Mobil1 5w-30 2002 Pontiac Grand Am GM 3.4L

[haley10]

GM dealers do have the seal tabs. That's what they call them here. Pills, whatever. In fact, they are required on some models when the coolant is changed. My 3800 Recall notice required the "pills" as part of minimizing the potential coolant leak problem.

You obviously didn't talk to a real GM service tech. Jason gave you part #'s, but it's so common, the parts department will automatically know.

 

[Terry]

"Terry with as much as you know about engines/oil, why on earth would you buy that particular car? How about a Rav4/CRV/Pilot/Escape?"

Note "she" wants it ! I live ALONE with 4 women and its not easy being a guy here. I always enjoy flying and business expeditions/travel to male bond !!

RAV/CRV/Escape = not enough seats.

Pilot= POOR economy and high initial cost although built like a tank.

My wife is not a tribologist, nor does she give a flip about oil analysis !!!

We do need 6 passenger room thus that car keeps coming up on her list of wants.

Had a 99 CRV that I lent to a struggling single mom at church and her daughter rolled and totalled it.

We haul kids/teens to and from church functions and I need the room to strap them all safely in.

I am severely averse to purchasing new cars any longer.

I like the idea of the Sprinter but the little former stock car driver I married does not.

The Ford diesel vans were a thought too but I can't find any.

 

[MN Driver]

Thank you Jason, they shouldn't have any problem getting me something with a part number. I've heard bad things like clogging might happen with leak stop products, I really don't want to have any problems with this, are these tabs safe? Would I use all of them in the pack?

 

[ToyotaNSaturn]

Terry, has she considered the Saturn Vue with the Honda 3.5L V6? To me, it's a steal for 24-25K. Do get the MP3 option in the radio, leather seats and skip the roof rack, it just adds wind noise.

The Chevy "twin" to this, the Equinox, has the dreaded GM V6 in it whereas the Vue is pleasantly fun to drive!

 

[The Critic]

Terry: Consider getting a minivan. The new Sienna seats 7 quite easily and gets about 20MPG in the city. I regularly (at least once every 6 weeks) see many local dealers here in Sacramento advertise 2005 Toyota Sienna LE minivans for $21K+ TAX. Although they don’t have power sliding doors, rear disk brakes, or side airbags, they DO have ABS, power windows/locks, Dual A/C systems, and CD Player.

ToyotanSaturn: I can’t believe that you still recommend Saturns! The new ones don’t have significantly improved build quality compared to the older ones, their interior materials, build quality, and workmanship is still sub-standard. For $24+TAX, Terry can get a Honda Pilot LX AWD.

Michael

 

[ToyotaNSaturn]

Mike,
I own a Vue with the V6...nice ride! The interior materials are above average. Forget what the trade mag's say, it's a LOT easier to clean the doors from kid "use" in this thing than a standard velour or fabric-material door panel. Those mag's can complain all they want, but my kids won't be able to destroy those door panels anytime soon.

Consumer Reports blends in the 4cyl Vue model with the infamous cr@ppy CVT trans with it's reporting so the consumer never sees the difference between the 6cyl & 4cyl models.

I wouldn't purchase an L series or pay $19K for an Ion, but for $12K or less, a base Ion is a steal IMO, especially with the discounts in place now.

 

[haley10]

Terry, even if reliable, most reviews haven't been real favorable due to the lack of power the 3.4L has in this vehicle. Fully loaded, she might not be pleased with the lack of performance.

 

[TooSlick]

Saving YOUR tax dollars, but fitting four overfed rocket scientists and their laptops/luggage in one little car - and telling them to drive 400 miles to Southern Mississippi @ 55 mph!

That last part is a non-starter, as you might expect...

I always volunteer to drive, for obvious reasons!

Ted

 

[TooSlick]

Q:

What's the difference between a woman and a radical Muslim Insurgent?

A:

Well, if you're willing to really study the Koran, you'd have a chance of REASONING with the insurgent...

LOL!

 

[The Critic]

Although that was the most random joke, it was a great one Ted!

Moderator: Please refrain from locking this thread!

Thanks,
Michael

 

[MN Driver]

quote:

---

Originally posted by TooSlick:
At this point you also have to assume you have some coolant induced, acidic sludge in the engine and that should be addressed ASAP. I'd recommend doing a flush with a pint of Lube Control (LC-20) once or twice and see if you can't dissolve most of this crud and get it to drain out. Even if the leak were fixed today, this acidic sludge will remain inside the engine and cause problems.

---

A pint, are you saying dump a pint in, idle 10 mins and dump? I'm thinking of getting a gallon of LC. Doing the 4oz. per quart(18 oz. for 4.5 quarts) Then after I dump and fill it, would putting the originally recommended(until mid-2004)2 oz. per quart initially and 3 oz. per quart each 1,000 miles after a good idea for the first 3,000 mile OCI(with Rotella 15w-40)? I know it's not recommended by LC anymore but it couldn't hurt, could it?

 

[The Critic]

MN Driver:
I suggest doing one Auto-RX treatment instead. It will work better than the LC flush.

Michael

 

[MN Driver]

The thing is there is no apparent sludge in there at all. In fact the last oil change has cleaned everything under the valve cover to a beautiful shiny new look, all of the deposits and staining are no longer evident at all! I don't think that ARX is necessary because I really don't think there is anything in there and I was going to use LC just in case there was and because I am under the impression it might help to neutralize any coolant still entering the crankcase. My last OCI the oil didn't even become darker until 1,000 miles or so and 2,000 miles other people have thought I just changed the oil, so I don't think there really is much to clean out of there.

I cut open the filter and I couldn't find even the slightest bit of sludge, dirt, or anything other then wet, oil-colored media.

...That's why I plan to use LC

 

[caprice_2nv]

The stopleak tablets do exist and I only became aware of them when I saw the recall on the 3800. It was either replacing or just tightening the intake manifold bolts (can't remember which). This problem is due to having a plastic intake manifold plenum. They're trying to save weight but they're compromising the long term durability of the intake gasket. The later 3800's are now an aluminum intake once again and apparently no more problems. People could save a lot of money if they all drove 20 year old rear wheel drive GM's with a 305 sbc that's been proven with nearly 50 years of production, cast iron block, heads and intake manifold. Can be overheated and drove with no coolant at temps over 260F for several miles and still no intake or head gasket coolant leaks.