[Seltzinator]

I'm coming up on my 100k mile service and I expect a lot of other daily drivers are too. I want to recap some of the research I've been doing and get some confirmation that I'm moving in the correct direction.

This is all for an '07 GXP.

So what is called for in the 100k mile service?

• Flush and fill manual transmission fluid
• Flush and fill rear differential fluid
• Change air filter
• Cleaning throttle body, fuel injectors, cylinder heads
• Change spark plugs
• Change engine oil
• Check brake and steering fluid, replacing if necessary

Flush and fill manual transmission fluid

Based on my research, the premium synthetic brands (Redline, Mobile1, Royal Purple) work better in our tranny than the OEM stuff. It takes 3 qts of 75w90 gear oil and I plan to bring Mobile1 Synthetic 75W-90 Gear Oil with me to the dealer and have them use it instead of the OEM oil.

Based on this thread: http://www.solsticeforum.com/forum/f12/changing-transmission-fluid-think-twice-45071/

Anyone have a problem with Mobil1 in a manual transmission application? Remember, not talking about engine oil.

Flush and fill rear differential

This one is a little tough. It takes the same 75w90 oil as the transmission but requires a slip-enhancing LSD additive. It takes 1.25 qts of 75w90 gear oil and I plan to purchase the LSD additive from a local GM part supplier and bring the Mobile1 Synthetic 75W-90 Gear Oil to the dealer and have them use it.

I've heard that some Redline products already have the additive in there. I can't tell from browsing online which 75w90 gear oil might have the additive. Any insights here? Would that be any better than using Mobil1 with the additive?

Change air filter

Easiest possible DIY. Already have a K&N in there, like pretty much everyone else, I guess.

Cleaning throttle body, fuel injectors, cylinder heads

The dealership is charging me close to $400 for this service, mostly because they can't simply run a fuel additive through it, but have to disassemble some pieces of it. They are using BG products for the cleaning.

I voiced my skepticism that this service was actually needed, but the service guy was very knowledgeable about the Solstice and said that from '07 on, the Solstice does not have a fuel filter! I couldn't believe it, but I checked the forums and sure enough: http://www.solsticeforum.com/forum/f12/fuel-filter-where-45043/

So he explained that cleaning this assembly is important because some sediment and micro-debris will dirty things up a bit. I'm inclined to agree and have them do the full cleaning. Thoughts?

Change spark plugs

Yep, doing this.

Change engine oil

Doesn't need it. Gotta love the long life of Mobil1 synthetic!

Check brake and steering fluid, replacing if necessary

Of course, will let them check this as well.


What are you guys thoughts? I'm especially interested in making sure I get it right as far as the tranny/diff fluids and confirming that the fuel system cleaning is a good investment. Thanks!

 

[stuck]

Looks about right. I'd also consider belts, hoses and start replacing suspension parts like A-arm bushings, ball joints, rod ends & sway bar bushings/links.

I never really bought off on the throttle body/injector cleaning, but at 85k, I had it done. Made a difference.

 

[TX08manualGXP]

what's that cleaning that you can get called where they use a machine and it pumps the cleaner thru and cleanes all the carbon from the piston, head, TB and everything else? If I remember, if was about $350 but sounded worth it. I'll have to see if I can find that thread. TS or Chicken may remember though.

I'd think that a complete front suspension rebuild and maybe wheel bearings would bring your handling back to life. and what about body mount bushings? when I changed them on the vette, it made all the difference in the world as far as a smooth ride went.

Congrats on your 100k too.

 

[Seltzinator]

what's that cleaning that you can get called where they use a machine and it pumps the cleaner thru and cleanes all the carbon from the piston, head, TB and everything else? If I remember, if was about $350 but sounded worth it. I'll have to see if I can find that thread. TS or Chicken may remember though.

I'd think that a complete front suspension rebuild and maybe wheel bearings would bring your handling back to life. and what about body mount bushings? when I changed them on the vette, it made all the difference in the world as far as a smooth ride went.

