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Well, I'm scheduled to hit the dyno this coming Monday. What a rush. I've finished with a lot more modifications on the air box. It's done now. I have taken before and after pictures and I really think the box will perform better than the first time. I also hope to get the pictures and everything on the caddyinfo.com site as well. Hopefully that torque curve will flatten out even more.
I'll test the granatelli mass air flow meter too I hope. I have to admit, it is just a modified unit from the dealer. The screen is removed and it was somewhat crudely bored out. It has been recalibrated for the greater flow capabilities. The fuel/air ratio's are to stay the same I think. Just more fuel for the additional air. I think the dyno can monitor what is happening with that too. I'm really wondering about this thing now.
Cat back system - I called Corsa, and they are still busy with "meat and potato" truck stuff. I hassled them to doing something I hope. If any of you is really interested in a stainless steel cat-back for the Aurora, go to http://www.corsaperf.com and drop Jim Browning Jr. an e-mail. He said they have a request for a 2001 Aurora as well. Perhaps I'm the only nut here that wants this bad.
The CD Changer cable you need is one that actually plugs between your stereo and the factory harness. It basically splits off the wires for the CD changer and runs them to the trunk. The cable you got is probably one for a Chevy. Those are different.
This is the cable you need:
http://store3.yimg.com/I/electronman_1648_4667718
This is probably the cable you have:
http://store3.yimg.com/I/electronman_1648_648913
I would keep an eye on ebay for them. If you want, I can give you a link to a place that sells them (e-mail me ryan@shucknet.com since edmunds doesn't like it if I say where to buy it here) but they are expensive ($75) from those guys. I got mine off ebay for about $35.
Also, if I could get that for 2K, then I'll have a whole backup Aurora for later
For Aurora Bill: "luxury-sport-galaxy cruiser" . Is that the official EPA class description? Great description.
The Intrigue is more Intrepid Class.
I was at home today when the car did the unnerving 1/2 second delayed crank.
Anybody have ANY ideas????
Henri
Has anybody removed the console?? I think you start by removing the screws in the middle compartment. I'd love to get at the clear plastic lens over the R-N-D-3-2-1 display. It has some crud on the back side. Any suggestions as to taking this apart for cleaning?? Anybody done it?
Also - If I could get some 2001/02 Aurora 17 inch chrome, what tire size will match the stock 235/60/16's on the 98? The brochure for 2001 lists the 17's as being 235/55's. Are these the same height as my stock wheels and tires?
I'm having the junk yard do a computer search. I'll bet the dealer would want over 2k for them. What would be a "fair" price? Under 1k?
Something tells me it will be hard to find these wheels. I'd love to do it. They look great and are "Olds".
See if you can contact the seller.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/aw-cgi/ebayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=596638264&r=0&t=0
I would recommend Goodyear Eagle RS-As or some sort of Michelin V or Z rated tire. I can't stand driving S rated tires anymore, the sidewalls have too much flex in curves and you can just feel the tires rolling on the side. Not to mention, the RS-As look really nice, but the LSs are pretty plain.
Console - I had part of mine apart, but never got into the shifter. If you get into it, let me know cuz I want to clean mine out and fix a little broken plastic piece. You start in the console itself and remove the interior, then there are some snaps under the wood trim that hold it together there. I didn't get it all the way out, so I can't help you much past there. I can look in my service manual and give you better instructions if you need it though.
Henri
I saw this link here on Edmunds on an oil dicussion and it is great. Check out how different motor oils perform. I really think the Mobile 1 is worth the money after reading this. For those that are battling oil consumption, It seems that the AMSOIL may edge out the M1 too. Both seem to be great. Of interest is that these two synthetics will leave behind virtually no deposits.
http://www.f-body.org/oldfaq/html/tech/sect2.html#chooseoil
I plan to cover my most recent repair, an Intrigue loaner car, my 30 minutes in a 2001 Aurora 4.0, pricing on the new ones and more.
