2005 and Earlier Chevrolet Impala

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Comments

  • 00impala00impala Member Posts: 474
    Just today after reading your post I remembered a small article I read in the September issue of Popular Mechanics in the small area they list one or 2 current TSB's on newer cars.

    Here it goes..........

    " Got a plastic-tanked aluminum radiator on your 1999-2000 GM car or light truck? If you do, and the engine runs hot, overheats or loses coolant regularly, the problem may not be the plastic end tank, but an imperfection in the sealing surface of the plastic filler neck where it seals to the gasket on the filler cap. To cure this, lightly sand the filler-neck sealing surface with 400-grit sandpaper and a block of wood to true it up, and then replace the filler cap. TSB 00-06-02-001"

    How is that for total recall? I read it just today before you mentioned the water near your battery and the filler cap is adjacent/ next to the Battery. Might be your Dillema? Your Welcome! Don
  • yurakmyurakm Member Posts: 1,345
    I bought a Regal GS a year ago. My wife and I want Impala at first. We test drove it, both in the base (weak engine and brakes) and the LS trims, but after test driving the Regal, its superchaged engine won us.

    Would we trade the car now for Impala with 300+hp V8? Definitely not. The Buick probably will be usable for 15 - 20 years.

    Not even will we trade our other car, a smaller and less powerful 98 Malibu. Plan to use it till our 11 year old son will receive his driving license. Short of totaling a car in an accident, only than we will be at market again.

    However, most probably we would buy the Impala SS instead of Regal, if it would be available the last fall. Very possible, would even wait several months for start of production, if advertised. Both my wife and I like strong engines.

    Now it is too late...
  • hunter39hunter39 Member Posts: 375
    They did a pressure check and found no leaks, so I'm sure that's the culprit, they still have the car so I'm going to call and leave the service writer a voice mail and see if they can do that fix! You're the bomb Don!
  • jpstaxjpstax Member Posts: 250
    Car & Driver predicted the return of the Impala SS, in 2003, last year. They haven't said what powerplant it might have. Some think it may be either a newly designed V-8, or the SC 3800 II. Hell yes, I'd trade in my '98 Lumina LTZ for one.
    BTW, my wife owns a '00 Regal GSE, and loves that supercharger. I also like driving (racing) it.
  • 00impala00impala Member Posts: 474
    I remembered to bring the issue home from work so I could post it word for word to you. I imagine the filler neck is 2 pieces fused together and a small ridge in the center where the 2 pieces meet is causing the problem.Remove that ridge and Voila~! Strange that the subject Matter in the magazine I read just today matched on the same as the topics on here today, and on the Very next page of the September Popular Mechanics magazine I read this in they have a 3 page article about "Servicing Brake Discs" And explain Warping/Run out/Turning etc.
    Is there a Full Moon tonite? Spooky! ha ha.

    I hope your remedy is as simple as this, I may check mine out too just to be safe.

    Also I talked to my friend that is an AC/DELCO parts supplier to local dealerships and he is going to get me "HIS" Price on a set of New Rotors and Delco Pads, I will let you know the prices, He said there are 2 types of GM Brake pads, the more inferior ones are called "GM Durastop" or something and the better ones are called just DELCO Pads, the Durastop are the ones they use for the cheap $100 brake jobs (Since these pads I bet cost $5 each) and also they are the ones they slap on Trade-In cars before re-selling them, they will promote ""DURASTOP"" as being great, but I would avoid them and go with the Genuine DELCO Pads.

    Hunter39.....When you call ask them what type of pads they are replacing for $160.00....I bet DURASTOP. Question them on Genuine DELCO PADS and ask the difference, I wonder what they will say? $260.00 since they probobaly cost $10 each. Don
  • spider717spider717 Member Posts: 106
    Had my Impala in for an oil change today. I also had them check out the popping noise from the a/c. Also the intermittent keyless entry not working.

    They said they couldn't reproduce the popping noise. (Probably cause it's not hot enough outside)

    They think the FOB problem is with the fob's themselves, so they ordered me 2 new ones. WE'll see if it's the problem.

    I also checked on the moulded mudflaps, and vinal floor mats. They said the moulded ones aren't made for the rear, only flat ones. They charge $120 for the floor mats. Geeze, there only floormats!!
  • morphius909morphius909 Member Posts: 67
    I just wanted to send out prayers to all Americans, everywhere.