Congrats on your 100k too.

That cleaning you're talking about is what they're doing, I believe.

As for rebuilding the front suspension and body mounts, how much would that run and where would I even have it done? This service is already going to set me back $700, and I don't know the first thing about what would be involved to do it myself.

 

[Seltzinator]

To add another wrinkle, all the places around here have the LSD additive already in the oil. Well it hurt to put the stiff with the additive in the tranny?

Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App

 

[The_Ghost]

I'm coming up on my 100k mile service and I expect a lot of other daily drivers are too. I want to recap some of the research I've been doing and get some confirmation that I'm moving in the correct direction.

This is all for an '07 GXP.

So what is called for in the 100k mile service?

• Flush and fill manual transmission fluid
• Flush and fill rear differential fluid
• Change air filter
• Cleaning throttle body, fuel injectors, cylinder heads
• Change spark plugs
• Change engine oil
• Check brake and steering fluid, replacing if necessary

Flush and fill manual transmission fluid

Based on my research, the premium synthetic brands (Redline, Mobile1, Royal Purple) work better in our tranny than the OEM stuff. It takes 3 qts of 75w90 gear oil and I plan to bring Mobile1 Synthetic 75W-90 Gear Oil with me to the dealer and have them use it instead of the OEM oil.

Based on this thread: http://www.solsticeforum.com/forum/f12/changing-transmission-fluid-think-twice-45071/

Anyone have a problem with Mobil1 in a manual transmission application? Remember, not talking about engine oil.

Flush and fill rear differential

This one is a little tough. It takes the same 75w90 oil as the transmission but requires a slip-enhancing LSD additive. It takes 1.25 qts of 75w90 gear oil and I plan to purchase the LSD additive from a local GM part supplier and bring the Mobile1 Synthetic 75W-90 Gear Oil to the dealer and have them use it.

I've heard that some Redline products already have the additive in there. I can't tell from browsing online which 75w90 gear oil might have the additive. Any insights here? Would that be any better than using Mobil1 with the additive?

Change air filter

Easiest possible DIY. Already have a K&N in there, like pretty much everyone else, I guess.

Cleaning throttle body, fuel injectors, cylinder heads

The dealership is charging me close to $400 for this service, mostly because they can't simply run a fuel additive through it, but have to disassemble some pieces of it. They are using BG products for the cleaning.

I voiced my skepticism that this service was actually needed, but the service guy was very knowledgeable about the Solstice and said that from '07 on, the Solstice does not have a fuel filter! I couldn't believe it, but I checked the forums and sure enough: http://www.solsticeforum.com/forum/f12/fuel-filter-where-45043/

So he explained that cleaning this assembly is important because some sediment and micro-debris will dirty things up a bit. I'm inclined to agree and have them do the full cleaning. Thoughts?

Change spark plugs

Yep, doing this.

Change engine oil

Doesn't need it. Gotta love the long life of Mobil1 synthetic!

Check brake and steering fluid, replacing if necessary

Of course, will let them check this as well.


What are you guys thoughts? I'm especially interested in making sure I get it right as far as the tranny/diff fluids and confirming that the fuel system cleaning is a good investment. Thanks!

Nope.....look at your owner's manual. You don't need all of these things. Go right from what's in your owner's manual. I gaurantee (cause I work for a company that gets their data right from GM) that only oil, air filter and plugs are needed per your handbook. Should you do the other things??? Probably. It should be about 2.1 hours for a 100k at your dealership. Somewhere around $400 for the repairs I said....if you do ALL of the others, over $1000....gauranteed.... And the part about disassembling your motor to clean it....BS! Nobody will ever "disassemble" your motor to clean it, unless you have MAJOR engine sludge. I would RUNNNNNNN from that dealer!!!!

The BG Fuel induction service will clean your fuel system.... Although, I wouldn't have it done because the car runs on the cleaner until it runs out of gas as they don't allow it to run on fuel from your tank during that cleaning. Basically it runs on the additive in the shop until it runs out of gas....very harmful for a high-pressure fuel pump! Especially with 100k on it!!!!

