Thread: Rehabbing 2000 Regal GS, 250,000 miles

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  1. #1 Rehabbing 2000 Regal GS, 250,000 miles 
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    I'm helping my folks out and trying to rehab their car. It's in decent shape for it's age and miles, but does need attention.

    I finally spent some time behind the wheel this weekend and these are the issues I've found.

    1) This one moved to the top of the list as it started yesterday. P0303 code on highway under load (going up hill) Plugs are really old as are wires, over 100K on them I'd imagine so I'll replace those first and see if it fixes the issue. If not, any advice on how to proceed is appreciated as that back 3 plug replacement looks like a little nightmare.

    2) Fluids. I'll change them all but I may need to hold off on the transmission pan as it has no drain bolt. I HATE that.

    3) PCV Valve - Changed yesterday

    4) Fuel filter - will be changed tomorrow

    5) Does have an oil leak. Not sure from where but it's about a half a quart a month.

    6) Trans does have a leak. Not sure from where.

    8) Does leak coolant but a check of the oil doesn't show any coolant or indicate a head gasket leak. It doesn't overheat.

    9) The AC will stop blowing cool air on the highway. I noticed that under load yesterday when I was getting the CEL and stuttering that the AC wasn't cold. As soon as I got off the highway and was driving in town, the AC would blow cold.

    10) Drivers side, both windows are being held up by duct tape as what I assume are the window regulators are shot. Will need to replace those.

    11) Need to change the super charger oil.

    If thats all done and it's running well, then I'll tint the windows. lol

    If any of you have any insight on how best to proceed with any or all of these issues, or if there is something I'm missing, your assistance is appreciated. Thank you.
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  2. #2 Re: Rehabbing 2000 Regal GS, 250,000 miles 
    Turbo is the way to go. Fivefingerdeathpunch's Avatar
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    Degrease everything with a quality cleaner to get all the oil and gunk off the engine and underside of the car. That is the fastest way to figure out oil leaks.

    Oil pan gasket, valve covers and the front cover are very popular leaking points. Coolant could be the LIM gaskets or the coolant elbows. The LIM gaskets will show pooled up coolant in the valley holes by the fuel injectors next to the supercharger.


    If the pan gasket on the transmission is not actually leaking and it's just the oil film making it look like a leak you can just suck the fluid out the dipstick tube and drop new fluid back in.

    Spark plugs are easier if you don't have massive arms. Crawl on top of the engine or reach around the side past the alternator. Or just take the alternator off as it's only 3 bolts to give way more room to reach back there.

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  4. #3 Re: Rehabbing 2000 Regal GS, 250,000 miles 
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    Quote Originally Posted by Fivefingerdeathpunch View Post
    Degrease everything with a quality cleaner to get all the oil and gunk off the engine and underside of the car. That is the fastest way to figure out oil leaks.

    Oil pan gasket, valve covers and the front cover are very popular leaking points. Coolant could be the LIM gaskets or the coolant elbows. The LIM gaskets will show pooled up coolant in the valley holes by the fuel injectors next to the supercharger.


    If the pan gasket on the transmission is not actually leaking and it's just the oil film making it look like a leak you can just suck the fluid out the dipstick tube and drop new fluid back in.

    Spark plugs are easier if you don't have massive arms. Crawl on top of the engine or reach around the side past the alternator. Or just take the alternator off as it's only 3 bolts to give way more room to reach back there.
    Thanks for your reply, thats some good feedback. I don't have massive arms but there're not long either so unless I need skinny AND long arms, I'll try it that way.

    When you say "suck the fluid out of the dipstick", how are you accomplishing that?

    Thanks for clarifying where leaks will be found depending on what they are, I'll be able to look more specifically now.
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  5. #4 Re: Rehabbing 2000 Regal GS, 250,000 miles 
    Turbo is the way to go. Fivefingerdeathpunch's Avatar
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    A fluid suction pump with a long enough hose. Napa or some auto parts stores have them.