REPAIR: My '95 ($98,000) was occasionally stalling at stoplights, I needed to give the accelerator some gas before it would start (instead of auto-start) and the transmission would thump in its downshift at low speeds (below 25 mph), plus it would occasionally surge forward around curves at about 15 mph.
My regular mechanic tried re programming the chip, and it didn't help much. At his recommendation I took it to an Olds dealer and low and behold -it was one simple part - the fuel pump regulator (17113398, $140 + 1.2 hours labor). Drives great now.
INTRIGUING: The dealer loaned my a 98 Intrigue (42,000 miles) with the 3.5 engine (I don't know which specific model of Intrigue or its HP). I was not impressed. Maybe it was a downscale, stripped model, but it felt like it came from the Chevy Citation factory. Many knobs had a cheap feel. The Interior looks and feels very basic. Even the cloth seats were a poor substitute for what I had in my 88 Chevy Corsica.
The engine performance was average for a car of this class. It was very smooth and quiet, but no muscle or sweet spot. Maybe I'm too spoiled with the amenities of the Aurora to ever go back.
FINALLY - the REVAMPED 01/02: On the way back from dealer repair, I said to myself, "why don't I finally take a test drive, even though I'm not really in the market? The dealer salesman got my a 4.0 and we drove locally and on the highway.
There is so much about this car that it similar to the 95-99. I didn't feel the space either wanting or much different in the interior or trunk.
I was surprised to see some wrinkles on the doors leather, I don't know whether this is intentional or not, but I'd think I'd rather have smooth.
The basic (non-Bose) radio is a bit improved in overall sound, but some of the buttons have been removed a probably need to be accessed via some menu. I hope they haven't removed the bass, treble, and balance controls.
The overall performance and handling is very similar to the 95-99 to my perception, although everything is tighter on a new car, of course.
The engine performance is claimed to 8 seconds for the 4.0 and about 8.6 or 7 for the 3.5. This car definitely has a better acceleration that the legacys, but not enough to cause a thrill. That, for me seems to be reserved for the SLS-STS. (Others might require a Corvette?). I would peg this car's performance between a legacy and an SLS. The composite 0-60 numbers I keep (which are only accurate within the limits of my own mind) are about 6.6 - 6.7 on an SLS, about 8.5 on a Legacy, and about 7.7-7.9 on an 01 or 02.
The car strikes me as being balanced and for the money, I'd say ... well let's talk money.
$$: When I returned to the dealership the salesman was anxious to run some numbers by me. The first bad new item was that they were only going to offer me $3,500 for mine! Ouch. I figured maybe $5K. Oh well. After feeling that barb, he showed me figures on both a 01 and 02. Way too high, IMV.
While I didn't write them down, I can give you approximations. The 4.0 '01 with sunroof and heated seats, but no Bose listed for $37+. With my car as trade in, it would cost $31K.
The 02 without sunroof and heated seats was going to be up at similar list. He claims just a $2.2K spread between Invoice and list. I mentioned to him that SLSs were going for $5k off of list.
There is a 0 percent finance on all 01's, btw. There percentage of finance on 02's depends on how many years. You can take $2K off instead of low financing.
With my legacy performing well, the test drive satisfying, but not compelling, the list and invoice of new Auroras not too enticing, and the low trade-in of my 95, there were many reasons to "sit tight". If the deals get better in the coming month or year, I may still go for a new one, and I told this to the salesperson.
My overall experience with the salesperson was a positive one, although I became increasingly annoyed when he left my unattended for 5 minutes at a stretch three times so he could confer with "whoever" about pricing. He actually made 2 mistakes which while probably not intentional, caused me to lose a bit of confidence in dealing with him.
I know this is a fantasy scenario, but if they had offered my, say $5k for the 95 and the $37 list was down to $32 - and I could do the deal for $27, I might have thought about it.
