Forums Archive Index > General Chat > Some Car Maintance Tips

Author: EGreen

Date: 27 Nov 2006 8:39 am

Since the weather was good and the Bills game was blacked out figured I'd do a little maintenance before winter fully arrives.

Looking threw my records I now see that I haven't replaced the Air Filter since 2002 (right around, if not when, we bought the car. It didn't look bad, but it certainly looked ugly next to the new one. Could have sworn I had a shop replace it once)

I did however, a few months ago, do a quick cleaning of the edge of the throttle body blade so my throttle wouldn't stick, figured it was time to finish the job. A can of Carb Cleaner (be sure it doesn't contain MEK or the like) did a real fine job of getting all the gunk off it.

When I had all the intake pieces off I cleaned them down a bit, getting and thing near the connections cleaned off and especially bottom half the air box.

Car feels much more responsive to even the smallest amount of throttle change seems to do the 1-2 WOT (wide open throttle) shift consistently at 6000RPMS and change (keeping eyes on road and seeing the exact number are kinda hard, even if in parking lot).

In any event I also cleaned up the engine a bit, getting all that dust and other such stuff that seems to be in the air when tree cutting, leave mulching, grass cutting, and construction seem to coat under the hood.

All in all a good day.

Some pictures after the big sedan was detailed (by yours truly):

Author: Marshall

Date: 27 Nov 2006 12:11 pm

E,

Looks very nice!

I took the opportunity to do much of the same this weekend on my Cougar. I recharged the K&N air filter, (cleaning and re-oiling). I waxed it and my fingers are telling me I did too. I started out with 3M's Finess-it II and finished with 3M's Yellow Wax and Hand Glaze. Best stuff I've ever used. I took Mothers Back to Black and did all the rubber and black plastic stuff, that stuff works wonders. Cleaned the carpet and upholstery, cleaned the windows inside and out and polished the chrome with wax too. I noticed the center caps on my wheels were fading so I took them off and painted them with a silver metallic enamel, three coats and two coates of clear. Man, what a difference. I think I'll take the wheels off and do the same to them. I then changed the oil and filter. I put on a Mobil 1 filter and used Mobil 5W30 Extended Performance Full Synthetic oil. Guess I'm good to go for the winter now.

Author: EGreen

Date: 27 Nov 2006 6:29 pm

Thank you Marshall. I have to hold off on waxing and such for a bit since I recently had some parts repainted, let it cure a few more weeks, then I'll work on getting the swirl marks out of the hood, not noticeable to most but I see them and it bugs me when the light hits it just right. Know of any good products to clear them swirl marks up?

I have a thing of Turtle Liquid Wax and good old Simonize blue wax. Not sure which one I'm going to use when the time comes.

I have used this "wash and wax" stuff that you mix with x number of gallons of water and over the summer it worked pretty good at keeping the existing wax on during the washes.

For leather surfaces and such I've found Meguiars leather wipes (not sure of the exact name) to work pretty good, they are alot moister than the Armor All counterparts.

Author: robmints

Date: 27 Nov 2006 7:29 pm

Those microfiber rags are great. I really like Mequires<sp> Deep Crystal system. Depending on the pait condition you can start with step 1,2, or 3. Unless the paint is perfect I usually start with at least step 2. Inbetween waxes I use Nano wax from Eagle1. I try and use it after every wash. It works well. For glass i like Invisable Glass. I'm still struggling to find something I like for cleaning the brake dust off the wheels and for doing the rubber and plastic.

E, I think you can get the swirls out with most good polishes like the one Marshall likes or the one I do, the secret is not putting the swirls right back in with the cloth you are using to do the application, polishing, and buffing. I'm kind of on a microfiber kick right now but I'm sure there is better stuff to use.

The Caddy looks great!