 

[Seltzinator]

Nope.....look at your owner's manual. You don't need all of these things. Go right from what's in your owner's manual. I gaurantee (cause I work for a company that gets their data right from GM) that only oil, air filter and plugs are needed per your handbook. Should you do the other things??? Probably. It should be about 2.1 hours for a 100k at your dealership. Somewhere around $400 for the repairs I said....if you do ALL of the others, over $1000....gauranteed.... And the part about disassembling your motor to clean it....BS! Nobody will ever "disassemble" your motor to clean it, unless you have MAJOR engine sludge. I would RUNNNNNNN from that dealer!!!!

The BG Fuel induction service will clean your fuel system.... Although, I wouldn't have it done because the car runs on the cleaner until it runs out of gas as they don't allow it to run on fuel from your tank during that cleaning. Basically it runs on the additive in the shop until it runs out of gas....very harmful for a high-pressure fuel pump! Especially with 100k on it!!!!

When you say only the oil, filter and plugs are needed, you mean all the oil, including the gear oil in both the tranny and diff, right?

Sorry they're not disassembling the engine, but like hand cleaning the throttle body and stuff (I think). It sounded legit to me, but the whole service was like $400.

I have heard others voice the same concerns you're raising about running it out of gas. It seems exorbitantly expensive too.

If I shouldn't do the fuel clean service, what should I do instead to clean my fuel system? Just dump a bottle of some random fuel additive in the tank? I've always felt like those were some kinda scam.

 

[mcpigm01]

By all means do what you want but this all looks like over kill to me. My car is closing in on 170k very quickly. I don't think I would do the throttle body clean, the brake fluid flush is a scam in my opinion, if you change your oil regularly, the cylinder heads should be clean. Plugs, coil boots, filter, and rear end is all I would do personally unless you need a belt. I don't know that I'd even do the transmission fluid really. I've heard so many stories where it is best not to,ever service the transmission but I'm not sure. I've never serviced mine, heck I've never even had to put a clutch in mine. I'm not sure I would trust the dealer, it sounds,like they are trying to get in your wallet if you ask me.

 

[The_Ghost]

I just found out (I'm onsite at a reputable GM dealer today) DO NOT have a fuel induction service done on a GXP!!!!! DO NOT allow them to even touch your car if they try to sell you one!!! It will destroy your high pressure fuel pump!

 

[TomatoSoup]

So he explained that cleaning this assembly is important because some sediment and micro-debris will dirty things up a bit. I'm inclined to agree and have them do the full cleaning. Thoughts?

Aggh. If there is any "micro-debris" there, it will be stuck in (or behind) the fuel injectors, otherwise it would be in the pistons and burnt up. I can pretty much guarantee they are not disassembling the injectors and high pressure fuel rail to do this, so yeah, totally bogus.

The only thing you might want to do (and probably what they are doing) is run a can of Chevron (or GM) fuel cleaner additive through the gas tank, once or twice.

 

[Seltzinator]

Gentlemen, thanks for the warning about the BG fuel induction service. I'll order a couple bottles of Techron.

I really consider this dealer to be reputable, but this is not a place that used to be a Pontiac dealer. They've always been a Buick/GMC dealer. No one in San Antonio seems to know much about our car.

This is why I made this thread. I'm confident in their honesty and ability to follow GM procedure, but I want to have all the information I can so that I can tell them what needs doing and what parts to use.

So I'm down to the following procedures:

Spark plugs - all agree
Diff oil - all agree
Tranny oil -all agree except mcpig. I think I want to get synthetic oil in there though. When the engine is cold, shifting is a bit rough. I'm pretty sure its still on the OEM stuff.

Last question (for now) is a repeat: The only 75w90 stuff I could find has the LSD additive already in it. Will it hurt to put this in my tranny as well? I can't imagine it would, but I want to get some confirmation for my peace of mind.

