160k Mile Maintenance

[BmoreDrew]

My 99 GT is about to come up on 160k miles.

Recently replaced:
Shocks/Struts
Plugs/Wires
Pads all around
Thermostat

I know historically they can have transmission issues around this mileage, what kind of preventative maintenance can I perform to head this off at the pass?

Thanks,
Drew

[BmoreDrew]

Also, my rear view mirror took a dump and now doesn't dim and just kinda has some oil or whatever floating in it.. very weird, but, does anyone know where I can get a new one or what I can pull one from?

I pulled one from a bonneville (I think) once and it didn't fit.

[postalc38]

Drop the transmission pan and change the filter. If your willing to do it yourself Autozone has the transmission filter & gasket for about $15, then you'll need more transmission fluid too....I believe the total capacity on the 4T65-E transmission is about 7 quarts, but I could be wrong......You'd probably be safe buying about 5 quarts of transmission fluid that is atleast Dexron III if not Dexron VI approved.

Or you should be able to find some kind of maintenance shop that will do it for around/less then $100. Stealership - Not exactly sure but i'm guessing more.

You could also do a flush.....But many people recommend against it...If you consistently replace the filter around every 50K miles you should never really need a flush.

I work at a maintenance shop, so right after I bought my '00 I went to Autozone and bought the trans filter, then went to work and paid $20 off a flush and got both done for less then $85. My garage is far too small and cold in January to deal with it...

[unt0uchable]

I'm also getting to this point soon. I plan to do the trans filter/fluid and the shift kit to rid my trans of the hard shift. I also need brakes all the way around and I plan to do struts and bearings. Also, if you have an oil smell while idling or driving on high grades you might want to consider changing out your valve cover gaskets. These are just things I am considering. I will be watching this thread to see what others say as well...

EDIT: I'm also going to be doing a coolant flush/fill and I'll probably stick a t-stat in there while I'm messing with the coolant.

[matt5112]

man i can't even get the stuff to do the pan drop myself for less than $100

Synthetic Dex III is better for your transmission than dex VI.

Dry it takes 10 quarts IIRC so 7 is what you'll probably get out of a pan drop.

[MrTube]

Since the wife's vue has a Honda engine and trans I have become very familiar with changing ATF.


The Honda trans has a drain plug which is nice. However the filter is a nitemare to get to from what I've heard so most people don't mess with it. The GM trans doesn't have a drain plug but the filter is easy to get to. I guess you can't win.

It typically takes 3 drain and refills to get something like 90% of the fluid changed because of what is held in the converter.


On the Honda trans I change the fluid 3 times every 15K miles or so. It costs around $100 for fluid alone.
On my GP with the 4T65E I'll probably do it at 60-100K. At 30K my ATF in the GP looks beautiful. At 30K on the Honda the ATF was black.

[matt5112]

wtf?

parents acura has over 200K miles, still red, not burnt, and its factory fluid.

[MrTube]

What engine is in it Matt? J35 3.5 with 5spd auto? Or a 4 cyl.

The vue is an 06 J35. 04-07 years all act the same.

The 4cyl transmissions seem to be bullet proof.

Perhaps your parents have a newer model if its a V6?

[carjunky102]

An easy way to do a transmission fluid change is to disconnect one of your transmission cooler lines, then start the vehicle to pump the fluid. This will pump your fluid out and will not harm your transmission since you're not in gear. Then after it is done pumping, drop your pan(there should still be some fluid in the pan) and changer your filter. Put everything back together and fill it up. This is the closest you will get to a transmission flush while doing it at home.

[matt5112]

C35A IIRC....

Old school V6.

SOHC.

Want to have headers fabb'd up... I think it'd be quite the fun car considering its FWD and has equal length driveshafts.

Already convinced them to have an intake of sorts....

lemme check

yup, C35A. Made no power: 215 HP, 225 ft lbs.

[MrTube]

Yea thats older.

the J35 producing 250-290HP and its 5spd auto is what likes to cook fluid.

I will admit though, the transmissions seem to be holding up. I know a few people with over 100K on them.

I don't see them making 150-200K though honestly.

[matt5112]

Hmm, i'm disappointed.

especially considering the 4t65e is supposed to be a fail.

[MrTube]

Who ever told you the 4T65E was a fail?

[BmoreDrew]

Filter (and gasket too I assume-can't remember) was done at 100k.

I need to flush my coolant, fix rear view mirror, get my drivers seat re-padded, and get my spoiler and rear bumper re-sprayed. They are kind of matte looking at this point. I'm not really sure how that has happened, they have been waxed, clayed, etc just the same with the rest of the car.

Otherwise, as I quickly approach 170k (164 as of this morning, I thought it was less!), I went over what's been done to the car and when and realized that other than above mentioned, car is pretty much new.

[mhoran89]

i had the same problem with my mirror around 2 or 3 months ago and the dealer wants $300 for a new one installed. im trying to find a used one lol.

Also, my rear view mirror took a dump and now doesn't dim and just kinda has some oil or whatever floating in it.. very weird, but, does anyone know where I can get a new one or what I can pull one from?

I pulled one from a bonneville (I think) once and it didn't fit.