What all have you done to your Park Avenue?

[Loekee75]

HotZ28 and Cntrysthbst thought of a great new thread idea: list everything you've fixed YOURSELF on your Park Avenue! So here it goes, I'm anxious to hear what everyone else has had to do to their PA also, so post away!

1992 Buick Park Avenue:

Replaced heater core
Fuel filter, plugs and wires (done twice each since ownership)
Oil/filter change (countless times, regular basis for me)
PCV valve
Air filter
Radio (original was sold before I bought the car)
02 sensor (replaced twice, now it's the circuit that's bad, not the sensor!)
Battery
Battery cables
Engine coolant
Upper radiator hose
Lower radiator hose
Both heater hoses
COUNTLESS fuses during an electrical crisis
Sylvania silverstar headlights
R-134a refrigerant (I learned how to retrofit with this car, it was originally R12)
Rear view mirror (replaced with factory electrochromatic mirror)
Replaced heater core (TIME CONSUMING!!!! Needed a 12 pack for this one)
Complete detail, including every nook and cranny in the engine compartment!
Radiator fan relay (low speed)
Faulty cigar lighter circuit (caused A/C to turn on whenever any door was opened!)
Installed Concert Sound II speaker housings
Installed custom dome lights for the rear (inner c-pillar panels)
Driver door power window switch
Power Antenna (is it me, or does it seem like the power antennas just don't last long in these cars?!)
Left side passenger door shell (original had been torn apart by a semi's lugnuts going over 60 mph)
Driver and passenger side door lock actuators (PITA!!!!!!!!)
Starter (original starter had 140,000 miles/ 13 years old!)
Alternator (turned out this didn't need to be replaced, the ECM was the overcharging culprit!)
Cleaned evap. core
Wipers (regular 6 month change)
Thermostat replaced
Overhead console (2) Plastic doesn't make perfect in Park Avenues!
Visors w/ vanity mirrors
Cup holder (another non-perfect plastic part)
Driver door red door panel warning light.....I'm starting to hate plastic!
Dash speakers (if you own a 91'-96' model and possibly even a later model then you know that the sun KILLS the dash speakers!)

[mrfix]

1997 Park Avenue (51,000 miles)

Oil & Filter changes
Sticking throttle plate
Recharge A/C (R134a)
Coolant level sensor (bad connection)
Replace right rear bumper chrome (plastic) trim piece
Replace weather strips on lower edge of doors
Still working on the door lock delay problem (see other posts)

[Cntrysthbst]

I'll post later but am close to yours Loekee75, will be interesting!

[nrvespa]

1997 PA (68,000 miles)

Replaced Evaporator Core (ouch!!!)
Oil pressure sensor
Power Drivers Seat motors replaced (ouch!!!)
Oil Changes/Filter
Battery Replacement
New Tires
New Brake Pads (I need some new rotors too I think)

What I hope I never have to fix???

Anything electrical
Suspension
Another Power Seat

[Cntrysthbst]

Ok, lets see-

Regular maintance stuff oils, air, fuel, trans, filter, etc..
Tires - all 4
Rotors both
Drums both
Shoes and Pads
Calipers both
Wheel cylinders - both
Master Cylinder
Rubber brakes lines - all 4
Struts and mounts
Springs
Air shocks
12 Sub-frame bushings
Transmission mount
Engine mount
Dog-bone mount
And that mount by the big cooling fan
The Rack and Pinion
Outer tie rods - both
Exhaust gasket/donut
Exhaust holder uppers - the rubber O-ring things that hold the exhaust up
Plugs, wires, pvc,
Battery
Positive cables from battery to alt and assc.
Negative cable
Alternator 5/6 times till got the Delco one
Drive belt 3/4 times till replaced tensioner
Tensioner
Waterpump
Cooling fan temp switches - the things mounted on the big fan
Thermostat 3/4 times till replaced radiator
Upper radiator hose
Lower radiator hose
Radiator cap
Trunk seal
Drivers side rear light housing - it was leaking water into trunk
All 4 center hubs for rims - they were shot
Front splash shield - thing under the bottom front
ALL light bulbs in the entire car - had elec. drop/problems with wrongs bulbs
Keyless entry module box
Rear view mirror with compass - replaced the one without compass
Two heated leather front seats
Radio Cass/CD player factory
Lamp moitor
Headliner
Inside visors/sunshades
Cluster
Replaced both keyless remotes
Bought an extra key for ignition - 45 buks at dealer!
Window switches - whole unit with the power seat, mirrors, etc.
Heater core
Drivers side heated mirror
Emergency brake lever housing
Drivers side rail guide for window - it was rusted/broke
Oxygen sensors
Crank shaft sensor
Cam sensor
All three coil packs
Power steering cooler
Power ant. for the radio
Radiator - it also cools the engine oil, oil lines run to the radiator as well, and has the low coolant sensor on it.

