63K mile grandma car

[Al]

quote:

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Originally posted by cousincletus:
I think 1994 used an aluminum intake manifold, so shouldn't have to worry about leaks.

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I can guarantee you that this year engine is a leaker.

Pat..I can almost guarantee you that your engine is leaking antifreeze. Its almost impossible for it not to be leaking.

Go to blackstone.com and take a sample-immediately. Its a $650 to $750 fix.

 

[MN Driver]

Yeah, Maxlife wouldn't be bad idea. I've run Havoline in my 3.4L(same engine family) and things were quieter with it than Mobil 1 or Amsoil. Chevron Supreme is supposed to be the same oil rebottled and sold at Kragen and Checker Auto stores with a coupon and mail-in rebate for under a dollar a quart if you don't mind that route($1.09 with just the coupon) if you have one of those in your area. I'm looking forward to seeing those spark plugs, I'll have to post some 104k mile plugs from a 3.4L as soon as the owner of the vehicle decides to change them, the owner doesn't think it's necessary because 'it runs fine with these plugs, plugs don't need to be changed without a performance problem or misfire'. I'd hate to get a blinking engine light on a long trip and have a dead cylinder but not everybody agrees with that.

 

[Pat M.]

Ok...so the pics arn't awesome but they'll do.


Long story short:

- All had oil in the threads

- All had white stuff in a thin coat on the ground

- All looked very worn

- Lots of Carbon all around

- Looked to be original plugs to me atleast I really hope so...lol


They are all Bosch Super R6 868


Cylinder 1 - http://img143.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1002349ep9.jpg

Cylinder 2 -

Cylinder 3 -

Cylinder 4 -

Cylinder 5 -

Cylinder 6 -


P.S. - Is it weird that I went on Imageshack and K&N filter ad was on there, are they reading my cookies

Edit - Ok well imageshake won't let me upload them but i wrote this before I tried so i'll just edit in the pics later

[ July 18, 2006, 12:15 AM: Message edited by: Pat M. ]

 

[Pat M.]

Ok apparently there is a limit to when you can go back and edit so here they are...


Cylinder 1 - http://img143.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1002349ep9.jpg

Cylinder 2 - http://img116.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1002350pv9.jpg

Cylinder 3 - http://img58.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1002347lb0.jpg

Cylinder 4 - http://img436.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1002340js6.jpg

Cylinder 5 - http://img125.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1002344zd4.jpg

Cylinder 6 - http://img436.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1002341ft1.jpg


I'm thinking i'll change the fuel filter one of these days...I think i've found a new hobby

.

Spring semester i'm definatly going to look into an intro to car matainance course at school...wish I had a car in high school (free).

 

[Matt_S]

The oil in the threads is probably from a leaking valve cover gasket. Also, GM would not have put a Bosch plug as OE. They would be branded AC Delco. Still, it was a good idea to change them.

 

[i]

Agree oil on threads probably leaky valve cover gasket, I'd probably just let it leak because i'm getting lazy in old age. Terrible pictures, but the plugs look fine from what i can see. That 3 liter buick v6 was always a bit shaky at idle, as was the 3.8. I used to know what the fix for the problem was, but I can't remember any more, other than it really wasn't worth the trouble to me to do.

 

[Islandvic]

Buy a can of SeaFoam and SeaFoam DeepCreep Aerosol.

Deep Creep to clean the Throttle Body. Use a shop rag and toothbrush.

Use the half empty aerosol can to now de-carbonize your combustion chambers. After the engine is warmed up from driving, shoot the DeepCreep through the PCV hose when the engine is idling. You can also use fish tank clear tubing and have the PCV vac line suck it up out of the SF can instead.

Turn off engine quickly and let sit at least 10 minutes. Afterward, start the engine and rev the motor up. If it stubles, it's fine, just drive around the block untill the white smoke is gone.

Stick to Valvoline MaxLife conventional 10-30 in the 5qt jugs.

At least drain and refill your trans once with fresh DEX III ATF.

Clean your battery cables also.