 

[Treeman]

If you use brand name gas, it already has Techron or it's equivalent in it. You don't need more. And there is a fuel filter, it's part of the Mayan Temple in your trunk, right above the gas tank.

 

[KappaKadet]

If it ain't broke ~ don't fix it.

I'm coming up on my 100k mile service and I expect a lot of other daily drivers are too. I want to recap some of the research I've been doing and get some confirmation that I'm moving in the correct direction.



Change air filter.


Change spark plugs.


Change engine oil.

:thumbs: and DIY one weekend afternoon.


Anything else is a waste of time and money.

 

[Seltzinator]

If you use brand name gas, it already has Techron or it's equivalent in it. You don't need more. And there is a fuel filter, it's part of the Mayan Temple in your trunk, right above the gas tank.

GM and most people on the forums tell me different: the 2006 had a fuel filter but it was removed for 2007.

:thumbs: and DIY one weekend afternoon.


Anything else is a waste of time and money.

Servicing the rear diff is a waste of time and money? I find that hard to grasp. And I don't have a deep socket wrench so the plugs are beyond my toolset. Thanks though.

 

[Treeman]

The fuel filter at the engine was removed. It still remains at the tank.

 

[TX08manualGXP]

as far as suspension stuff goes, I'm sure you will be able to tell when your shocks and the front suspension parts are worn out . we have these rumble bumps down the street and you can really feel them when the suspension parts are worn. same with the body mount bushings. I'm sure you can go another 100k with what's on there but I guarantee you your car will not feel as plush and tight as it would with newer parts. You'd have to ask around and get estimates. Just an example, the entire rebuild kit for the vette cost me about 300 in parts and IF I could have found a shop to change them, I'm sure the labor would have been around a grand. It's all about what you want for your car. sounds like the engine and fluids are covered in the previous posts but I'd really like to hear from others regarding suspension components. We probably have urethane bushings which last longer than rubber but are more stiff and I'm sure can get brittle over time resulting in loose and sloppy handeling and comfort.

 

[The_Ghost]

If you use brand name gas, it already has Techron or it's equivalent in it. You don't need more. And there is a fuel filter, it's part of the Mayan Temple in your trunk, right above the gas tank.

The GXP does NOT have a fuel filter. There is a mesh screen at the bottom of the low pressure pump in the tank....that's the only filter on the GXP.

I would change the rear diff fluid as well....

 

[stuck]

...but I'd really like to hear from others regarding suspension components. We probably have urethane bushings which last longer than rubber but are more stiff and I'm sure can get brittle over time resulting in loose and sloppy handeling and comfort.

Between 80-100k, I begin swapping all the bushings, bearings, rod ends, ball joints, sway links, belts and hoses out, before they go. Our suspension is easy to work on and, with the exception of the realignment, can be done in the garage over a weekend. A great running engine in a sloppy driving car doesn't work for me.

 

[Seltzinator]

The fuel filter at the engine was removed. It still remains at the tank.

I guess we're marching off into the weeds here but are you just talking about the debris screen where the fuel leaves the tank? I don't think that is a serviceable filter.

Between 80-100k, I begin swapping all the bushings, bearings, rod ends, ball joints, sway links, belts and hoses out, before they go. Our suspension is easy to work on and, with the exception of the realignment, can be done in the garage over a weekend. A great running engine in a sloppy driving car doesn't work for me.

My suspension is in decent shape, but I can definitely feel it is not as tight as it should be, and probably once was. I would be interested in learning how to do that.

If people start swapping those out and want to do some How-Tos for us aspiring gear heads, I'd be grateful. Definitely would be worthy of its own thread.

For the moment, I'm getting a little paranoid that no one has responded to my question, asked twice now, about LSD additive in the tranny fluid. Will it hurt anything to have the LSD additive 75w90 gear oil in my tranny? I can't find any of the correct weight that doesn't have the additive.

 

[Treeman]

I will look it up later but I recall someone posting a pic of the filter when DDM released their filter for the engine. I recall that it was a coarser filter but more than a screen.