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Couple Dumb Questions


jessep28
05-10-2006, 04:50 PM
00' Grand Prix GT- 54k

1) I am noticing small cracks in my serpentine belt (GM pointed it out too). Is it the best route to go Delco? If not, what is the best aftermarket belt I should get? Proper size?


2) I had it into GM for an oil change and they recommended power steering flush. At that mil age, is it necessary? I believe owners manual stated 45k, so I say yes.

Of course they were kind enough to quote me $200 all together for both belt and flush. I know belt cost and labor are out of line, but PS flush? I unfortunately don't have the knowhow or tools to do either repair. Sucks for me :lol:

Thanks again.

GTP Dad
05-10-2006, 05:30 PM
The serpentine belt probably needs changed as if there are cracks it may fail on you. The Goodyear Gatorback belt is one of the better belts for the application but most of the aftermarket manufacturers make good belts too. The standard size will work just fine just tell the clerk at the autoparts store what the application is. The GM belt is acceptable but it is expensive. As for the power steering flush it will increase the life of the rack but that decision is up to you. I have had some very high mileage cars and never flushed on yet. So as they say "you make the call." IMO get the belt changed and leave the power steering alone just top off the fluid!

BNaylor
05-10-2006, 05:55 PM
I agree with Lynn. You can't go wrong with a GoodYear Gatorback Poly V belt. PN: 4060915. My second chocie is Gates.

Same here. I have never had a power steering flush done on any of my cars.

richtazz
05-11-2006, 05:59 AM
I'll third what Lynn and Bob said. Goodyear is an excellent belt, and if your original is starting to crack, it will only get worse. The power steering flush is not necessary, unless a system component failed and got metal in the fluid. If your car had over 150k and fluid looked really nasty, you could use an old turkey baster (make sure you don't borrow the wife's good one) to siphon out the old fluid and replace what is in the reservoir. Since the P/S pump is in such a lovely spot on our cars, I'd leave it alone, especially at 54k.

wlkjr
05-11-2006, 09:36 AM
I've never done anything to my power steering but add a little fluid and only one belt in 9 years and that was for maintenance.

BNaylor
05-11-2006, 09:38 AM
I've never done anything to my power steering but add a little fluid and only one belt in 9 years and that was for maintainence.

And your current mileage on the odometer is _________?

I can never get over that. Simply amazing!

wlkjr
05-11-2006, 09:39 AM
And your current mileage on the odometer is _________?

306,000 miles
I edited my sig to reflect that.

BNaylor
05-11-2006, 09:42 AM
306,000 miles
I edited my sig to reflect that.

Its what they call a milestone. :lol:

wlkjr
05-11-2006, 09:43 AM
And your current mileage on the odometer is _________?

I can never get over that. Simply amazing!

I must have gotten the good one out of the batch. I can't relate to all the problems that some have with theirs. I do have a few small things occasionally but nothing major or that has left me stranded. I would love to have another one just like it.

BNaylor
05-11-2006, 09:50 AM
I must have gotten the good one out of the batch. I can't relate to all the problems that some have with theirs. I do have a few small things occasionally but nothing major or that has left me stranded. I would love to have another one just like it.

Our GPs are about the same age but I have under 92K miles.

When I checked the NADA suggested average retail my eyeballs nearly popped out for the mileage credit for resale value.

jessep28
05-11-2006, 09:52 AM
Would a serpentine belt going bad cause abnormal engine vibration on fan operation? It's the same abnormal vibration on all fan settings, AC/NO AC etc.

Just noticed that this morning. Thanks loyal Grand Prix... :)

wlkjr
05-11-2006, 09:57 AM
Our GPs are about the same age but I have under 92K miles.

When I checked the NADA suggested average retail my eyeballs nearly popped out for the mileage credit for resale value.

