injection.It leaks a small amout of oil,but I think its due to the plastic valve covers.I will do that myself.I remember doing valve covers on a olds delta 88,and I had to loosen an move the ac to get to the valve cover on one side.

The coolant was not that far off the mark from normal,so I will get that checked.Is a flush and fill for coolant recomended?

Struts are a cost killer,so I know I got a good deal.

I also need a my fuel injectors cleaned,but I'll get that on the next round.I will also have to replace the dual exhaust within the next year.That will not be cheap.I'm guessing 500 dollars.

[richtazz]

On the oil leak, there is an o-ring on the oil pump drive shaft (it's essentially a lopped off distributor) on the drivers side of the engine under the throttle body. These are famous for leaking on GM 60 degree V-6's. The Fel-pro part number is 70800, and I use a small block Chevy paper distributor gasket (Fel-pro part #70194 as added insurance when replacing that o-ring. IF it is a valve cover leaking, you'll have to remove the coolant tube that runs along the front of the engine to get the valve cover off, and the Fel-pro valve cover set (VS50442R) includes the o-ring seal for that tube. Bleeding the cooling system of air can be a pain in the ass, so while you're in there, replace the thermostat too.