1st time Bonnie owner

[rrings]

Just bought my 1st Bonneville, a 2001 SSEi 150k on the clock, one owner, very clean and well maintained! You guys let me know what to expect from her. She has new tires, struts and brakes, I gave a shade over 3000$ Did I do ok? What is the first thing to look for or is it just regular stuff? My first blown 3.8 ever!
Thanks, Russ

[WhiteArrow3800]

Should be a great car for you. Price wasn't bad at all. Welcome to the Club!

[nos4blood70]

Welcome!

[PaulyGXP]

If I were you... New oil, new supercharger oil, check/test the rest of the fluids for color and cleanliness. Check wheel bearings, stabilizer links, ball joints, shocks, and belts. Change spark plugs, wires, check air filter... you get the idea

[rrings]

I'll get some pics up as soon as I can. Looks like regular maintenance is the key. What do you guys think about running premium fuel? I am planning on it anyway but was curious.
Thanks, Russ

[2002FO]

Welcome aboard... Loads of good info here, so search, search, search...

[01bonneSC]

ALWAYS RUN PREMIUM FUEL

and welcome!!!

Read this...
(I know its for N/A 3.8L but the LIM gaskets are what pertain to you)
http://www.pontiacbonnevilleclub.com/fo ... c1061.html

This...
http://dex-cool.net/

This....
http://www.pontiacbonnevilleclub.com/fo ... c3591.html

And this...
http://www.pontiacbonnevilleclub.com/fo ... 25362.html

This....

• 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) http://www.pontiacbonnevilleclub.com/fo ... 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.

3/2/12 by 00Beast

Good info here...
http://3800supercharger.net/

And THEN you can read this...
http://www.pontiacbonnevilleclub.com/fo ... 25655.html

[rrings]

Wow! thanks for the info, its like a Bonnie bucket list!

[SSEiMan01]

Yeah what they said. Also, make sure to check everything underneath your car, like steering and suspension wise. Just four days ago I had a sway bar link break in half due to rust on that part. My car's pretty young for an 01, but still, better safe than sorry.

Welcome to the madness!

[Bl4z3]

Welcome! Can't wait to see the pics!

[wake]

Welcome fellow Illinois member, yes always run premium!

where ya from?

[rrings]

Nauvoo, Il and I got some pictures up in the pics forum!

[wake]

way out there on the edge by the Mississippi river huh?

pretty good looking bonneville you have there

[rrings]

I live just off the mississippi river. It's about 3 miles straight west and 4 miles straight north. I drove close to your stompin grounds to get my Bonnie. It was in Tinley Park IL.

[SSEiMan01]

I live just off the mississippi river. It's about 3 miles straight west and 4 miles straight north. I drove close to your stompin grounds to get my Bonnie. It was in Tinley Park IL.

I live in Orland Park!! That's the town right next to Tinley! Which dealer??

I'm at school in Bloomington-Normal right now.

[SSEiMan01]

Wait a second... I looked at the pics. I'm pretty sure I recognize that car... Did you buy it from a private seller on Harlem Ave at about 183rd street??

[wake]

next time your up this way be sure to post it before hand

[rrings]

Yes! off of Harlem Avenue close to 183rd. Right off the Interstate. Found it on Craigslist.

[SSEiMan01]

Wow! I knew it looked familiar... I looked at that car once. I drive past that intersection all the time on my way to and from B-N. I knew it when I saw you had to buy new center caps, cause there was only like one 01 cap on it, and I recognized the bra. (I assume it is covering hood herpes.) Good deal either way though! Cleaned up great!

[ricosuave420]

glad to hear you joined the club, ive had a 1993 ssei since the day it rolled off the assembily line, and we still love it to death, just letting you know you are going to love your bonneville