Mine is probably worth about 35 cents wholesale. I have mainly been the only driver and have kept it clean. It looks almost new inside and the body has no dents or big scratches. I do have a windshield that has been cracked for over seven years but it's low and not in my vision so I have chosen not to have it removed. I'm afraid it might start leaking as I had the rear glass on my Grand Am replaced and it leaked until I had to pay out of my pocket to have it resealed. I did have to have both headlight assemblies replaced and that's the only external problems. I love driving this car and I'm going to keep it until it gives up the ghost. I'm even considering having a new motor put in when it expires.

wlkjr
05-11-2006, 10:01 AM
Would a serpentine belt going bad cause abnormal engine vibration on fan operation? It's the same abnormal vibration on all fan settings, AC/NO AC etc.

Just noticed that this morning. Thanks loyal Grand Prix... :)

I don't think so. More likely to have a bad idler pulley. That's the one that puts tension on the belt. They do wear out the bearings and create a ridge around the circumference. But yours sound more like a bad blower motor.

wlkjr
05-11-2006, 10:08 AM
You have to watch out for dealers when you have them serviced. I have never had mine in for any kind of service that they did start making all kinds of suggestions of things I needed to have done. Even had them charge me for an oil filter and change on a Monte Carlo once when I was having warranty work done for a carburetor problem. They did remove that charge but wouldn't have if I hadn't raised a ruckus.

richtazz
05-11-2006, 10:15 AM
I agree with wlkjr, a heater fan vibration sounds like a blower motor issue. It's possible there is just some debris in the fan, causing it to be unbalanced. It's a fairly common problem on our cars. When you clean/replace the motor, install a cabin air filter from a same year Regal. GP's didn't come with them, but the slot is there for it. It will help keep moisture, dust and debris out of your motor, prolonging it's life.

jessep28
05-13-2006, 01:36 PM
I have a Delco parts dealer in town (not inside GM dealer). Will parts be the same as from the dealer? Will parts still be GM list typically? I can only assume yes.

Also, as mentioned above, I am certain my blower motor started going out. Is this a Delco only recommended part or are there quality aftermarket blower motors out there?

When looking at blower motors, there is a 1st and 2nd revision. What's the difference? My 00' GT doesn't have auto or dual climate control.

BNaylor
05-13-2006, 01:53 PM
I'm quite sure for your year and model GP you'll need the 2nd design blower which is GM Part No. 52487083 for manual HVAC.

Normally GM OEM parts will be less expensive at a AC Delco authorized parts store but not always. The parts are genuine GM/AC Delco. Check the GM retail price like on GMPartsDirect.com and then compare so you don't get ripped off.

I prefer the GM blowers but I know people with aftermarket and they seem to work OK.

jessep28
05-13-2006, 10:43 PM
What did they change when they went to the 2nd design?

BNaylor
05-14-2006, 12:02 AM
What did they change when they went to the 2nd design?

I double checked my documentation and I see the 1st and 2nd design for a 2000 Grand Prix was applicable only to the ATC/automatic temperature control not the manual. Some component changed. The part number above is correct for your model and year.

jessep28
05-16-2006, 01:14 AM
It ended up being a couple plastic pieces that somehow got in the blower and caused it to go off balance. I will get pictures of the pieces tomorrow hopefully for indentification. Maybe from recent cowl repair to stop leak.

Also I had the serpentine belt replaced. Is minor noise common with a new belt such as high pitched noise when cold? I also noticed tonight squeeling sound during one warm startup. After startup, everything runs normal. I shut engine off when I got home, restarted after 2 minutes and did NOT reproduce the startup noise.

