What other parts could I have missssed changing?

[Buick350X]

What other parts could I have missssed changing?

 

2.5 Forest AWD

 

just learned the pit falls of random loss of oil fro ma gummed up PCV valve.

 

What other parts do folks easily miss.

 

These new cars run so well on even bad parts its hard to tell when its time.

I member when I did plugs and itdidn't run any better but mileage picked up.

But it never ran different.

 

My Buick never fails to let me know when a part is not up to par.

I got no money on my cc to prove it.

[Though chirpin 1-2 2-3 shift in a full frame 4 ton wagon is to cool.]

[Buick350X]

Have done the brakes several times, a few tune ups, plugs n wires, have changed all the fluids lastyear, trans, diff and sucks. Lots of oil changes from losing oil, plus filters. tires, 1 right front wheel bearing....

 

Needs a bank 3 O2 sensor but the threads stripped out and the uni Ucrimp connection one I don't think ground well.

 

Which might mean a new cat just so it screws in right.

But Id bet id end up replaceing more then it, after 120k the whole exhaust looks like its ready to be changed.

[four-fleet-feet]

A few other things to do:

 

You changed your coolant, but did you get a new OEM radiator cap? After 7 years I'll bet you need one, even if your old cap looks OK. Just buy it. Trust me. And did you check your rad hoses? They don't last forever; changing them now is MUCH better than having one blow out... BTDT. (It'll happen when you're out of cell range, it always does... when you can't possibly be late. The little buggers are designed to fail that way. )

 

Go over all your vacuum lines; they do crack, and they're not really expensive if you catch it now rather than later when your mileage is in the toilet and you're failing emissions. If the part's the same on the 06-07 models, look around junkyards for them. Save some cash - in 2 years they're not shot unless the engine was totaled and that's the reason for the JY burial. I wouldn't buy them older than 03 if you can't find a newer donor.

 

Fluids? Did you change the power steering fluid? Easy enough to do on your own with a turkey baster (buy one just for car use and mark it well with big black X marks or somesuch). Same for brake fluid, but if you don't know how to bleed your lines, ixnay until you have a helper who does, or find a place to do it for you.

 

I know you said filters, but if you haven't looked at your air filter lately, now would be good. A new air filter is good insurance when you're driving in smog and heat. I never let mine go the 12K interval. For the price, changing it at 6K is worth it, and if you drive in heavy industrial areas, 4K is not unreasonable. Driving in areas with sandstorms? Hit one or two and 4K is the max! (yeah, I know, Ohio doesn't get many of those, but it's summer travel season)

 

You could take a look at your radiator and condenser fins and see if they're gunked up with plantlife; dandelion tufts and cottonwood fuzz comes to mind. If so, get it off or your A/C will have to work harder and your radiator with it.

 

I know, all these things sound little and unnecessary. But, as you learned with the PCV valve, sometimes the littlest things can cause big headaches. Dragon's first present (on Christmas Eve, no less, the day I got her) was a PCV valve. I learned my lesson on those little critters a LONG way back...