    Jas
  • spider717spider717 Member Posts: 106
    sureal isn't it.
  • night_owl1night_owl1 Member Posts: 760
    I was in shock after I heard this morning's news. I am planning on going to the blood bank later on today but I don't know if they will be able to get the donations out of Hawaii to NY.
  • night_owl1night_owl1 Member Posts: 760
    Like I turn in my keys and they give me a SS, straight swap? Sure! Where do I sign up? I guess it would really depend on how much it would cost me and what I would get in exchange. I would love a V8 rear-wheel drive, but I really don't see that happening.
  • night_owl1night_owl1 Member Posts: 760
    If you get the base, it does not come with a tach. Someone here had a base with the 3.8L and didn't have one. I believe the '02 LS will be offered with a bench seat later on in the model year. This would require a column shifter.
  • night_owl1night_owl1 Member Posts: 760
    The rear flaps were discontinued because they wouldn't fit the '01. They were supposed to re-tool them by the end of summer, but nothing has happened yet.

    $120 for the vinyl mats? I don't think the carpeted ones cost that much. I got a nice set from Wal-Mart that does a real good job at protecting the carpet.
  • Coincedentally, I had made an appointment to give blood today. I don't think it will end up in NY, my home town, but I feel good just to do something good in the face of such horror.

    I just hope my former co-workers at the WTC are in a position to accept blood donations.
  • hunter39hunter39 Member Posts: 375
    The service writer called me back today and told me that the Tech said I didn't need a brake job so he didn't do it. He said with the 30% pad that was still there would mean I could get to as much as 30k on the brakes. I told her I probably wouldn't want to turn the rotors this time (or at 30k)and would wait to see if there was any warping of the rotors.

    She said they would do the fix that was on the tsb if I wanted them to, but that they did a pressure test and there were no leaks. I told her, do it anyway, because the coolant had to go somewhere! She said they would.

    I don't have the car back yet, but she said they replaced my battery that was leaking and filled me back up with Dex-cool. They are working on the seat rails and the leather problem around the airbag on the driver seat as well as the turn signal module.

    Fellow Americans: When this whole mess gets cleaned up, make sure you contact your representitives and demand a strong and definative response. I don't know about you, but whatever country is harbouring the cowards that are responsible for this need to pay some of the price. We need our own Jihad!
  • discgolferdiscgolfer Member Posts: 72
    No, it is not too loud. The guy originally mentioned also removing the resinator, and replacing with a straight pipe, which he said would give a lot of sound, but it would probably be louder inside the car as well...


    I decided I could do the resinator later if I wanted. (I won't be doing it). It's just a low, deep "Growl", heard mostly at startup and takeoffs... Not too loud at all...


    http://www.dynomax.com/superturbo.stm


    The above link seems to indicate there are performance improvements. I also believe it "IS" slightly faster on takeoffs. I don't have any "numbers" though...


    I took some pics at lunch today. I'll need to download tonight, and hopefully post tomorrow...

  • mediumfrymediumfry Member Posts: 239
    I donate blood regularly, and am coming up on 6 gallons total since starting nearly 10 years ago.

    I wish I could get that 6 gallons back in gasoline. That'd be about $15 worth after today.
  • impalanatorimpalanator Member Posts: 37
    Hey hunter39, you don't happen to live in a very hot, low humidity climate like, say Arizona? If so the loss of coolant your seeing could be normal. Even though the coolant system is a "sealed" system the coolant reservoir is not and coolant will evaporate from it and more than you might think. Just something to think about.

    I wonder if any of the cowards reponsible for these terrorist acts will even have enough courage to claim responsibility. It sure would make targeting the tomahawks easier.
  • spider717spider717 Member Posts: 106
    We had a slow day at work today(I chef at a local resturant), so I was at the bar watching tv alot. I noticed that there were a very noticable amount of police Impala cruisers, and a few unmarked too. Just thought I'd point that out.
  • After seeing so many images of NYPD Impalas covered with soot, I don't know if I can look at mine the same way.

    Impalanator - It doesn't matter which terrorist organization is responsible. All civilized nations of the world must join together in a joint, concerted, simultaneous attack of ALL known terrorist targets.
    I'm originally from NYC, and worked on the 107th floor of tower 1. Unless you've been there, and have seen the immensity of these structures, it is impossible to truly grasp the scope of this horror.

