New member

Hello; just bought an excellent (though with a few glitches) 2000 Grand Prix GTP. Man, this car really moves! I bought this for my 6'7" son, who just started to drive. Got it at a good price, and there are few cars that my tall boy can fit in, and this seems to work fine (if he can learn to keep his size 17 foot from stepping too hard on the gas!)

That's a mighty big foot...lol Welcome to the site.

Nice Where in Ok are you at?

If you haven't found them or read them, there are a few threads we recommend to new members. Even if you don't plan on it, if you or your son get the itch to mod the car you both really need to look over this.
http://www.grandprixforums.net/safel...0-a-67580.html (Safely Modding Your 3800!)

Otherwise, being the first car and an older car there are always problems. Here is a thread on the most common problems these cars have and what you need to look for. I know you bought it already but just some foresite.
http://www.grandprixforums.net/97-03...ems-60802.html (The 97-03 W-body buyers guide / Common problems)

Originally Posted by TLSheff

Nice Where in Ok are you at?

If you haven't found them or read them, there are a few threads we recommend to new members. Even if you don't plan on it, if you or your son get the itch to mod the car you both really need to look over this.
http://www.grandprixforums.net/safel...0-a-67580.html (Safely Modding Your 3800!)

Otherwise, being the first car and an older car there are always problems. Here is a thread on the most common problems these cars have and what you need to look for. I know you bought it already but just some foresite.
http://www.grandprixforums.net/97-03...ems-60802.html (The 97-03 W-body buyers guide / Common problems)

Thanks for the info. I'm in Norman, OK.
One of the links says "(Replace Dexcool with Yellow/Green Coolant)" Could you please elaborate? If I remember correctly, Dexcool is supposed to last 5 years by using organic acids instead of silicates (bit of a strech though on that time-frame) but there is an extended Yellow/Green too. I was going to change the coolant anyway, but I haven't located the drain plug yet . . . . . .

You don't need to replace it. Just maintain the cooling system properly and coolant shouldn't be an issue.

Welcome

^ What Bill said. Alot of people say it "destroys" the gaskets, but one of the biggest failures of the 3800s is the original GM Lower Intake Manifold gaskets, they were a "plastic" style and over time would wear out and cause internal leaks and lead to major problems. Felpro and GM now have replacements that are aluminum with rubber seal gaskets. If your's hasn't been replaced with the higher miles you may consider it in the future. But as to coolant, most people recommend changing to the green coolant because it "doesn't cause the gaskets to wear out" but if you maintain the coolant and engine properly you won't have any problems. I know, I still run the orange in mine. Its just about maintenance.

http://www.grandprixforums.net/video...utes-3112.html (Video tutorial: Lower Intake Manifold Gasket + Lifters in 33 minutes [*])

Here is a shot of my original gaskets at 75k when I did them, they are worn pretty badly but I have seen ALOT worse.

Yeah, man, Its just about maintenance, that's the most important consideration. BUT- I checked the coolant earlier today, and the previous owner(s) beat me to it. Th' stuff's green. Well, I'll keep it green then if that won't cause troubles. Coolant was low too. Coolant recovery hose from radiator to overflow tank was holey. The hose had gotten itself up against a pully some how easy fix though. But wow! that recovery tank is so nasty you can't see through it . I have it soaking in a strong solution of TSP right now.

If they changed it to green its possible they changed the LIM Gaskets to the metal ones already, if you look just between the head and the manifold you can see based on color, if its Black its the original plastic style, if its Aluminum its the metal replacement.

I'll have to have a look at that, thanks