v6 maintenance..

[RichGot6banger]

guys.. i'm doing my oil changes myself (i feel guilty paying the dealer hundreds for the stuff i can do on my own). Now, this is the 2nd tune up on my car since i've had it, the 1st was done by Chevy. Besides engine oil/filter, plugs, wires, tranny oil/filter, what else must be changed?? THANKS. Any special considerations since my 95 3.4l now has over 100,000 ?? ALSO! HOW DO I FIX LIFTER TAPPING NOISE without going inside the engine??

[RoyalBlaze]

Rotate your tires, check the tread while you're at it, check the coolant levels and appearance, and check your air filter. You'll probably want to toss it and slap in a new one.

edit- Assuming that you have a stock set-up for the intake, that is. Wouldn't want to toss a K&N. ;)

[ May 08, 2002: Message edited by: RoyalBlaze ]</p>

[Skullcamaro]

You might also want to try changing your differential fluid as well as the other things you mentioned.

[AZ3.8Camaro]

Hey whats the easiest way to change you rear diff. fluid by yourself? Any tips?

[John_D.]

The easiest way is get a small pump made for this, but not the cheapest. Goes in the fill hole in the passenger side of the housing.

The cheapest way is loosen the diff. cover. and let the grease out, tighten it back up, and fill it up through the fill plug in the side of the housing, by holding the grease bottle sideways against it. Let the rear end/axle hang down (have the stands under a good place on the frame, not under the rear end/axle), and you will have a little more clearance for getting the bottle under there. If it needs an additive (for the lsd rear), don't forget to replace that too.

If you end up taking the cover off, you can make it easier for the next time, if you put a drain plug in the cover, or try to find a replacement cover with a drain plug.

[Fin]

When was the last time you changed the fuel filter? It should be done at least every 30k.

[Shadly]

You have to pull the valve covers to even verify that it's a lifter. It's not too tough.

[RichGot6banger]

Turns out that sum stuff called CD-2 ''fixed'' my ''lifter'' problem.. no more clicking! I did everything mentioned in this post but the differentail change, how important is it and how much would a mechanic charge me to do it since that seems a bit too complex. Thanks!

[QuicksilverRS]

One other thing they recommend you change is the PCV valve. On the 3.8L series there's a little black cover on the top of your engine...right near where it says "3800 series II" Two little bolts come out and there's a little valve in there. Should just pop out for you. A little "O" ring keeps it tight so just make sure the "o" ring doesn't pop out, and if it does, put it back in. [img]smile.gif[/img] The PCV valve is really cheap, like $2.50 at Auto Zone. Good luck.

Ryan

[Original 4th Gen V6]

Whats the easiest way to change tranny fluid. My tranny has been making weird noises I think I need to change fluid. I have a T-5.

[Dojo2000]

Easisest way to change your tranny fluid is to put it on a lift, take out the drain bolt located on the passenger side of tranny, let drain, reinstall drain bolt, take out filler hole bolt located right above drain bolt, refill tranny fluid with some kind of pump, and reinstall filler hole bolt.

I know you probably don't have access to a lift, but you asked for the easiest way :D its a PITA if you don't have some way of getting a lot of room under your car to work and manuveur. What I did was jack up the pass. front side of car and wiggle my way under the car to the tranny, it was a pain. Hope some of this helps.

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