    (Sorry for the off-topic rant. I just had to get that off my chest.)
  • wyoimpwyoimp Member Posts: 87
    It IRRITATES me to no end that there are individuals who will use a national tragedy to line their pockets! If you can, boycott the S.O.B.'s that have jacked up their gas prices. This is a blatant abuse of Supply / Demand.
  • jeffbogjeffbog Member Posts: 63
    ... and crushed buildings, lives and our whole sense of security. Let's put things in perspective folks.......
  • jeffreyw1jeffreyw1 Member Posts: 145
    During this time of sorrow, we need to pray to the Lord and ask him to watch over those who lost loved ones yesterday in these terrorists attacks and those people who are treating those who are injured. And let us not forget those who are in the rescuing efforts. My prayers go out to all Americans.
  • night_owl1night_owl1 Member Posts: 760
    It's amazing that people from tower two were able to make it out. They were interviewing a woman who was on the 97th floor and was able to make it out before the building collapsed.
  • night_owl1night_owl1 Member Posts: 760
    I tried to donate blood, but I was told it would be a 5 hour wait. I figure I'll wait a couple of days and try again. They were saying that even if the commercial jets are not available to transport the blood out of Hawaii, they have a back up plan where air national guard will help out.
  • As a former employee at Windows on the World in Tower One, and as an ex-NYer who usually pays no attention to tall buildings, I will also never be able to look at skyscrapers the same way again. Or airliners, for that matter.

    What is your point????

    Mine was that every time I get into my car for the forseeable future, I will have graphic visions of horror and destruction.
  • hvan3hvan3 Member Posts: 630
    I noticed there is a plastic wrap on the side air bag. Am I suppose to leave it alone or did the dealer forget to remove the wrap?
  • mediumfrymediumfry Member Posts: 239
    The dealer forgot to take it off. Mine didn't have any, nor did any others I've seen.

    I too saw a lot of Impala police cars wrecked along with buildings, lives, families, etc. No doubt the views are etched in our minds forever, and the sorrow hangs heavy on all of us.
    But I won't let this national tragedy affect the enjoyment and pride I get from my Impala. I've had mine for 10 months and 19,000 miles, and still the only thing that gives me a headache about it is the intense stress on my facial muscles as I drive down the road with a smile three lanes wide.
  • cyyzcyyz Member Posts: 37
    Just wanted to send out heartfelt prayers and condolences to our American friends and neighbours,particularly those affected by this tragic loss.
  • crosley4crosley4 Member Posts: 295
    Our 2k LS is the only new design Impala that I have seen with the factory flaps on it.

    They suire keep the "stuff" off the side off the car from the tires. They do not keep all of it off of the car, but most.

    Since they are discontinued mayb our flaps are collector items?? LOL

    Tony
  • artwisartwis Member Posts: 66
    I was just checking the Edmunds pricing for the 2002 Impala LS. It looks like they are using the 2001 list for options and prices and it is not accurate. One example is the 1SB package which has changes from 2001 (and a much higher price!). MSN Carpoint has accurate option prices.
  • norbnancynorbnancy Member Posts: 118
    Where do you find three lanes to drive on? I have 23000 miles on my 2000 LS with no problems yet. I have the same grin problem though. I have the GM accessory mud flaps. I painted them black to match. I think they are smart looking. I did split one, the left rear. It has a one inch split on the side from me driving down two track roads. The split is hardly noticeable, I know it is there. Enjoy the Ride.
  • crosley4crosley4 Member Posts: 295
    Are you folks sitting down ?

    GM has decided that it will cover ALL expenses for parts and labor to replace our early design engine cradle for the later improved cradle on our 2k LS with 43k + miles on it!

    We drop the car off friday morning. The service guy said the car may be ready for us friday eve, but he suggested that we do not hold our breath.