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  7. #5 Re: Rehabbing 2000 Regal GS, 250,000 miles 
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    Right on, thanks!
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  8. #6 Re: Rehabbing 2000 Regal GS, 250,000 miles 
    GTX Level Member cheatah faheatah's Avatar
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    Window regulators are easy & cheap off of Ebay (especially if you buy pairs). Pop off door panels and a plug, then only a handful of bolts. You-tube will show ya how. Just my $0.02.
    For the record : I am NOT a naked meth-head who shoves rocks up my butt.
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  9. #7 Re: Rehabbing 2000 Regal GS, 250,000 miles 
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    Quote Originally Posted by cheatah faheatah View Post
    Window regulators are easy & cheap off of Ebay (especially if you buy pairs). Pop off door panels and a plug, then only a handful of bolts. You-tube will show ya how. Just my $0.02.
    I was surprised at how cheap they were compared to the foreign cars I've worked on in the past. Less than half! I have found some youtube videos and I live and die by youtube on car repairs. lol Thank you for your reply.
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  10. #8 Re: Rehabbing 2000 Regal GS, 250,000 miles 
    Turbo is the way to go. BillBoost37's Avatar
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    Trans fluid is cake if you either pull it up or hit walmart in the storage area and get an 18x24 or so plastic tote about 4-6' high. I would automatically do a pan drop and swap out the filter. If the gasket appears to have metal inside it.. clean it and reuse it. Factory gasket is a lifetime gasket as long as it's not damaged, and it's tough to damage it.

    Rear three plugs.. a knife can help get the wires off, as can a prybar etc. I have gone as far as using a hammer to break the plugs, but you risk part of the inside falling into a cylinder.

    Personally.. when my dad got a car that had sat for 7 years w/o being started. I dropped a battery in and it ran. Then I did valve cover gaskets (make sure you do grommets too), intake gaskets, elbows, and then if it's still leaking do the oil pan gasket but rtv both sides of the new gasket.

    ps.. likely the ac was turned off by pcm once it saw the misfire.
    I drink..so consider that when reading my posts.

    2010 Audi A6 Dual IC's
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  11. #9 Re: Rehabbing 2000 Regal GS, 250,000 miles 
    Turbo is the way to go. BillBoost37's Avatar
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    And while it's apart, clean TB...they usually need to be done.
    I drink..so consider that when reading my posts.

    2010 Audi A6 Dual IC's
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  12. #10 Re: Rehabbing 2000 Regal GS, 250,000 miles 
    GTP Level Member buck531's Avatar
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    I have a Drivers side front window regulator in the shed if you're interested. I think I sold the other 3 for $35 shipped. Send me a PM if interested.
    03 GS - SSAC, AEM wb, PT,SR rockers, Gen 3, 3.4, dynotech trans w/ 3.29's.

    87 Fiero GT. L67 Swap. XP, ported heads/sc. N* TB, FSIC, 2.8, 12.018 @ 113 1.71 60'.
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  13. #11 Re: Rehabbing 2000 Regal GS, 250,000 miles 
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    Quote Originally Posted by buck531 View Post
    I have a Drivers side front window regulator in the shed if you're interested. I think I sold the other 3 for $35 shipped. Send me a PM if interested.
    I appreciate that offer but I already y purchased them online and they should arrive today.
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  14. #12 Re: Rehabbing 2000 Regal GS, 250,000 miles 
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    Quote Originally Posted by BillBoost37 View Post
    And while it's apart, clean TB...they usually need to be done.
    I took the air filter housing out and noticed that mesh screen in front of the throttle body entrance. Does that come off? I didn't mess with it very long at the time, but I would like to see inside and clean in further if possible. Thank you.
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  15. #13 Re: Rehabbing 2000 Regal GS, 250,000 miles 
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    Quote Originally Posted by BillBoost37 View Post
    Trans fluid is cake if you either pull it up or hit walmart in the storage area and get an 18x24 or so plastic tote about 4-6' high. I would automatically do a pan drop and swap out the filter. If the gasket appears to have metal inside it.. clean it and reuse it. Factory gasket is a lifetime gasket as long as it's not damaged, and it's tough to damage it.

    Rear three plugs.. a knife can help get the wires off, as can a prybar etc. I have gone as far as using a hammer to break the plugs, but you risk part of the inside falling into a cylinder.