Author: bbwb

Date: 27 Nov 2006 9:44 pm

Are the swirl marks from a rotary buffer? I too hate that look that the body shops leaves on a repaint. The body shops hide the swirls by using a finishing glaze. This glaze quickly leaves exposing the swirls again. I had this condition on the hood of my new car in '95 Grand Prix (I fought with the stealership over this) and found that the best way to get it out is using a light, and I mean light polish and an orbital buffer. Take your time and repeat polishing the area several times and you will finally get it out. I too like the McGuire's products. One other thing that will help the finish sometimes is to use a clay bar. The clay with the lubricant will put a fine sanding (poor choice of words) to level the surface. With either method do the entire panel.
Be sure to wax the area when done and enjoy.

bbwb

Author: AJace

Date: 28 Nov 2006 2:55 am

Nice color Egreen.

Rob, I use Eagle one and Mother tire and wheel cleaners to clean the brake dust off.

Author: Marshall

Date: 28 Nov 2006 8:10 am

Rob,

I use either ther Eagle One or the Meguires All Wheel Cleaner, I think I like the Meguires better. It seems it says something like Hot Rims or Hot Wheels on the bottle? Mothers Back to Black works wonders on exterior black stuff.

Author: Bill_D

Date: 28 Nov 2006 3:44 pm

Marshall, I figured you for a K&N guy!! 8) Just did a recharge of my CIA cone filter and ran the dry sock through the dishwasher myself. HOOOOO HAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!

Author: Marshall

Date: 28 Nov 2006 10:21 pm

Bill_D wrote:
Marshall, I figured you for a K&N guy!! 8) Just did a recharge of my CIA cone filter and ran the dry sock through the dishwasher myself. HOOOOO HAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!

Bill yea, you bet! I'll open up the air and exhaust again on anything I ever buy. It's amazing the difference in performance and mileage. And ohhhhhh the sound!! :wink:

Author: EGreen

Date: 28 Nov 2006 11:48 pm

Thanks for the tips.

bbwb I'm not sure what they are from, been there for awhile (I think its from the previous owner going to a car wash), but much more noticeable next to the new paint. I haven't had a real good coat of wax on it in awhile actually, if I remember the wax was good enough to cover it up.

I'll see what I can do, am holding off on the wax for now, letting the paint cure for a bit more. Sears is having a sale so maybe I'll pick up one of their buffers for cheap and get a Meguiar's end for it.

For a 98 it has some dents and dings, and some interior blemishes, mainly around the driver side buttons and steering wheel. Not show room quality but gives it that character that anyone looking at it knows its been driven, and cared for along the way.

I'll be officially mine hopefully this summer, my dad is getting older so he either has me drive him places or lets me have free rain over it. All i have to do is wash it, fix it, put some gas in from time to time, and he lets me take it around, family car in its truest form. Just hit the 94,000 mile mark tonight.

From my understanding its not uncommon for the Northstar engine "system" to keep on running for over 200,000 miles, they call it system because it includes the transmission, traction control yadda yadda yadda. Probably why Cadillac has used it since the early 94 (the STS won plenty of awards just remained unchanged for too long, the Engine itself has been on the Ward's 10 best 2 or 3 years). Now if only they had it powering the rear wheels since 94 :P

Ah us boys and our toys :)

Now I just need to get a picture of the engine when its clean (althought not bad in the picture it looks nicer since I took and old toothbrush and such to clean it up):


Ah to me its a Front Wheel Drive luxury muscle car :P (especially since the left muffler now has a hole from a nasty scraping bump..althought even stock it had a nice rumble at idle, gonna get Borla's in place of the very expensive OEM mufflers, quiet at cruising speed, thunderous at WOT.)

Author: AJace

Date: 29 Nov 2006 1:33 am

Awsome idea.

Author: Bill_D

Date: 29 Nov 2006 6:36 am

Throw some Flowmaster 40's on thtat bad boy!!!!! :twisted: :twisted:

Author: Marshall

Date: 29 Nov 2006 7:20 am

Bill,

I'm running two 10 series single chambers. :twisted:

Author: Bill_D

Date: 29 Nov 2006 12:06 pm

Oh those must just plain Grooooowwwlllll, Marshall!! Nice!!!!