INTERESTING STORY: While returning from the test drive I asked the salesman about people who trade-in every year or so and told me about an interesting (and clearly obsessive) individual at his dealership. There's a guy who trades in has cars every 90 days. Can you believe it? Now hear this one, this same guy, bought a 01 Chevy SUV (Listed for $25-28K maybe), drove it 100 (that's one hundred) miles and traded it in. The residual trade-in was only $12K! Makes me feel better about my 95.
A dealer can not sell it as a demo, it must be sold as a used car.
AURORABILL
Not sure I heard the analysis I was looking for though.
Obviously, everybody likes the V-8. So do I, I 'm sure.
The price difference, to me, is significant.
It may well be that the true engine delta isn't that much if you adjust for all the other stuff.
I wasn't going to get much of that other stuff anyway.
I would like the 17" wheels, but aside from that....traction control, PCS and Monsoon should do it.
If I decide to get the collector version, they will be availbale cheap on the lots in a couple of years.
Right now, I ned to replace my 99 Intrigue coming off of lease.
I figure with the finacing deals available, I can buy the 2002 3.5 for about $450/month x60.
That works out to around a lease payment but it buys the car and it has full warranty the full term.
I guess no one here owns one. Not sure how representative a rental experience might be, especially with a full load as was discussed.
I know it isn't going to be like a V-8...
Curious, how many miles do you have on yours as $3500.00 trade value seems awfully low, I sold my 93 Saturn with 96k miles for $3400.00 after I bought the 95.
Also test drove a 2002 4.0 while I had my olds van in for an alignment, same place I bought the 95. They simply handed me the keys and said "go have some fun" and I took the 2002 out for a drive on my own.
I too was surprised at how similar the interior looked and especially felt to the 95. And although tighter, a bit more responsive in both acceleration and handling, it just wasn't a big enough improvement to consider the $37K sticker.
Fortunately for me, the salesman knows me and didn't even bother to pitch me. Instead he just said that if I liked it, down the road they'd be available used at bargain prices, just like my 95 was.
When I got back in the 95 I liked it even more, (something about not having a payment book makes any car more enjoyable.)
Also had a 2002 Buick Park Avenue as a rental for a week in Florida, only 1K miles on it. Nice car, definitely top of the line, but honestly, the 95 is nicer all the way around.
I will enjoy the 95 as time passes and the 01/02's move to the irrationally low price points. Then I can plunk down some green and smile on the way home.
If so, what do you think of it?
If not, since this is the Aurora board, can anyone direct me to a place where I might get some first hand information?
Or is this, as it appears the Aurora V-8 only board?
Thanks for your comments and sharing your story. In my article', I said that my 95 had: ($98,000). I see that the high performance luxury ride of my '95 had you fooled into thinking it was worth $98,000. Thanks but it has 98,000 miles; sorry for the typo.
Yeah, truth be told -- my prediction is that in about one year to 18 months the 2001 will be selling on the used market for high teens and the 2002 for low twenties. Some might think that optimistic for what will be a defunct Olds division. That will be a good time for us 95-ers with 120-130 miles and wholesale value under $2,000 to consider these models.
Aurorabill
My opinion is that the Aurora should have the 4.0. It's just a heavy car that needs the extra muscle. The engine is the Northstar 4.6 with just a smaller bore. The new Aurora 4.0's all have the 3.71 transaxle that the Caddy STS has as well. So if you step up to the 4.0 you are really getting the very best engine GM makes - with the Indy racing history too. Sorry about pitching the V8. I just can't help it.
I'm really starting to like the 2001, 2002 Aurora. Those deals you guys forcast will eventually become a reality for sure. In the future, I just may pick up one for the wife if I can find one with very low miles. Perhaps I'll still have the 98 (Embalmed in Mobile 1 and otherwise preserved due to insane attention). Two Auroras would be very cool.
I still hope someone has the answer as to how to get the console apart.
