hi, Got a few questions about 04 GT

[Toddball]

Hello all,

About a month ago I got a used 04 grand prix GT with about 61k miles. When I got it there was some noise coming from the power steering pump, but having heard this type of noise on many other cars I wasn't too worried about it. I did have a mechanic go over the car before I bought it and he said everything else seemed good.

After a few weeks the check engine light came on and the next day I took the car to a local shop. This is what work was done on the car:

1) PS high pressure hose had a leak, replaced hose and refilled fluid. The noise from the PS is now gone.

2) The engine was not getting up to normal temp. The mechanic said the car would get to 195 degrees but normally they run at 210 degrees. This was what caused the check engine light to come on. Replaced thermostat and pressure tested coolant system.

3) Cleaned out the "throttle body". The car had stalled a few times when I would try to start it, I assumed I just didn’t hold the key on "start" long enough. I was told this would also help improve my MPG.

4) Changed oil/filter.

They also recommended but I decided not to do:
Flush transmission fluid and flush brake fluid.

So my questions are:
Does most of the work done seem pretty normal for a car with about 61k miles? Most of it does to me but my last car was an 85 Sentra so I don’t know much about newer cars.

Should I have the transmission/brake fluid flushed? I have seen posts about not getting the tranny fluid flushed when you have over 100k miles, good to do it with 62K on it or waste of $$ or just change fluid/filter. Would the brake fluid need a flush?

The car right now runs great and I plan to keep it that way, thanks for any help.

[jeepgclwj]

Welcome to AF. I just got my 98 GTP with 75,000 miles and as soon as I got several things went wrong real quick.

MAF sensor
brakes
car wouldnt start(dirty terminal ends)
tension pulley broke while driving

I changed these things and also changed spark plugs/wires, oil/filter, flushed radiator(got rid of the dex-cool).I dont know much about cars but I can see putting in a couple of bucks to a car with that many miles on it.

I have invested with all the fixes and tune-up maybe 5-6 hundred dollars in 3 months.I dont mind because I know its a good car. It has just temporarily stopped my modding process.

My 2-cents..this forum is very informative and these guys like to help. Good Luck

[GTPCatz]

Originally Posted by Toddball

So my questions are:
Does most of the work done seem pretty normal for a car with about 61k miles? Most of it does to me but my last car was an 85 Sentra so I don’t know much about newer cars.

Should I have the transmission/brake fluid flushed? I have seen posts about not getting the tranny fluid flushed when you have over 100k miles, good to do it with 62K on it or waste of $$ or just change fluid/filter. Would the brake fluid need a flush?

The car right now runs great and I plan to keep it that way, thanks for any help.

Depending on the history of the car this can be all normal....

1. could have been abused in the past -- not taken care of....maybe some undisclosed engine work

2. Could have had a colder thermostat installed -- alot of people that mod their cars do put colder thermostats in their cars -- I know that if a 160 T-Stat is installed the SES light will display

3. This was a total sales job done on you....didnt need it....Ive seen quite a few TBs and none of them ever needed cleaning.

4. Normal Maintanence


as far as the tranny flush...this is not needed....unless your fluid looks brown or smells burnt....Most the time this is how shops make their money back for buying the tranny flusher machine....they give unneeded flushes.
FYI...I would never get your tranny flushed....just drop the pan.

The brake flush is also not really needed but check your fluid if it looks black then it may need it.

[Toddball]

Thanks for your help.