 

[JohnBrowning]

1) Buy a bottle of Auto-Rx and follow the directions. Their is nothing quite like it. It is not solvent based, is gentle and will clean the ring pack area. Granies cars normaly have lots of carbon issues.
2)Replace the PCV valve.
3) Use Redline SI-1 fuel system cleaner. It is much better then Techron. I would run one bottle through the next three tanks of gas.
4)Replace plugs and wires

As far as you choice of plugs their is nothing wrong with Bosch Regular Platniums plugs. AC/Delco does not manufacture their own plugs. I have seen some AC/Delco plugs that had NGK rolled into the metal. AC/Delco has not made anything in a long long time they are just a "Brand Name" they outsource everything!!! Now I will say that I like NGK and Denso plugs as my first choice their is nothing wrong with AC/Delco plugs.

Seeing how you are useing the non-platnium bosch I see no problem at all.The regular copper Bosch plugs are a real value. Now I have no idea if your car came with platnium plugs or not. Seeing how I have never ran anything other then what came in the vechile in terms of materials not brand I do not know if useing a copper plug were a platnium is called for would make a difference?

 

[TX Oil Man]

quote:

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Originally posted by Pat M.:
1994 Buick Century 3.1L V6
63K miles
One owner, old lady

[SNIP]

So I have a few questions:


A.) I'm about 1/4 way through my 1st tank of gas and I put Chevron Techron in it, it idles pretty rough, should I do another run or maybe try redline? Also I had to get the EGR Valve serviced the day I got it, should I check the PCV Valve?

B.) My Mech changed the oil with 3rd party 5W-20, can I honestly help myself out by maybe changing my oil over to maxlife or M1 clean?

C.) Any car care tips you can give to extend the life of my car (looking for about 30K out of it)


Thanks again.

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A) You might run 3 full tanks of Shell Premium through the car. Be sure to speed a little bit when you safely can. This will help remove carbon deposits and clean out the fuel system. If it's a 65 MPH speed zone and it is safe and you know there are no cops around, speed up to 85 MPH and run it for about 30 seconds then slow down to 65 MPH then repeat a few more times.

B) I wouldn't recommend running 5W-20 in a car that more than likely requires 5W-30 or maybe even 10W-30. Most people run 5W-30 all year if it is a good oil like Mobil 1 or Mobil 1 Extended Performance. In fact, Mobil 1 5W-30 is thicker at temperature than their 10W-30 yet is lighter when it is cold outside.

C) Do the basic stuff like change the transmission fluid every 50K at the most, keep the tires aired up, and keep the vehicle clean both inside and out.

 

[Pat M.]

I'm planning a trip to Washington DC very soon (From Rochester which is ~400mi) Before then I'll run a bottle of Redline definatly. I think i'm going to shy from ARX at the moment...worried about making bad seals worst.

The tranny fluid worries me sortof because it's nice colored liquid but when you scrap the stick there is a black...carbon I guess you'd call it. I'm thinking about just dropping the pan and changing the filter + doing a partial change.

Finally i'm going to change the fuel filter just for something to do .


PM I've done:

-Plugs and wires

-PCV

-Techron

-Recharge AC (less compressor = more power)


What I will do:

-Battery Terminals

-Trans fluid perhaps

-Fuel Filter


Thanks guys.

 

[dwendt44]

If you don't know the history of the transmission, changing the filter is almost a must do.
If it has the heavy black gasket, it's porbably the factory gasket and can be re-used if your careful; but make sure the filter you get has a gasket, JIC.

 

[Pat M.]

Hey guys. I marked the level on the af reserve and everything seems fine. That being said I still figure i'll run some of the seal tabs for insurance. Are bar's stop leak tabs the same thing?


Also I've been eyeing my oil levels and it's still "full" so i'm guessing no huge leak (660mi so far since change) I'll update again at 1500k. I have definatly noticed the oil is darker already and I can smell a slight oil burning smell from the exhast...recommendations? I'm picking up the free maxlife as soon as my amex card billing period switches .


Edit - Oh yea, and I got a bottle of Red Line Fuel Cleaner, couldn't help myself.