You said: It sounds like you might want to dump your regular mechanic. Given the symptoms you were having the fuel pressure regulator should have been the first thing checked.(common aurora problem)"
I say: I am going to give my mechanic "one chance" at solving problems that come up in the future. He has been my mechanic and accommodated me (Like 3 weeks ago when I left my Aurora on his lot at 11:30 pm) and this recent problem is the only thing that caused me to lose total confidence.
I now recognize that there are certain areas which would be better left to Olds specialists, like the ones at the dealer I went to. They work on, say 60-80 Auroras per month. My mechanic sees the same 2-3 per year. (FWIW, my mechanic read 10 pages of my notes on Aurora performance enhancements which I composited from this list.) He's less than one mile away. He will give me a lift home or to my office. The dealer is 16 miles away, but he gave me a loaner car, so I didn't have to borrow my dad's car.
I can't believe how nice it is to have the 'old car' back. By that I mean the car in its usual behavior: Luxury, Sport, Crusiser. Black on graphite. General public thinks its a few year old $35,000 car. NOT A $3,500 trade-in!
Aurorabill
On a similar note, there is a lot of dust on the back side of my clear dash plastic. Is that removable? I'd love to clean it out.
High milage: I rolled 196,000 miles last week on my 1995. My driving has dropped off a bit, but I may reach 200,000 before the end of this year. Since I just put new Yokohama tires on it, I now want to see at least 250,000 miles on it before it is replaced (probably with a 1997 or newer pearl white).
A while back I posted about problems with my CD changer. It refused to play CDs when the temperature dropped. I was about to send it in for a $300+ repair when I decided to take a look at it. I popped the covers off and watched the changer action - it worked fine. I wiped the laser with a Q-tip and my problems were solved!
Dan
My experience with the V-6 has been excellent, so far. I've put on 11,000 miles since April 4, 2001 with no surprises and just one very minor problem. I have an occasional moan from the power steering unit when just starting a dry turn, like backing up from a parallel parking spot. The dealer couldn't reproduce the sound, and the fluid's full, so I don't feel an urgent need to investigate and fix the moan.
Delivered defects - None. Build date in March 2001.
Problems in first 6 months - Just the one noted above, and it happens only occasionally.
Buyer's remorse - None.
Modifications - None, except I replaced the original oil at 1500 miles with Mobil 1 synthetic.
vs. V-8 - I test drove both. Liked both. Mostly the $$ made the decision for me, since I'm not really a performance enthusiast. The other factor was that I have a 17-year old high school senior in the house. I'd rather not have him testing the car's limits when I let him drive it. I know that people can speed even with a puny four banger, but I think it's undeniable that there's more temptation when you have more engine.
vs V-8 - - If you're more interested in the "luxury" aspects of the car than the "performance" aspects, then the cars are essentially the same once you add the options you want. I mean, the cabin layouts, the materials, the feel inside are identical. (I realize that the V-8's quicker acceleration could be considered, in a way, a "luxury" feature that the V-6 can't match.)
vs. V-8 - - The V-6 will climb the mild mountain grades in western North Carolina at 70+ mph with no problem. What more could you (legally)want? I suspect there would be a difference in passing situations, though. Someone earlier commented that the V-6 would go, when asked, but the V-8 would "launch" the car. I can't confirm from first hand, side-by-side experience, but I suspect it's something like the difference between Scotty saying, "Aye, Captain Kirk, she'll give you warp 8, for a while." , and Captain Picard saying, "Warp 8. Make it so, Number One." I suspect in passing situations this just means that with the V-6 you would have to plan your pass, just like most of us grew up doing, anyway. But with a V-8, you just decide to pass, and it happens. I confess that that difference has some appeal for me, just not several thousand dollars worth.
vs. V-8 - - I do like the V-8 trunk lid better without the extra licence plate molding.
vs. V-8 - - 16" vs 17" wheels - no biggee for me.
As in other areas of my life, my Aurora opinions may not be well reasoned or constructive, but they're certainly my opinions.
