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2005 Grand Prix GT 100,000 mile tune up

M

mrockteacher

New member
Hello everyone, long time Pontiac owner, first time poster.

I have 97,000 miles on my '05 Grand Prix GT 3800 and have not done any engine maintenance other than oil changes every 5,000 miles using Valvoline and I put in fuel injector cleaner every oil change. I have not had a single problem with the engine (replaced 2 speed sensors in wheels but thats all that has gone wrong on the vehicle).

As I approach the 100,000 mile mark, what do you recommend I do for maintenance? Naturally I would like to go thru and replace everything the manual calls for but I have a couple hundred dollar limit? How can this be best spent to get me another 100,000 miles?

Thanks to all that provide input!!

Mark
 


For wires go with delco wires off rockauto.com or some from your local auto store that have a warranty with them. Should only cost 25-40 bucks either way.

Plugs, either go with stock replacements or to save money and go with the same thing but different brand grab some autolite 606 plats. I'd go the autolite route.

And take your thottle body off the clean that thing like nobodys business.
 
Thanks for the quick replies. I should note that I have a K&N air filter in that I clean a few times a year and will replace soon.

And to the suspension suggestion. I wish I could afford it, this is the roughest riding car I have ever had...
 
also if you have not done anything to the transmisson yet..........dont get a flush from a shop. Do it yourself. Buy a filter and 8 quarts of trans fluid and change it yourself, its very easy.

Remove the trans pan slowly (like 15 bolts total) and let it all seep out into a pan, once its all done, remove pan and replace filter and bolt pan ( re-use the original pan gasket if you can) back up, and just make the bolts TIGHT, but not too tight cuz they make break, so very snug is good enough.

Then add fluid back in ( add like 6-7 bottles first, then start car) and with the car running and up to temp, check the fluid level and add as needed.
 


Thanks, I have never done anything with the transmission fluid. I was a little leery because I am getting some slippage, mostly when shifting from reverse to drive. Not all the time, just occasionaly.

I have replaced the transmission fluid on other vehicles I have owned so its something I can handle.

Is plug replacement something a novice like me can do? I cant see the back ones. I have heard that you have to rock the engine forward to get to them? If that is the case then I would not attempt.
 
mrockteacher said:
Thanks, I have never done anything with the transmission fluid. I was a little leery because I am getting some slippage, mostly when shifting from reverse to drive. Not all the time, just occasionaly.

I have replaced the transmission fluid on other vehicles I have owned so its something I can handle.

Is plug replacement something a novice like me can do? I cant see the back ones. I have heard that you have to rock the engine forward to get to them? If that is the case then I would not attempt.
Click to expand...

I changed my plugs (skipped the wire change as mine are still in great shape) and it took maybe an hour. NO engine forward routine at all. Just feel back there for them and you'll get them. The hardest plug to get to was the back one on the far left as you're looking at the car. That one alone took me 20 minutes. The others were a piece of cake.

I have yet to do a fluid change on my transmission but am experiencing the exact thing you described and need to do a filter and fluid change very soon.
 
Yea plugs are simple.

How big are your arms????

All you gotta do is be able to reach the back ones. I have skinny arms to I can reach them no problem.

BUt other wise, yeah, just pull the spark plug boot off and remove the old plug and put anti-sieze on the threads of the new spark plug and re-install.

If you cant reach the back ones very well, just remove the 2 top motor mounts and grab a ratchet strap and hook onto the alt bracket or the motor pull mount in the rear and just ratchet it forward, its simple.
 
I would not consider my arms "skinny" and I was able to get back there no problem so it'd take quite a bit for your arm to be too big for the job :D The one plug I mentioned, however, does take considerable patience and concentration ;)
 
thanks for all the replies! I will take a look and see if I can get to the rear plugs, I would love to be able to myself.

Will the stock replacement plugs get me another 100k?
 


Sure thats what the manual says, but if you take the spark plug out at 50k miles it aint gunna look new and its gunna have age to it.

I'd just change them faster to know that they are somewhat fresh. Everyone has a different opinion on this tho.
 
I took a look at the back of my engine for the plugs and it didnt look friendly. It looked like there was a heat sheld of some sort blocking my way? Wires look next to impossible to replace. I am sure I could rip them out but getting them back in the right spot looks difficult.
 


over the spark plug boot is like a small metal shield. That will come off with the spark plug wire when you pull it off.

Yes its tight back there, but use your sense of feel and work your way through it. It not that bad to do.
 
Fivefingerdeathpunch said:
over the spark plug boot is like a small metal shield. That will come off with the spark plug wire when you pull it off.

Yes its tight back there, but use your sense of feel and work your way through it. It not that bad to do.
Click to expand...
x2....It's really not bad at all. Just use your sense of feel and touch and you'll be alright. Just concentrate and it's not really that bad....
 
Fivefingerdeathpunch said:
Sure thats what the manual says, but if you take the spark plug out at 50k miles it aint gunna look new and its gunna have age to it.

I'd just change them faster to know that they are somewhat fresh. Everyone has a different opinion on this tho.
Click to expand...
I hear ya....to each their own and it obviously doesn't hurt to change them sooner.....
 
I didnt see anything about brake pads...Stopping is good sometimes. And also, make sure to check your power steering fluid level. Its in a PITA spot so people tend to forget about it. Its on the firewall side of your engine, below the alternator.
 
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