1997-2005 3800 Maintenance List

**moddman** · 10-23-2012

Found this maintenance list another pontiac site...tweaked it some.

1997-2005 3800 Maintenance List

Run Seafoam, Chevron Techron or Gumout Regane through gasoline every 5,000 miles.

Grease: Ball Joints, Tie Rods Every 8-10k( Green Grease or Amsoil Grease recommended)
Air FilterEvery 15k(Amsoil EaA, Purolator PureONE)
PCV Valve Every 30k
MAF Sensor Element Cleaning/TB CleaningEvery 50k
Fuel Filter Every 15-25k(Purolator, AC Delco, WIX)
Spark Plugs Every 30-50k(NGK TR55, AC Delco 41-101 or Autolite 605) (Never Bosch)
Ignition Wires Every 30-50k(Napa Belden, AC Delco, Autolite Pro, NGK) (Never Taylor or Bosch)
Oil & Filter Every 5-6k or Every 6 months(Valvoline SYNPower, Pennzoil Platinum, or Amsoil )(Mobil1, Purolator PureONE, Amsoil EaO, K&N or WIX) (Never Fram)
*Conventional Oil Every 3k/3 months(API SM/SN rating) (WIX (Napa), Delco or Purolator filter)
Tires: Check Inflation Pressure & Visually Inspect Monthly Rotate Every 6-8,000 Miles
Transmission Flush or Pan Drop Every 15-20k(Always make sure filter is changed when flushed)
Cooling System Flush Every 25-50k or 3-5 Years(Peak or Prestone Mixes-With-Any Coolant Only) (Never Dexcool)
Oxygen Sensor Every 80-100k(30k for non-heated)(AC Delco or Denso) (Absolutely never Bosch)
Accessory Belt Inspect every 15k, replace every 100k, or as needed
Cabin Air Filter Inspect and Replace every 15k, or as needed in dusty conditions. (Note: 00+ Only)
Evap Core Cleaning Whenever Needed (Note: 99 and older only)
Brake Fluid Flush 3yr/50k
Power Steering Fluid Replacement/Flush Every 100k or 5 years

*Special Considerations*
All Series II/III 3800's RPO's: L36, L26, L67 & L32, especially important on vehicles factory installed with orange Havoline Dexcool Antifreeze/Coolant:http://www.dex-cool.net/
Lower Intake Manifold Gasket Replacement, every 80-100k(ignorance of this can allow coolant to enter your engine oil, this happening can cause irreversible lower engine damage, requiring replacement of subject engine)

Series II, Naturally Aspirated, RPO:L36:
Upper Intake Manifold Plenum Replacement, Every 80-100k(ignorance of this can allow coolant to enter your intake manifold, possible damage to occur can be hydrolock, irreversible damage to emissions devices, misfires, etc. Most times, engine replacement is required if ignored long enough.)

Series I, II, III RPO Code L67 & L32:
Change Supercharger Oil; Every 30-50k. (Intense Racing or GM Dealer)
Supercharger Belt; Inspect Every 15k, Replace Every 100k or as needed.

**matt5112** · 10-23-2012

Prestone is dexcool. http://www.grandprixforums.net/cooli...ion-67584.html

PCV valves hardly go bad.

Tranny fluid lasts a LOT longer than 15-20 K.

Iridium spark plugs last upwards of 100 K, let alone 30-50

SC fluid is rated for 100K by magnuson, and life by GM and Ford.

Why does this not apply to all series II+ engines?

Running harsh cleaning chemicals through your fuel system probably isn't a good idea.

Running premium fuel and changing your fuel filter will keep it clean.

**Fivefingerdeathpunch** · 10-23-2012

Air filter can last well past 15k

**matt5112** · 10-23-2012

Originally Posted by Fivefingerdeathpunch

Air filter can last well past 15k

Simply pop it out and tap it dirty side down on a hard object. If you see dirt falling out, its probably time for a new one.

**BillBoost37** · 10-24-2012

I know where you got that and unfortunately the author was off base with the Dex Cool info. Dex does not harm the nylon gaskets. The sample size was literally two cars. I've seen a lot of series I cars that never saw Dex and the gaskets typically have the same issues as the Dex cars. I've also found a few Dex cars that had perfect gaskets.

L36 doesn't need the UIM replaced if the coolant ports are plugged.

**nos4blood70** · 10-24-2012

Well that looks familiar. ;D

**Impala131** · 10-25-2012

My 99' with Dex had nearly perfect gaskets at 230,000 miles. I only changed them as a preventative measure. Also, all of those intervals seem awfully short. These aren't Corvettes, you'll never see the benefits of service intervals that tight. Or, at least, you won't have any tangible proof.