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G20ooh, thanks for all your work and input. You wrote: >
Did you mean the 8th digit should be blank? On this car, the 8th digit of the VIN is "K", so I guess it may come under this TSB. Or did I misread your info? No , thats it sorta - I goofed and left out the eighth digit VIN CODE 'letter' for a Series III - which I will try and fix shortly . If its a 'K' Its NOT A Series III - as expected.
If this has already been done by any GM dealer, this dealer should be able to tell me, am I correct? Yep to probably to maybe not. Two different ways - records and/or physical inspection . 'Blue streak' (in the gasket surfaces 'showing') OEM vs. 'Red streak' OEM REPLACEMENT I think - or in reverse or something like that .
I don;t mind spending a bit at the outset, but I'd think this update kit should be warranty/recall territory. If it hasn't been done, I think I'll insist they do it. I wouldn't necc. do that - see below .
Hello Benzadmiral ,
My apologies for a very late reply . Not long after I posted last , 'things' in several locations started snowballing the wrong way and I've been 'off bitog' until now .
So in no particular order ;
1.) Yes , 'total avoidance' means a Series III ( RPO CODE = L26 - VIN CODE TO FOLLOW - in the meantime NON 'K'/2004(+) production - no blank possible ) .
This Series production really got going more in 2005 MYR outside of the 2004 Grand Prix , Lucerne , and the La Crosse ( which started in M.YR? and or CAL.YR? 2004) .
2.) And also yes , since this 2003 PA has an eighth digit = to 'K' its a relatively late production (although not the very last version) Series II - which some of the TSBs posted earlier do cover as you have recognized .
3.) Just an opinion really , but while this means a 'higher risk' of 'something happening' (including just a TB gasket as per the TSB ) its still much , much better than 1995 - 2000/2001 production .( Which is also misunderstood ) .
I have to post short for now - this PA is 'sounding good' and I personally wouldn't worry about the 'gasket situation' (too many reasons to list)
esp. if you have a warranty coverage of an adequate type here .
Descriptively , the breadth , width , and height of this 'problem area' in regards to a 2003 PA is typically overestimated ( both in terms of rate and 'type') , the cost of the worst case scenario can be handled fairly and correctly for 400 - 550 .00 $ and is a one shot deal - which compares very favorably to any other number of engine choices and the money it takes to keep them running when repair
and maintenance are totalled together . If you add in fuel economy its typically even more compelling for the 3.8L .
4.) BA , just thinking aloud here in regards to all service requirements .... time as well as mileage..... are there any records here ? . Since this is at the original selling Dealer I wonder if they did all or part of the servicing on it ?
Although its not clear if its been required in terms of mileage or time , ( 5 Year / 150K miles ) it would be of interest to see if the coolant had been changed out - ontime or early . Either is good if done right .
If indicated by inspection (physical) or service records as 'needed now' or 'close to time due' ( to 'start the clock' look at the build date sticker -
not the date in service - its probably 'somewhere' between July 2002/July 2003 ) - this is what I would explore having the Dealer 'do', if indicated - and if it can be 'done' with distilled H2O - not a preemptive gasket change out that you may never need and will ultimately end up paying for one way or another , -
unless it ends up needing done under warranty later . ( Think about it - we aren't talking fraud here - just common sense . )
( Come to think of it , it might be worth ( depending ) 'using this concept' for the rest of the 5 Year service list as well ) .
One other thing . Interest rates must be higher on a 2003 than say , a 2006 . I would be looking at that expense as you evaluate your options .
