Genuine GM Parts!

"Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo" (rustyvandura)
04/03/2018 at 16:26 • Filed to: None

And bespoke GM water pump tool...

The belt was squealing a bit and the word was “replace the idler and tensioner.” All those parts had been on the engine for 100,000 miles, so for a total $250-300, I replaced everything with Delco OEM original parts from Rock Auto. I discovered that the lower radiator hose had a serious gouge in it, so I’m glad I was thorough about the scope. Well worth $300 and a few hours of my time to avoid sitting on the side of the road with a failed radiator hose! Water pump, thermostat, upper & lower radiator hoses, bypass hose, heater hose, idler and tensioner. And a careful inspection of the radiator.

Also did this front end work a few weeks ago:

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DISCUSSION (13)

winterlegacy, here 'till the end > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
04/03/2018 at 16:48

I’m gearing up to yank my motor so I can do most of my seals while I have it on the hoist. The first stop is going to be valve cover gaskets, which sets me back about $11 for a full set. With those out of the way, I’ll be redoing my oil pan gasket as well, which is $8. Since I’m already going to be there, I’ll be doing an oil change and getting a new filter to go with it (haven’t priced that out yet, I’d say maybe $20 at worst for that?) I’ll also pick up a new pack of spark plugs since I’m pretty sure that the ones that I have are due for a change, which is another $15 down the drain. I’ll have to check the cables, but if I have the cash, I’ll probably replace all of my spark plug cables and my coil pack, since those have probably been in there since the car rolled out of the factory almost two decades and 200k miles ago. I’ll probably also look over as much of the motor as possible while I have it yanked and check to see if my rear main seal is shot, and if it’s still good, then I’m not going to bother replacing it for the time being.

Even with my probably over-aggressive pricing, it’s only going to cost me about $50 (ignoring coil packs and cables,) and will probably save me plenty in terms of purchasing more 10w30 to replace what leaks/burns.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > winterlegacy, here 'till the end
04/03/2018 at 17:18

And the crankshaft oil seals? Camshaft oil seal?

What for a car?

Dogsatemypants > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
04/03/2018 at 18:22

Kinja'd!!!

New grape scent

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Dogsatemypants
04/03/2018 at 20:33

Interesting. Someone at GM has a sense of humor. But I did purchase Delco-brand antifreeze.

Dogsatemypants > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
04/03/2018 at 22:28

Now with more dex mud. I kid, but seriously flush the f outa that system with water before adding new.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Dogsatemypants
04/03/2018 at 23:36

The coolant I drained out was very clean looking.

shop-teacher > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
04/03/2018 at 23:41

This is smart maintenance.

Dogsatemypants > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
04/04/2018 at 01:08

Thats good. The issue i have seen with dex systems is the sediments can form a brick of mud in the bottom of the radiator. Solid enough that you need to tap it with a mallet to start the loosening process. Do a quickie knock test while the fluid is out and listen for not hollow sounds.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > shop-teacher
04/04/2018 at 02:08

I’ve been driving for 35 years and maintaining my own cars for 30 years. Stuff wears out. I like to catch it when it’s wearing out, not once it’s failed. I’ve spent $600-700 in stuff on the Safari the past six weeks or so including injectors, cooling system and the steering. And I saw today that my front pads are at about 40%. So we’ll do the 2000-mile trip next weekend — eldest daughter’s wedding — and see how they look afterward. I have a longer trip in July, pulling the pop-up trailer. Perhaps I’ll do the front brakes before that trip. In a shop, those $600 in parts would have been more like $1800 in parts, and some large amount of labor. With the Safari, applying some patience and being methodical, it hasn’t been too bad doing engine work.

234,000 miles...

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Dogsatemypants
04/04/2018 at 02:13

There was some gunk around the radiator cap — I replaced the cap, too — that was almost like finely ground rubber. But that’s way up at the top where there’d be almost no circulation. The radiator is not original to the van, having been replaced along with the engine about 80,000 miles ago. Factoid: A gallon of 50/50 premix store brand Dex antifreeze at O’Reilly was about $18. At the parts store in the industrial park, 50/50 Delco Dex was $9/gal. I’m sticking with AC Delco.

shop-teacher > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
04/04/2018 at 07:00

I’m right there with you in the way I maintain my Sierra. It’s a lot cheaper to change parts preemptively, than take on a payment. Now that I’m thinking about it, a belt and tensioner would be a good idea. They’re three or four years old now.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > shop-teacher
04/04/2018 at 12:38

Rock Auto. Delco OEM.

Ya’ spend a fraction of the money and you have a better maintained car.

shop-teacher > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
04/04/2018 at 13:01

I do love Rock Auto. I got the best deal on a replacement radiator for the Roadmaster from JC Whitney, of all places.