    My wife told the service guy that we don't need the car in a hurry. We want the car repaired correctly.
  • b4zb4z Member Posts: 3,372
    Check out my post #5540. Mt impala LS is $650 more for 2002.
  • carlover01carlover01 Member Posts: 2
    Hi folks. I am also a very proud owner of a '01 Impala LS. I too have had the roof strip problem coming off at the back end (Only on the left side) and while it didn't bother me that much, I was utterly concerned with water and dirt getting in that area under the back glass cover gasket and roof strip. Well, I decided to stop by my near Safelite Auto Glass service center and I showed the strip to one of the service guys. He said I'll take care of it (They had no customers or work going on) so he brought back some rapid cure Urethane Adhesive (The stuff they use when they replace windshields on cars) and some auto masking tape. He cleaned the area under the strip and put a nice bead of Urethane (I think it was Essex but can't remember the exact label on the dispensing can), reworked the rear glass rubber weatherstrip gasket on the left side, and finally put at least 10 strips of tape to hold both the roof strip and rear glass gasket in place. Then he told me leave it there for at least 6 hours and then remove the tape. Well, I left the tape in place for 12 hours and this morning I removed the masking tape from the roof strip area and voila! Perfect! Rock solid it looks way better than when it came from the factory.

    I hope it holds in place, but so far it looks fantastic and I saved myself a trip to the dealer to have them order/reinstall the roof strips. The whole repair took 5 minutes.

    By the way, the Safelite people loved the looks of the car..these cars do really catch people's attention.

    Difficult times we are living in now. The Tuesday's attacks were cowardly acts that only the Devil himself is capable of doing. I hope and pray that our government makes the right decisions in the coming hours. I am proud to be an American and driving an American Icon. I will buy a flag for my Impala sometime today.

    In the news the showed a take of ground Zero at the WTC and in the background you could see a Navy Blue Impala base semi destroyed...sad, sad.
  • crosley4crosley4 Member Posts: 295
    We are on our 4th windshield in our 2k LS.

    The 3rd unit was installed a month ago........ the glass ppl re-used the rubber trim around the windshield (probably to save a buck or two)

    2 Days later the rubber at the coners stood up!

    Thats why the 4th windshield was installed.

    They sure saved some money on that!
  • carlover01carlover01 Member Posts: 2
    Have you been getting a lot of peebles and rocks in your windshield??

    Has none of these being repairable?

    The PPG windshield is of excellent quality in my opinion, but after all it is still made of glass. I heard that the Impala's new OEM PPG windshield is around $1000 including installation.

    Who's been performing your windshield replacements? It seems to me that your gasket problem indicates a bad installation of some sort.
  • fathertyriciusfathertyricius Member Posts: 116
    I would loose all FM reception when the rear defroster would be turned on with the engine running. Mr. Goodwrench today replaced the rear window. It fixed the problem. Now I can have a clear window running the rear defroster while listening to FM radio. The service manager mentioned that GM improved the design of the glass being that this problem was happening a lot in the Impala & Regal.
  • crosley4crosley4 Member Posts: 295
    Our windshields have not been repairable when hit by a stone. THe glass splits quite quickly. I was told by an engineer friend that works for Toyota corp that the glass is slightly thinner to save weight.

    Now, do not go and compare Toyota and the Impala. This guy's job runs him all over the world and he chats with a multitude of engineers from various manufacturers. This is just info that he knows most car companies are using to save weight on vehicles.

    Now....... the engine cradle on our 2k LS was replaced today. I took a quick look at it after we got home. The unit is welded waaaaaaaaaaaaaay more and better than the OEM unit on our 2k Impala (8-99 build date). The ends that the mounts use to bolt to the car's body look a bit beefier too! I will put the Impala up on our car hoist at work next week and give a long look.

    My wife says the car is quiet , drives as well as ever. So if this replacement cradle is quiet, we will be happy. If the popping returns in 10-15k miles then I am getting rid of the car. By that time the car will have near 60k miles on it.

    We love the car, but the popping noise drives us crazy. It was popping just about on every bump, stop , start, turn, etc!

    ttyl , Tony
  • lrcobralrcobra Member Posts: 82
    How many of you all have had the hesitation problems? Ours just started at about 40k. It only seems to do it when on a hill and the transmission is trying to decide to downshift or stay in higher gear. I have thwarted the hesitation a few times by pulling back in 3rd or even 2nd gear when it acts up but it is really starting to irritate me now. When in cruise it will act like it is going to die on a hill and then eventually I kick it down or pull back in lower gear. Any ideas? Do you think a dealer will cover this problem even though the warrenty has run out?
    Ours is a 00 LS with all options but the leather. Purchased in June of 99. Have had no major problems except for the rotor problem others have had.
    Any advice?
    LRCobra
    (Silver Bullet)
  • b4zb4z Member Posts: 3,372
    My impala seems to get hit by an inordinate amount of rocks. I think the fact that the glass is thinner makes me here the rocks more.
    Interestingly the side glass seems to be thicker than the glass in my intrigue.
  • mediumfrymediumfry Member Posts: 239
    Folks can purchase the 2000 rear GM Molded splash guards and put them on their 2001 Impalas. They just need to be modified slightly to make them fit correctly. No need to wait for GM to do the re-design.