And since I have experienced the Shortstar in my Intrigue, I am aware of what it is capable of.
Any other first hand Aurora 3.5 input would be much appreciated...
Console - the part of mine that is broken is actually the black piece of plastic that covers the groove in the shifter. When I put the car in drive, you can see into the top of the shifter slot on the console. Kinda ugly, but the dealer said I'd need to buy the whole assembly to fix it and they quoted me a price of $795. I told them they could take that console and stick it in an undisclosed part of their body.
Going to fix it sometime - it will be easy. The tough part is getting it out. Have to remove the whole back seat and rear pillar flashing in order to get it out - yuck.
Rocket3 - very well reasoned I'd say. Glad you are doing so good with the 3.5.
Shucknet - yeah, the dealer told me the same about the console. I wanted to replace the clear plastic over the gear indicator and they said I had to buy the whole thing for about $800 or something like that. I had a deep scratch in the plastic. I rubbed it out with a little dab of Meguires mirror glaze No.7. I had to repeat the process a lot, but the scratch is gone.
Wheels - I called the company auctioning the Aurora chrome 17's on e-bay. They said they buy from the factory and currently have 13 sets of the 17's - brand new. He said he would let me have a set of 4 including center caps for $740. $40 to ship. That sounds like a great deal. I think he may have a hard time getting rid of all those. I really think the Clasic with the chrome 17's would be tough.
DYNO - Well I screwed up today. First run was with the stock air box and paper again just for the benchmark. The weather seemed the same as last time, but at least 5 or 6 degrees cooler. The Dynojet was still using the .98 correction factor as last time. The day was sunny with high pressure. The Aurora pumped out 3 more HP - up to a little over 192 at the wheels. Because the correction factor was the same (and only seems to keep you in the ballpark for big weather differences) I attribute the extra power to the cooler air.
Big mistake - I left the engine running (wanted to keep coolant flowing to keep things cool) while dismantling the air box. I set off the "service engine soon" when I pulled the air temp plug with everything alive. My power on future runs was no better than stock - even worse. When we looked the air/fuel mixture, it was noted that it was too rich - much more than the initial run. So we reset the computer and killed the warning light and ran again. It did better, but was still running a bit richer than initially. We decided to call it a day, and let the computer adjust and recalibrate itself the next week or so. The Mass air flow sensor is still in the box too. Oh well.
Next time I'll turn the engine off - like I did the first time.
Any comments on this unfortunate day on the dyno are welcome. If anything, it was interesting.
I can handle the radio Theft Lock.
Now to my problem: the service manual describes using a scan tool to perform the TP sensor / idle learn procedure. I do not have a scan tool. What are my alternatives?
If it is a big hit I am thinking of a 3rd party warranty. Any suggestion on warranty companies ?
Blk97-I just had the battery replaced on my 95,installed cost at the dealer $120.00. I watched as it was done and it was a straight replacement with only the date on the DIC being reset. Maybe it is different on a 97, but on the 95 nothing was affected.
I believe Oldsmobile has a service bulletin published for this exact repair. It is what lists the parts you need to order, but a parts counter guy should be able to pull up the fiche for you to figure it out. http://www.alldata.com can give you a copy of the service bulletin, but it appears you have to subscribe to see it. I was able to get a list of them and have the Olds dealer print it out for me.
I think (but I haven't verified this yet) the disassembly process starts with removing the interior of the arm rest storage area, and removal of the shift lever (be careful of the performance button wiring).
If you are going to do this yourself, I would be happy to disassembly mine again and write up the procedure for you. Just let me know, and of course I cannot be held liable for any problems you have as a result of following my directions, blah, blah, blah.
BTW, my car is a 1995 Aurora.
Dan
Shucknet - I'm still considering it. I think I'll do it though.
Daeven - I'd love to know how to pull that console apart just to clean the smears and crud on the back side of the clear plastic. (dealer replaced the bulb once and smudged it up) That would be really kind of you, but don't go through too much trouble.