I'm just wondering if its something in the tension I need to take it back and have readjusted.

wlkjr
05-16-2006, 06:36 AM
Sounds like you may have a worn bearing on either your idler pulley, waterpump, or alternator.

richtazz
05-16-2006, 07:57 AM
On the blower motor, there IS a first and second design for both manual and climate control a/c, and the way to tell them apart is by the GM service number on the OEM motor.
OEM # 52481315 (1st design) = AC Delco 15-8949 (GM # 52489321)
OEM # 52486835 (2nd design) = AC-Delco 15-8880 (GM # 52487083)
These numbers are for manual a/c, and there are two more part numbers for climate control a/c

BNaylor
05-16-2006, 08:44 AM
On the blower motor, there IS a first and second design for both manual and climate control a/c, and the way to tell them apart is by the GM service number on the OEM motor.
OEM # 52481315 (1st design) = AC Delco 15-8949 (GM # 52489321)
OEM # 52486835 (2nd design) = AC-Delco 15-8880 (GM # 52487083)
These numbers are for manual a/c, and there are two more part numbers for climate control a/c

There is on the HVACs for auto as stated above but not on the manual climate control for the 2000 models. There is a discrepancy in GM's documentation and I'm assuming you're going off your computer and not real world facts. The 2000 with manual only had the blower motor with part number 52487083. I went through this issue with another member on AF before and it has been well discussed on ClubGP. Checkout a Mitchell's parts guide and you'll see what I am talking about. In other words no 2000 model Grand Prix with manual HVAC ever had an alleged first design blower motor.

jessep28
05-16-2006, 10:31 PM
I think it's either normal noise or something different. I opened the hood, started the car and nothing sounds abnormal on the pass side around the belt. I do hear a tonelike sound (like one of the higher pitched tones the ear doctor gives to you in a hearing test) on the drivers side in the airbox vacinity.

richtazz
05-17-2006, 04:16 PM
I was stating what the GM computer lists. It may be extremely rare, but two numbers do exist. They look very similar, even on AC-Delco's website picture, but for RPO codes C60 (manual control) or C67 (electronic controls) it lists the two numbers above. For RPO code CJ2 (auto climate control) it lists two more numbers (15-8950 and 15-8940). The one odd thing I did notice, the only mention of the C67 option code is for the blower motor. I cannot get it to show what else is different between the C60 and C67, only the C60(manual) or CJ2 (climate control). If anyone can clarify, please do, as it doesn't make sense.

BNaylor
05-17-2006, 05:54 PM
I was stating what the GM computer lists. It may be extremely rare, but two numbers do exist. They look very similar, even on AC-Delco's website picture, but for RPO codes C60 (manual control) or C67 (electronic controls) it lists the two numbers above. For RPO code CJ2 (auto climate control) it lists two more numbers (15-8950 and 15-8940). The one odd thing I did notice, the only mention of the C67 option code is for the blower motor. I cannot get it to show what else is different between the C60 and C67, only the C60(manual) or CJ2 (climate control). If anyone can clarify, please do, as it doesn't make sense.

Yes Rich I agree. A lot of gray areas and confusing at best. As you can see it is not that cut and dry. Of course, only in reference to 2000 models.

Here is a link the Mitchell Parts Guide for a 97 - 02 Grand Prix in Adobe PDF format. It came off the presses back in 2002. It must not have been a big concern back then as far as alleged 1st & 2nd design blower motor for manual HVAC because I'm quite sure Mitchell would have made the annotation. This is the same listing all the ClubGP goers use and it was accurate until GM decided to change certain part numbers. But still useful.

BTW - Mitchell is what GMPartsDirect.com uses to power its part listings for various GM cars. After it loads scroll down to the HVAC section page 860 and you'll see what I was referring to.

*****56K WARNING*****

www.aogusma.org/soc/elpaso/archive/9702gpparts.pdf

BIGPROFITT
05-17-2006, 10:43 PM
Hey I purchased some belts from this place: http://stores.ebay.com/Superior-Automotive-Warehouse


Really good price, service, shipping, etc...

richtazz
05-18-2006, 07:46 AM
Thanks Bob, that does show only one for manual a/c, but I'd still check the OEM label part number if it were mine, because with my luck, I'd have the 1 in a million odd ball motor. With what you say is being said at clubGP, it's a good chance there is only one, as I'd trust those guys and you over the stupid catalog system. You use common sense.

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