Have added to car -----------
Big transmission cooler
Ventvisors
Radar det., navg.
tinted windows at 5%, except front windows they are 15%, yes legal here in Fla. where I live

I don't dare add these receipts! Alot of these repairs are because I'm picky, I want everything in good shape and working good. A few more is because I'm two blocks from the ocean. Salty, thick, humid, hot air, it rusts things quick.

Yet I still have a clunking over bumps which makes for poor ride and steering, and code 41. Hopefully all these repairs will pass and I can enjoy the car.

[wrightz28]

I'll leave it simply at what haven't I done

[Cntrysthbst]

That was a good laugh I needed!!! Thanks wrightz28. Looking back at all that is making my head hurt. I got a different perspective on this car now.

[nrvespa]

I need to add: Today...trip from Springfield IL to Peoria IL

2 new 60R16's (one blew a belt from SPI to PIA)
Firestone did me right for $181

Im on my way to Milwaukee tomorrow.....hope nothing else!!!!

[jag_man653]

Originally Posted by Loekee75

Rear view mirror (replaced with factory electrochromatic mirror)

Was it difficult to glue the mirror to the Windshield? Mine's on the verge of falling off.

[wrightz28]

mine slides on and off the base attatched to the windshield so all taht was replaced was the actual mirror and housing

[benEzra]

'97 PA Ultra with 135,000 miles. Shortly after getting it, I changed the supercharger oil, replaced the spark plugs, changed the engine oil to Mobil 1 full synthetic, topped off the A/C refrigerant, treated the door seal and underhood weatherstripping with dieletric silicone grease as recommended by the owner's manual and factory shop manual, and changed the cabin air filter. Also had a leaking fuel line replaced, but didn't want to do that myself, so I had the dealer do it.

Still to do:
Brake job and turn or replace front rotors
Replace fuel tank sending unit
Replace oil pressure sending unit

[benEzra]

Originally Posted by jag_man653

Was it difficult to glue the mirror to the Windshield? Mine's on the verge of falling off.

I've not done it on my Buick, but I've done it on other cars before. It's a pain, but not terribly hard. Wait until it actually comes off the windshield, then get a rear view mirror glue kit from the dealer or Autozone, and follow the instructions. Basically, you clean the bonding surfaces SUPER well, use the applicator to put the adhesive on the bonding surfaces, and then press the mirror to the glass and HOLD IT ABSOLUTELY STILL for a minute or so until the glue sets. The last part is the hardest.

[mojodojo2k]

1994 Buick Park Ave. Ultra Service Records


35,101 miles (5/15/97)
- New spark plugs
- Coolant/Transmission flush

48,910 miles (1/20/98)
- Replaced master door switch - passenger rear window switch was not working on master driver switch
- Replaced door lock actuator - front door lock not operating with keyless remote
- Replaced rear wheel cylinders - leaking

50,136 miles (4/01/99)
- Replaced battery (6 yr. warranty)

57,457 miles (5/11/04)
- Recharged refrigerant and added black die for future leaks

57,821 miles (8/17/04)
- Bought car for $6,100 (incl. tax)
- New tires – 225/60/16 Kelly Navigator Gold (Belle Tire)

59,000 miles (9/04/04)
- Fram Air Hog filter
- New PCV valve
- New fuel filter

60,100 miles (9/27/04)
- Changed supercharger oil

68,000 miles (3/7/06)
- New right wheel bearing - $144.16 (part) + $10 (labor)

78,301 miles (6/01/06)
- Coolant/Transmission flush’n fill
- New left bearing - $144.16 (part) + $20 (labor)
- New PCV valve

...and now i'm off to buy a ambient outside air sensor because it reads 115 degrees at all times. lol...it never ends i tell ya!

[Loekee75]

Adding to my list:
*New rotors (not drilled or slotted...... cheapies for $25 apiece
*Ceramic brake pads ($33 from the zone) whoever says ceramic pads don't brake well until hot haven't driven my car with them!
*Catalytic converter ($212 installed)....gone is the exhaust smell....not to mention a MUCH quiter and smoother ride

[LeBuick]

2002 PA w/40K

Thermostat
Cabin air filter
Frontbrakes (at 24K miles, imagine that)