    Personally.. when my dad got a car that had sat for 7 years w/o being started. I dropped a battery in and it ran. Then I did valve cover gaskets (make sure you do grommets too), intake gaskets, elbows, and then if it's still leaking do the oil pan gasket but rtv both sides of the new gasket.

    ps.. likely the ac was turned off by pcm once it saw the misfire.
    Good to know about the AC turning off when the CEL came on. I thought I had yet another thing to deal with and having no AC in the summer was gonna suck. lol

    Is the trans gasket a rubber gasket or a fiber type? Thank you for your advice.
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  16. #14 Re: Rehabbing 2000 Regal GS, 250,000 miles 
    GTX Level Member cheatah faheatah's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by tlhfirelion View Post
    I took the air filter housing out and noticed that mesh screen in front of the throttle body entrance. Does that come off? I didn't mess with it very long at the time, but I would like to see inside and clean in further if possible. Thank you.
    That would be your MAF sensor. Mass Air Flow. Remove it and ONLY clean it with MAF cleaner in a spray can ( I use CRC brand ). NO rags or toothbrushes, it's a very sensitive instrument. Next after that will be the throttle body itself. It needs to be unplugged and unbolted so you can clean it in a bench. Rags and toothbrushes are allowed if not encouraged. Use Throttle Body Cleaner in a spray can ( CRC ) and keep working at the gunk in there. Mine look like burnt maple syrup. Spray/scrub/spray/scrub. Also do some more research because on some TB's you can't rotate the throttle plate because it's drive by wire, unless you disconnect something else ? Not sure how.
    For the record : I am NOT a naked meth-head who shoves rocks up my butt.
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  17. #15 Re: Rehabbing 2000 Regal GS, 250,000 miles 
    Killa Bee Scottydoggs's Avatar
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    thats just a screen, theres a snap ring around the outer edge. remove that and the screen comes right off.

    you really need to take the tb off the engine to clean it properly, all the carbon is on the other side, take the screen off all's gonna look clean. the other side is black with carbon.

    98 Buick Regal GS, F body brakes, Caddy STS wheels, tinted tails L36 bottom end, lightly ported heads, 1.95 roller rockers, headers, gen 5 N* 3.0 pulley, FSIC, 42 lb injectors, a BrandonHall rebuilt trans, DHP tuned and AEM water/Meth injection https://goo.gl/gpV5kW
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  18. #16 Re: Rehabbing 2000 Regal GS, 250,000 miles 
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    Is it that difficult to take the throttle body off? I'm seeing a lot of wires and metal lines all over the top. Don't want to get in over my head here. lol
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  19. #17 Re: Rehabbing 2000 Regal GS, 250,000 miles 
    Killa Bee Scottydoggs's Avatar
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    unplug the plugs, un do the cables and its 3 nuts and in your hand it is.

    98 Buick Regal GS, F body brakes, Caddy STS wheels, tinted tails L36 bottom end, lightly ported heads, 1.95 roller rockers, headers, gen 5 N* 3.0 pulley, FSIC, 42 lb injectors, a BrandonHall rebuilt trans, DHP tuned and AEM water/Meth injection https://goo.gl/gpV5kW
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  20. #18 Re: Rehabbing 2000 Regal GS, 250,000 miles 
    GTX Level Member cheatah faheatah's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by tlhfirelion View Post
    Is it that difficult to take the throttle body off? I'm seeing a lot of wires and metal lines all over the top. Don't want to get in over my head here. lol
    Mine has a passage for coolant flow. Not much comes out when removing TB. I reused the gasket, too.
    For the record : I am NOT a naked meth-head who shoves rocks up my butt.
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  21. #19 Re: Rehabbing 2000 Regal GS, 250,000 miles 
    Turbo is the way to go. BillBoost37's Avatar
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    TB is three 10mm bolts and maybe one 8mm bolt. Plan on doing the gasket and a little coolant may leak out. Give it a good cleaning with a toothbrush and tb cleaner. don't mess with the screen, more people beat it up before they get it out. It's a snug fit.

    figure out the misfire and I bet the ac is fine.
    I drink..so consider that when reading my posts.

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  22. #20 Re: Rehabbing 2000 Regal GS, 250,000 miles 
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    Well, new plugs, wires, fuel filter and it’s running really smooth. However, as luck would have it, I think the ignition cylinder lock is broke. I turned it off after a test drive the other day and the key would t turn back all the way, but the key would come out. It’s as if the key was in it and I could start the car but the key wasn’t in it. So now the battery is dead. I found the part at Oreillys but the guy there tells me I have to take the keys to the dealer to get them programmed. Well, I called the closest dealer and he told me I don’t. It seems pretty straight forward to change the part out but I’m unsure about the programming and what not so I’m kinda stuck. Any advice on that is greatly appreciated.
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