How does a guy get a drink around here?

[Do Rag]

I'm doing a little tune up work for the grand-baby-daddy and thought a nice compliment to the mechanical would be some additional information resources. He's not a mechanic but he seems willing, and he's smart. What else does person really need?

I'm just a back yard mechanic but have been wrenching for years. I also used to own an 02 Grand AM GT with the 3400 so I'm a little familiar with his 04 Grand Prix with the 3800 V6. My main thing is Mazda's though. 1st Gen Mazda Protege's own me.

My car was killed by Dex-Cool so it's long gone now. When I traded it in, I had already changed the intake gaskets and was faced with also doing the back head gasket. Nightmare! Thankfully, GM sent me a check so I'm not too bitter about it. His uses Dex-Cool as well but seems to be doing fine. I say that because he's now at 78K~ and mined died at 54K. I'm not sure what the difference has been but I wish him luck.

On to the fun.
I'm going to give him a tune up today. The check engine light is coming on intermittently and he assures me that something is going on. I'm going to have the parts house pull the CEL codes to see what's happening there. Besides that, I'm going to
run some SeaFoam through the gas tanks,
Change the air/fuel filters
PCV valve, if I can find it
change the plugs and wires
and do the oil and filter.
I'm also going to do a thorough visual inspection to see if any of those gaskets are leaking. The Dex-Cool scourge is not lost on me.

I don't have a manual for this car so a heads up about timing belt changes or other pertinent information would sure be appreciated. On my 02, if I unhooked the battery, I ran the risk of locking out the radio. (or something like that) So yea, peace and thanks.

Jon.

[TheOtherNick]

timing chain should be done at like 100k. Dex cool is fine as long as you keep track of the electrolysis. The voltage between the coolant and a ground should always be less than .3v

[Do Rag]

timing chain should be done at like 100k. Dex cool is fine as long as you keep track of the electrolysis. The voltage between the coolant and a ground should always be less than .3v

Voltage between the coolant and ground?
I'm glad I asked. Now I just have to figure out what that means, and how to check it.

Thanks for your quick response.

[TheOtherNick]

Stick your multi meter lead into the coolant and one on too an engine ground IE block, batter neg, alt case. It is measuring the corrosiveness of the coolant. Higher voltage is bad.

[Do Rag]

Interesting.
I've never heard of this test. I have a volt meter so will make this test a part of my tune up.
Um, what do I do about high voltage levels?

[TheOtherNick]

Flush the coolant.

[Do Rag]

I've been documenting work logs for a while now so pics and write ups are not new for me. Is there any need for that here? If it's all old information and of no value, I'll just skip it and focus on the tune up.

I see it as kind of pay back for the help I get so no worries on this end.

[TheOtherNick]

Yeah you could do one, there are a lot of questions how to do it.

[Do Rag]

Anything in particular?

[TheOtherNick]

Not really, just document it well.

[Do Rag]

Okay, but no laughing. I'm sensitive. Lol, .
j/k

[Do Rag]

Need some information.
Gap specs for plugs,
Any specific instructions for changing plugs, like how to get to the rear ones
where is the fuel filter.
?
Thanks

[matt5112]

.060"

3/8th's ratchet, 5/8" spark plug socket, 3" extension.

[Do Rag]

.060"

3/8th's ratchet, 5/8" spark plug socket, 3" extension.

Excellent.
This would appear to be an L26 engine.

[matt5112]

same deal.

if you need more room, unbolt and remove the driver side dog bone and remove the engine side bolt for the passenger side dog bone then pull the engine forward and re-insert the bolt in the other hole on the mount bracket that appears to have no use.

[Do Rag]

I got the air filter, oil and oil filer, and the spark plugs and wires done. The plugs and wires took longer than I planned so I didn't have time to get the fuel filter changed and the coolant flushed. I'll work on that as soon as possible.

Number 6 cylinder took a blood sacrifice to get the plug wire off but I got it done. I said "YEA MO**** FO****" as I danced around my back yard bleeding and sore.

Millage is 78750

I took a bunch of pics but I don't seem to be able to upload them to the data base. I suppose I could use Photo Bucket or something like that but I really don't want to mess with it.