1993 SSE needs tune-up. Please advise

[beantownbrawler]

Hey guys, noobie here. I have a neighbor who has lost a leg in Vietnam and is relatively clueless as to maintaining his '93 Bonneville. I take care of his lawn, plowing and general maintenance. I do this in exchange for beer and offering him some company. He needs it. He lost a leg for his country and has nobody...literally. With that said, just go easy on me as i am not a Bonneville expert. I am very mechanical and can turn a wrench. His '93 starts tough and once going, runs fine. He runs cheap gas and his mechanic quoted him at $240. for a tune-up that is desperately needed. Here are my questions. (1) What does a full tune-up on one of these beasts entail? (2) His mpg's are way down he says, but, when i checked his tire pressure, all 4 tires were between 24+30 psi. Will this alone kill his mileage? (3) Other than what you guys list for a tune up, are there any insider tricks that will save me a bunch of time/money?? I really appreciate the help here. I plan to be at his home tomorrow at 8am and will have follow-ups for anything posted tonite around noon. Thanks a bunch guys. We appreciate it very much. In addition, this car has only 65k miles on it.

[1oldman]

Okay, this hose has been beat a time or two, including by me.
Get any error codes out of the PCM and post them
Here is a list authored by 00Beast - BC

http://www.pontiacbonnevilleclub.com/fo ... st#p262204



Did it feel like it was taking off in second or did it only shift twice? I agree to start in 1, shift to 2, 3 and finally D, feeling it shift each time.

Here's the maintenance items and intervals that I recommend:

1987-2005 Bonneville / Buick 3800 Maintenance List

Run Seafoam, Chevron Techron or Gumout Regane through gasoline every 5,000 miles.

Grease: Ball Joints, Tie Rods Every 8-10k ( Green Grease or Amsoil Grease recommended)
Air Filter Every 15k (Amsoil EaA, Purolator PureONE)
PCV Valve Every 30k
MAF Sensor Element Cleaning/TB Cleaning Every 50k viewtopic.php?f=48&t=1661
Fuel Filter Every 15-25k (Purolator, AC Delco, WIX) viewtopic.php?f=45&t=23215
Spark Plugs Every 30-50k (NGK TR55, AC Delco 41-101 or Autolite 605) (Never Bosch)
Ignition Wires Every 30-50k (Napa Belden, AC Delco, Autolite Pro, NGK) (Never Taylor or Bosch)
Oil & Filter Every 5-6k or Every 6 months (Valvoline SYNPower, Pennzoil Platinum, or Amsoil )(Mobil1, Purolator PureONE, Amsoil EaO, K&N or WIX) (Never Fram) viewtopic.php?f=45&t=214
*Conventional Oil Every 3k/3 months(API SM/SN rating) (WIX (Napa), Delco or Purolator filter)
Tires: Check Inflation Pressure & Visually Inspect Monthly Rotate Every 6-8,000 Miles
Transmission Flush or Pan Drop Every 15-20k (Always make sure filter is changed when flushed) viewtopic.php?f=45&t=10193
Cooling System Flush Every 25-50k or 3-5 Years (Peak or Prestone Mixes-With-Any Coolant Only) (Never Dexcool)
Oxygen Sensor Every 80-100k (30k for non-heated) (AC Delco or Denso) (Absolutely never Bosch) viewtopic.php?f=48&t=794
Accessory Belt Inspect every 15k, replace every 100k, or as needed
Cabin Air Filter Inspect and Replace every 15k, or as needed in dusty conditions. (Note: 00+ Only) viewtopic.php?f=45&t=13626
Evap Core Cleaning Whenever Needed (Note: 99 and older only) viewtopic.php?f=45&t=2432
Brake Fluid Flush 3yr/50k
Power Steering Fluid Replacement/Flush Every 100k or 5 years

*Special Considerations*
All Series II/III 3800's RPO's: L36, L26, L67 & L32, especially important on vehicles factory installed with orange Havoline Dexcool Antifreeze/Coolant: http://www.dex-cool.net/
Lower Intake Manifold Gasket Replacement, every 80-100k (ignorance of this can allow coolant to enter your engine oil, this happening can cause irreversible lower engine damage, requiring replacement of subject engine)

Series II, Naturally Aspirated, RPO:L36:
Upper Intake Manifold Plenum Replacement, Every 80-100k (ignorance of this can allow coolant to enter your intake manifold, possible damage to occur can be hydrolock, irreversible damage to emissions devices, misfires, etc. Most times, engine replacement is required if ignored long enough.) viewtopic.php?f=53&t=1061

Series I, II, III RPO Code L67 & L32:
Change Supercharger Oil; Every 30-50k. (Intense Racing or GM Dealer) viewtopic.php?f=56&t=1690
Supercharger Belt; Inspect Every 15k, Replace Every 100k or as needed.

5/15/2011 by 00Beast

[dakotapalm]

Beantown, really glad that you are doing what you are for this gentleman. Please let him know that we appreciate what he has done for our country. Continue to return with questions; this board is a great resource!

[00Beast]

Welcome and god bless you and your neighbor.

As oldman posted, that's what I recommend, and what should be maintained. $240 sounds like a reasonable price. I'd recommend fuel filter, air filter plugs and wires at the very least. Tire pressure alone won't kill the mileage, but pump them up to whatever the door says, all around. Should be somewhere around 32.

[nicklikesmilk]

Aside from any mechanical issues and tire pressure, driving style has a major impact on fuel economy. I'm not saying your neighbor is driving a certain way, but that's always something to consider.