Author Topic: 100k tuneup?  (Read 1301 times)

esheato

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100k tuneup?
« on: April 26, 2010, 07:37:09 PM »
06 GMC Sierra, crew cab, 4x4, 5.3 v8.

No issues to speak of, but am looking to do some preventive maintenance.

Took it into a coworker recommended shop and they came back with....gasp....$1600 for maintenance.

Of course they're recommending everything...what I need to know is what's important and what isn't.

I was thinking: plugs and wires, serpentine/ac belts, radiator hoses, radiator flush, power steering flush, and fuel filter. Brakes are good at about 50% and I can do that on my own later. Have an aftermarket K&N air filter so no worries there.

The extra crap they were suggesting went something like this:
clean air intake system $57 (parts and labor)
trans flush 175
rear end service 130
front diff service 130
transfer case fluid change  36 plus whatever parts they need....don't see 'em on the estimate.

I go off road occasionally but nothing serious. I do make a point of throwing it into the various low gears every few months.

What say you guys?

Thanks,

Ed

« Last Edit: April 26, 2010, 07:42:48 PM by esheato »

grampster

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Re: 100k tuneup?
« Reply #1 on: April 26, 2010, 07:46:30 PM »
Leave the tranny flush alone.  don't do it.  I did the same deal you're doing because I let stuff go for 3 years.  Wound up costing $2500.00.  Add in shocks, and a couple of broken leaf springs for me.

I had the tranny fluid replaced and have had some issues since.  I've since talked to several wrenches and they tell me it's ok to replace the fluid at about 50,000 intervals.  If your vehicle is over 100k just top it off as needed, don't change it.
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Ben

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Re: 100k tuneup?
« Reply #2 on: April 26, 2010, 07:58:06 PM »
The prices for the diffs seem a little high. Not sure what "service" is, but they should only need to swap fluid. I'm not big on tranny flushes -- I prefer a plain old drain and replace versus any kind of service, unless you're having tranny issues.

If you're taking it in for major maintenance, you might consider a timing belt replacement. I think most are usually due around 100-150K.
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esheato

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Re: 100k tuneup?
« Reply #3 on: April 26, 2010, 08:17:25 PM »
Tranny is working fine, although the 4x4 indicator is giving me fits....cluster telling me it needs service but no code is being thrown, in other words I'm not worried about it until it actually breaks. Push button 4x4 is still push button 4x4.

Rear end service is "remove rear pan and install new gasket and fluid". I'm assuming front diff service is probably similar. Labor is only $45 per axle, with synthetic gear lube being $180. Now, I'm no mechanic, so I'm taking a wild guess that the gear lube is for the rear end and front differential?

Part of the plugs and wires service includes adjusting ignition timing and idle speed.

Nitrogen

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Re: 100k tuneup?
« Reply #4 on: April 26, 2010, 08:28:44 PM »
If you're taking it in for major maintenance, you might consider a timing belt replacement. I think most are usually due around 100-150K.

I'd do the water pump too if you're doing this.
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Headless Thompson Gunner

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Re: 100k tuneup?
« Reply #5 on: April 26, 2010, 08:55:02 PM »
Servicing the front diff, rear diff, and transfer case is easier than changing engine oil.  Do it yourself.  Unscrew the plug to drain it, put the plug back in and refill it.  Easy.  No need to spend that much money on it. 

Only problem with it is that gear oil stinks.

Jim147

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Re: 100k tuneup?
« Reply #6 on: April 26, 2010, 08:57:49 PM »
Quote
Part of the plugs and wires service includes adjusting ignition timing and idle speed.


That right there is a reason not to have them work on  it.

And the synthetic gear lube is about $20.00 a quart. I wouldn't think you need more then three or four but don't quote me on that.

jim
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cassandra and sara's daddy

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Re: 100k tuneup?
« Reply #7 on: April 26, 2010, 09:18:02 PM »
the honda transmission fluid is about 30-35 a quart where i got it
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BReilley

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Re: 100k tuneup?
« Reply #8 on: April 26, 2010, 10:55:40 PM »
If you're comfortable replacing brakes on your truck, you can totally do most of these things.

Do have the plugs and wires replaced.  There is no manual idle or ignition timing adjustment to be made on your truck - it has an entirely computerized ignition system.
Pop the hood and look at the belt(there's only one belt).  Where it goes over the water pump pulley(smooth one toward the center), it will be "inside out", so you can see the ribs and any cracks will be evident.  If there are any cracks, or if the belt has never been replaced, have it replaced.  This you can do by yourself if you have a 3/8"-drive ratchet with a long handle.  Five minutes' work.
Probably do the radiator hoses.  This, too, you can do yourself, but it will be messy.  Might be worth paying a shop and getting the coolant flushed at the same time, just to avoid having to catch and clean up the coolant.
Don't bother with a power steering flush.
Replace the fuel filter if it hasn't been replaced before.  If you don't mind getting under the truck, this is usually very quick and simple(some vehicles require special tools, but I don't believe GMs are among them), and if you do happen to spill, gasoline evaporates :)
Cleaning the air intake is a ten-minute job at most.  You can do it yourself: all they would do is remove the intake ducts to expose the throttle body, open it and clean the butterfly valve and throttle bore.  Just use a little bit of carburetor cleaner and wipe until it's clean.  If you don't want to do it yourself, get it done, but NOT for $57.  We used to charge $11 unless the car had multiple throttle bodies or ridiculous ductwork.
I'd say get a transmission fluid exchange(or at least drain & fill), as others have said, only if you have had one done before.  If not, let it be.
The differential fluid replacements are expensive unless your truck requires some magical synthetic fluid.  We used to do them for $45 an axle for standard gear oil, or as much as $90 for synthetic.
Newer GM transfer cases, as I recall, require an expensive synthetic fluid which is available only from the dealer.  You only need a few quarts, though.  Shouldn't be expensive.

If you're just wanting basic maintenance done, I would solicit quotes from a couple more shops(avoid chains if possible, you never really know what you're getting into).  These guys sound expensive, and the whole idle/timing thing makes me itch - that hasn't been a consideration in probably twenty years.

Jim147

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Re: 100k tuneup?
« Reply #9 on: April 26, 2010, 11:24:55 PM »
Check with Royal Purple for any fluids that call for some outrages priced dealer only item.

And if your not sure on how to do something go to http://www.alldatadiy.com/
It cost's a few bucks but you get a lot of info.

jim
Sometimes we carry more weight then we owe.
And sometimes goes on and on and on.

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Marnoot

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Re: 100k tuneup?
« Reply #10 on: April 26, 2010, 11:30:55 PM »
Servicing the front diff, rear diff, and transfer case is easier than changing engine oil.  Do it yourself.  Unscrew the plug to drain it, put the plug back in and refill it.  Easy.  No need to spend that much money on it. 

Only problem with it is that gear oil stinks.

Bing! I just did this on my '01 Sierra last year. Front, Rear, and transfer case. Didn't take too long at all, definitely easy enough to make it worth not spending a couple hundred to have someone else do it.

esheato

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Re: 100k tuneup?
« Reply #11 on: April 27, 2010, 12:08:55 AM »
Awesome...I'm picking her back up tomorrow. I appreciate all the comments.

I'm going to attempt some of it, and find another place for the rest.

Ed