Change all fluids,?

I have a 2000 buick lesabre, 3.8 v6 f.w.d. with 52500 miles.. I got it last year. I have the oil changed on schedule, but have not had anything else drained/replaced so would it be a good idea to have the rest of the engine fluids changed? ie' brake, radiator etc. or is this just a waste of money. I live in MI. so we get both winter and summer weather here in case that affects the maintenance of a vehicle. Thanks,

Y.D.

Reply to
angelsbridge
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I don't know if it's too late but my suggestions are:

1.) Unless reliable and accurate records are available, I'd change everything. 2.) If interested, this would be a good time to use Amsoil's product options, (except brake fluid.) 3.) Consider using the exclusive Ea Absolute Efficiency filters. This compliment the superior qualities of Amsoil's synthetics. I'm at
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where you can take whatever option works, ie. a catalog purchase is the easiest but not necessarily the best price. Your reply is welcome
Reply to
rudyxhiebert

It would be wise to do it. This would include coolant, brake fluid, and have the tranny serviced.

DONT let them powerflush the tranny. IMO, a total tranny fluid flushout is not necessary, but you should change the filter and top up with new fluid.

All of this is within the ability of a competent amateur.

Reply to
<HLS

If you don't know the last owner of the car and you don't have a full maintenance log on the car, play it safe and change everything. Don't forget the brake fluid. Just assume he never followed any of the recommendations in the book, change it all, and then start following them yourself.

--scott

Reply to
Scott Dorsey

It's a six year old vehicle. In addition to the wise advice above, I'd change all the hoses and belts too. They have a way of letting go at the least opportune moment.

Reply to
NickySantoro

Absolutely!! Glad you added this...

Reply to
<HLS

yeah, what he said. Although, my frugal side feels obligated to point out, it likely has more than the usual two molded radiator hoses and a couple universal heater hoses... so you might want to look at them before you go to your FLAPS so when one of the special hoses rings up at $80 you can remember whether that one looks real bad or not.

I would DEFINITELY change all the fluids, esp. tranny, brake, and coolant. Power steering if you have it and it's not too much of a PITA.

Be careful with the brakes if you have ABS, if you let the system run dry you will need a scan tool to get all the air out again. I like to use a pressure bleeder, it makes it a one man job and also you don't run the risk of trashing the master cylinder seals. Also if you have ABS be absolutely sure you don't introduce any dirt into the system... a conventional brake system can handle a little bit of dirt OK (although it's better not to introduce it) but an ABS system DOES NOT LIKE IT AT ALL.

I think 50K miles is a very good time to perform all of this maintenance. It's about the time you should change the trans fluid anyway. Also a nice round number and easy to remember when 100K rolls around.

Take a look at the brake hoses, while you're bleeding the brakes. If they look questionable, replace them. If you have ABS this might be a job for a mechanic with a scan tool.

good luck,

nate

Reply to
Nate Nagel

Also, regardless of the brand of motor oil you pick to pour into your engine, be sure it carries the mark which indicates that it meets API and ILSAC specifications. One is indicated by a "donut" shaped mark, the other by a "starburst" mark.

Reply to
Kaz Kylheku

according to the "severe service" schedule, of course. The regular schedule almost never applies.

The good news is that the 3.8 is possibly the best engine made by GM in the last few decades...

nate

Reply to
N8N

Its a good idea to take it to your mechanic and let him evaluate what needs changing. If you take it to EZ-OIL-CHANGO they will claim everything needs changing. This is a good time to establish a relationship with a reputable mechanic. I live in MI too and just bought a car. They seem to have changed everything by the looks of it, but they didnt change the brake fluid. I either need a brake bleed or new fluid because my brakes are horribly spongy.

Reply to
dnoyeB

Yes, it would be a very good idea to change all fluids unless you have some documentation that shows they were done earlier.

Reply to
John S.

The bad news is that the 3800 engine of that series has the fuel injection plenum 'weakness'.

In case the OP doesn't know about it, he should familiarize himself with the problem, the symptoms, and the 'treatment' for that day when it will most likely manifest itself.

The $350-$800 to have the plenum replaced can be a minor part of the equation, especially if it happens when you are on the road.

Although Iagree that the earlier 3800's are pretty good engines, GM found a way to screw them up with this generation II series.

Reply to
<HLS

Hi, I'm the orig. poster.. Can you explain what the "plenum weakness" is, with the 3.8 engines?? I've not heard of it. Thanks,

Y.D.

Reply to
angelsbridge

With pleasure... GM engineers, in all their austere genius, sourced plastic plenums for the

3800 series engines from about 1993-1994 to present. (I dont remember exactly which ones are in the lot, but yours IS).

With time, sections of this plastic plenum deteriorate, and coolant can enter the engine. The car runs roughly at first, and then can stop totally due to hydrostatic lock. Coolant in the cylinders and oil is bad. Very bad.

The cure is to remove the old POS (piece of s***), and replace it with a new and improved plastic plenum, replace the coolant, change the oil, and toodle on off down the road.

Cost runs roughly $350-$800 for the simple labor and parts. Some mechanics and dealerships might hold you hostage and charge you a lot more if they have you over a barrel.

GM has not accepted any good faith repairs for the most part. If you are within warranty, they should pay.. If you are not, roll over, Beethoven.

If it happens on the road, you are looking at delays, unnegotiable cost and service situations, motel expenses, and the development of a really pissy outlook.

It can happen without any warning whatsoever. It happened to our 1997 Buick last year. I had been watching for it for about a year.

There may be some that don't fail. I believe it is a matter of time, rather than chance.

Reply to
<HLS

Nate, what is a FLAPS?

I have not seen an $80 hose yet, but trust they exist, especially at dealerships.

I had a problem with my van last year, when a hose deteriorated and started leaking well below the normal maintenance schedule. In most cases, aftermarket hoses are fair replacements for reasonable costs.

But in THIS case, the aftermarket X-out was a dead miss. It wouldn't fit acceptably. Maybe I could have limped in with it, but it was a shitteaux replacement. I finally had to order it from the dealership (for about $30) and it fit fine.

This was not a GM, but it impresses the concept that if we don't service our cars, we can get caught up in a problem that is worse than paying to do it right in the first place. $30 (or even $80) for a hose is far cheaper than spending two or three nights on the road on our own ticket.

Reply to
<HLS

Friendly Local Auto Parts Store

I agree with you, but I did some "hose maintenance" on my 944 last year, I think I spent over $100 on hoses alone. There's a lot of stupid little hoses that are like 90 degree elbows with two different sized ends etc...

The most asinine is the old watercooled Volkswagens with the little oil to water cooler that sandwiches between the oil filter mount and the filter itself. IT's a great idea and it really works, but the whole thing tees into some other cooling system hoses, so you have two special molded hoses that have tees molded right into them. One of them is a real biatch to replace, too, and small enough that there's not enough space to use a brass or plastic tee and some universal hose should you get stuck on the road.

For some reason, manufacturers and especially German ones seem to have this aversion to using straight lengths of hose in standard sizes like

3/4" or 5/8" - I do not know why this is.

nate

Reply to
Nate Nagel

In addition to the fluids and filters, there are two new services available. The Motorvac Carbon Clean injector cleaning service (Cleaning agent is fed right into the plenum) which worked wonders for my 140,000 mile Buick Regal and an Induction Cleaning service (not really too sure about the specifics of this one).

Reply to
Ken

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