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Maintenance Tips


Teenwbody

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Be dillgent about oil changes, don't put it off. The LQ1 seems especially sensitive to proper oil and level, at least in my experience.

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Be dillgent about oil changes, don't put it off. The LQ1 seems especially sensitive to proper oil and level, at least in my experience.

 

Sensitive is a very conservative choice of words. Autistic would be more appropriate.

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Buy yourself a haynes repair manual for you car (read it), a decent tool box, and use the search option at the top of the page. If you have a specific question post a new thread and we will help you. beer helps... The LQ1 is easy to work on if you're good with tools.

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Buy yourself a FACTORY SERVICE MANUAL for you car

fixed.

 

TO DO:

inspect timing belt: remove timing belt inspection cover and look at belt for condition. requires removal of two 8mm bolts, or 4 if you have a 91-93 to pull an extra piece of plastic out of the way.

oil drive: look down below the throttle body area at the top of the block right where it meets the transmission. IS THERE OIL EVERYWHERE THERE? Refer to FAQ 3.4 Dist thread, I authored a good how to with pics in it... for a double gasket high quality repair...

intake gasket: OEM ones go bad eventually... just do it... but refer to the stuff above if it needs service because you will be doing it at the same time.

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How long do you intend to keep it? If you intend to have it for several years, a few suggestions:

 

The Kent-Moore tools are indispensable for doing a timing belt change. A lot of GM dealers went out of business, the tools can be had very cheaply on eBay. I bought the ENTIRE specialty toolset for the 3.4 from eBay for $88.00. Every specialty tool, including the case, about $1300.00 worth of stuff for only a little over $100.00 shipped.

 

GM is discontinuing many of the parts for the LQ1. The hydraulic actuator and mounting plate for the timing tensioner are getting hard to get, if you're keeping the car for a long time, you might want to have one on hand now. If you don't know the history of the car, I'd recommend all new parts when timing belt time comes.

 

If you have no idea of how old the timing belt is, avoid very high RPM operation. While the '95 and older LQ1 is NOT an interference engine, if you've really got it wound out, and the belt goes, severe valvetrain damage is possible. If you plan on running it hard, replace the timing belt and hardware first, just to be safe.

 

Be somewhat paranoid in keeping the cooling system in top condition. The cooling system is in my opinion barely adequate, and if you ignore the system, you will have issues...very expensive ones.

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...and if you're keeping it, and intend to do most of your own work, save the money you were going to spend on the Haynes manual, and get the actual factory service manuals. You won't be sorry, and if you're patient, you can find them on eBay for less than $50.00. You'll have much better information than the Haynes manuals for doing your work.

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...and if you're keeping it, and intend to do most of your own work, save the money you were going to spend on the Haynes manual, and get the actual factory service manuals. You won't be sorry, and if you're patient, you can find them on eBay for less than $50.00. You'll have much better information than the Haynes manuals for doing your work.

 

 

He was asking for maintenance tips. Newbies should start with the haynes, it shows you how to check the brakes, do plugs, change the belt, troubleshoot, maintenance type stuff and such.... the service manuals are for GM techs, I have em they are great but not really good for someone just getting to know their car.

Edited by GTP091
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He was asking for maintenance tips. Newbies should start with the haynes, it shows you how to check the brakes, do plugs, change the belt, troubleshoot, maintenance type stuff and such.... the service manuals are for GM techs, I have em they are great but not really good for someone just getting to know their car.

 

In some cases, however, Haynes manuals contain blatantly incorrect information, and GM service manuals can help troubleshoot seemingly simple problems with non-simple solutions. All of the stuff you mentioned is much easier answered here, for example.

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I'd rather work on 10 N* engines before working on a LQ1... including starters AND alternators.

 

Pussy.

 

I'd work on the LQ1 all day before working on a N*. At least you can work on the LQ1 in the fucking car. :roll:

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Pussy.

 

I'd work on the LQ1 all day before working on a N*. At least you can work on the LQ1 in the fucking car. :roll:

 

Same here!

 

And aren't the starters IN the engine on the later N*s?

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