    Nathan, where was the site that has the pictures of the trimmed rear splash guards?
  • ghostwolfghostwolf Member Posts: 91
    I know Impala says 30psi, but when I got my new tires, BF Goodrich recommended 35. So I have split the difference and keep it at 32 dead cold (checking after its sat overnight). What do you guys think? I've heard underinflating is what caused the problems with the explorer. 35 made the car run really hard so I don't think its too bad to go with 32. Do any of you have any recommendations?

    ghostwolf
  • baveuxbaveux Member Posts: 175
    Why bother with someone else's opinion ?
    Goes with what GM is telling you,you will get maximum confort,maximum handling,and maximum mileage from those tires.
  • 32 is fine
  • Do you actually see the rocks hitting the glass?
    I, too, thought that my car was a rock magnet, until I realized that it was the dashboard that was making that sudden snapping sound. Apparently, the hard plastic section expands and contracts from the heat of the sun and cool of the AC. While doing so, it shifts suddenly against the hard plastic of the A pillar, and makes that snapping noise. It sounds EXACTLY like a rock hitting the windshield.
    It drives me crazy. I'm going to try a rubber shim between the two. Maybe that will help.
  • b4zb4z Member Posts: 3,372
    Its small pebbles and sand on the road that is thrown up by trucks. So far no problems with the dash. I do have want seems to be a loose glovebox in the console that makes a noise when i put my weight on it. The impala is much more solid than my intrigue, but could be made even more rigid.
  • yurakmyurakm Member Posts: 1,345
    1. I was told by my Firestone mechanics, and also read in magazines and on the "Tires, tires, tires" board at Edmunds, that slight overinflation, up to about 3 and even 5 psi above recommended does not hurt. The driving became more stiff, and tires can wear unevenly, but this is not unsafe. At least more safe than underinflation.

    2. I also read and was told that the manufacturer recommendations are generic. The optimal inflation depends on driving style and where you usually drive. If your tires wear first at edges (shoulders), it is better to add pressure. If they are balding on the central part of tires, decrease the pressure.

    My cars used to eat the tire shoulders, probably because I like to turn fast. After reading the info, I started to inflate the tires 2-3 psi higher than recommended.

    I have a Buick Regal with OEM Goodyear Eagle LS tires. A sister car to your Impala. GM recommends 30 psi; however I am inflating them to 32 psi.

    My second car is Chevy Malibu with aftermarket Firestone Firehawk SH-30. I am inflating them to 32 psi front / 29 rear. GM recommended 29/26 psi for this car.

    The cars run great with the higher pressure. However, the same tires are somewhat stiff for the NY concrete pavements with wide and uneven seams between slabs. I live in Connecticut, with asphalt pavement everywere, and seldom drive to NY.


    3. The tire dealership mechanics and/or service advisers often do not know well the particular cars. They also tend to give generic advise, at least if you do not ask for specifics.

    My Firestone mechanic at first recomemended to inflate the Malibu tires to 33-35 psi, front and rear. When I pointed him to the GM recommendations, he immediatly changed his mind and suggested to inflate the tires 3 psi above what GM recommends.

    For the rear tires the difference is rather substantial. Most cars do not requre different pressure for fromt and rear; Malibu is unusual in this respect. With tires inflated even, it tried to fish-tail on fast and sharp panic turn, with old OEM tires. How could the adviser know this?
  • garnesgarnes Member Posts: 950
    I looked at the Pontiac air boxes. I don't see how they are much better or better at all. I guess I'll hope for some atermarket induction system from K&N.

    I wonder why GM restrics their cars this way. The HP could be 5 or 10 more if the induction was actually designed for full throttle air flow.
  • wyoimpwyoimp Member Posts: 87
    Remember the "average American" driver / owner wants a comfortable, reliable car. So "soft" tire pressures make for a comfortable ride and restricted air flow helps helps durability and gas mileage. Nothing different for decades. Remember the car engine is nothing more than an air pump. Freeing up the intake and exhaust is what high performance is all about.
  • Soft tires reduce gas mileage, don't they?
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