Just an idea, you can get the lens over the dash for about $12. I had the dealer replace it (previous knucklehead owner must have used some Brawny paper towels or Brillo to "clean" it). That may be an easy job too that would really make the car new inside. The guys at the dealership smudged that too a bit on the inside face when putting it in. I'd recommend figuring out how to change it yourself.
Daeven - that's the part I'm talking about. I wouldn't mind cleaning the shift indicator, too but don't know if that's possible. I think I need the bulb replaced in that thing, too.
I also would love to replace the plastic over my instrument cluster. It's somewhat scratched. I've also got a burnt out light behind the cluster. Anyone had to replace these? My 92 toronado had one do that in the CD player and I had to solder a new one on the back of the circuit board for that. Hopefully this one is easier than that.
I had the dealer do the light in the shifter diplay (warranty). It should light up a bright orange. They actually cleaned the backside of the clear plastic over the gear indicator too, but also left behind greasy smudges that seem to have discolored more with time. That's why I'd love to get at it again.
Thanks to those of you who gave me advice on replacing the battery. I was concerned with what I read in the service manual about the TP sensor / idle learn procedure. After giving it some thought overnight, I came up with what is probably a very obvious solution. I connected a portable jump-start battery (usually carried in my wife's minivan) to the battery terminal and ground under the hood. I figured that there would be no disruption of voltage as I disconnected the Aurora battery. My results still puzzle me. I did not lose the radio presets nor DIC information; radio TheftLock was not activated, BUT the clock reset to 1:00 AM. When I started the engine, it seemed to hunt for idle for 10 to 15 seconds, then settled down. I drove it a few miles and everything seems fine.
silotwo: my experience seems to mirror yours. I would probably have gone the dealer route for $120, but I no longer have a local Olds dealer (parted ways with GM in April and is now exclusively BMW), and my local Pontiac dealer wanted $150 for the battery (not including installation).
BTW, that battery is a heavy sucker -- 55 pounds. When I checked the internet for batteries, it showed up as ACDelco's heaviest auto battery. The others were in the 30 and low 40 pound range.
Blk97 - thanks for the description. It sounds tricky. After what I did, my confidence is low anyway. Well I disconnected the battery to try and help the computer reset after I apparently got it a bit confused. I hope there are no bad surprises when I hook it back up. I'm not sure what I should be concerned about with the idle and such. Well I'll find out in the morning I guess.
The shift indicator is supposed to be illuminated so that it's bright orange when the full headlamps are on. This didn't work on my car, and the dealer I bought the car from (used) tried to repair it twice, before they figured out that the fuse was blown, and that's why it didn't illuminate. With this fuse out, the accessory power outlet didn't work either. So, test your accessory power outlet - if it doesn't work, the problem's a fuse, otherwise it's the bulb or the wiring (which my dealer did solder as well, in their first attempt to fix the problem).
Onto other common (minor) Aurora problems, on both my mother-in-law's and my own '98's, both of the cornering lamps in the front (on both sides) have had to be replaced due to moisture getting in them. Also, both of us have had the rear bumper come loose behind the rear wheels/had to be re-tightened.
M-I-L's steering is now intermittently making a groan when she turns left. Of course, it seems to always happen when she gets off work (GM Janesville Plant) at 2 a.m., but it's fine when she takes it to the dealership...
--Robert
1) The operating temperature of the Aurora
2) The battery life
3) The air box modifications
4) The rear window seal
5) The stereo (i.e replacing, fixing, adding trunk
mounted CD player)
6) the stalling/surging issue
7) The check engine light (EGR valve)
8) Cleaning behind the console
9) The garage door opener control and the
"red light"
Come on guys, I know there are a few I left out.
(Hey Neo, I am just joking with you/us.)
was in the shop.
By the way, it's great to see all of the activity on this board the last week - our status is sliding back up the owner's club list. Way to go!