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Thanks teo for the pics on Nathan's site. I was wondering where Nathan got two Impalas that he could casually take apart to snap a few photos...
The engine you are thinking of is now the 4.3 Chevy V6 motor. It did appear as a 3.8 cid engine for a while.
It was easy to tell the buick 3.8 from the Chevy 3.8 engine. THe distributor was in the rear of the Chevy, at the front for the Buick.
The modern 3.8 engine in the Impala has no distributor, but a coil pack that feeds spark to the engine spark plugs.
Tony
If I remember correctly, someone (sweetpolly?) a while back took their Impala in, and they found some type of broken track assembly on the seat and replaced it.
I mentioned this on the Chevy Product Improvemnet website, they've already setup a file number and to contact the Service Manager. Also for mentioning all the good things and wanted more good things for future Impalas, I'll be getting a free Oil Change Certificate.
Love this forum and Nathan's Impala WebSite!
Back from "Cheeseland". The races were great, theweather held up for the most part.
The LS was flawless as expected! Here are the numbers:
Miles Round Trip:649.3
Avg. MPG:31.0 (not too shabby)
Avg. Speed:41.0
Only filled up once before and once a day before we headed home.
It is a pleasure on the highway... time to get the bugs off!
Take care!
RR
I am just pointing out the differences while the intrigue is still fresh in my mind.
Most of you know the issues that i had with the intrigue and olds' inability to fix them.
The suspension noises, the non starting, and terrible service i got were the reasons i did not buy another. Even though the $2000 rebate and an extra $500 on the olds loyalty certificate were tempting. The impala has a better resale, that is why i purchased it.
Having said that, the 3.5L is a more refined and enjoyable engine to have. I have become a big believer in an OHC engine after owning it for 26 months.
Those who feel that it is sluggish around town probably drove the 3.05 axle version and not a '99 with the 3.29 or a '00 and later PCS equipped version.
The intrigue rocks on the highway. I felt much more secure passing a vehicle on a 2 lane road with the 3.5L engine than i do in the impala or even my IROCZ.
The low end of the impala is nice but do you really don't need it as much as you think you do. My IROC has tons of low end torque and all it does is make me do things i shouldn't be doing anyway.
If i had to give up low end in the camaro to gain some top end i would do it in a heartbeat.
I think the main thing that is most telling about the two cars is that the impala is a better car overall. Quieter, better riding, more room, more solid feeling, etc.etc.
But if you try to say the 3800 offers a better overall driving experience i would have to say, no way.
I have had several OHC and DOHC cars. I miss some of that 'Rocket Thrust' in the upper end but to be honest not by much. The Impala is my first OHV car and I have been pleasantly surprised at what this old-tech engine can do.
Your perspectives from a former Olds Intrigue owner and now an Impala owner are most certainly welcome here.
The Olds Intrigue is a neat car but I have my caveats with it including terrible resale value, not up to snuff body and trim work, poor crast test results and some engine quirks in the 3.5L DOHC.
Otherwise a fine car that failed miserably due to GM's poor marketing and lousy Quality Control.
PS: I received an E-mail from 1415!
It's probably the track under your driver seat that's bent. You'll need to take it to your dealer so he can order a replacement track (which costs over 600.00 for the part). It's all covered under warranty. I know, because the dealer just replaced the track under my driver's seat.
Roll forward/back has been noted while in park too, which again is to the credit of GM for reducing rolling resistance at the wheels when the brakes are off. Note that on slopes the owner's manual strongly recommends using the park brake to reduce stress on the park gears.
I'm proud to have a car that has both features.
Long time no talk and see! Sorry but I have been busy with...well, life!
Anyways, thought I would update you all on my 2000 Impala LS.
It has been doing quite well, other then a few problems-
-Remote entry was finally fixed, the entire instrument cluster was changed and now the system works like it was intended to!
-Interior cooling fan was squeeking at #1-2 settings, so they installed a brand new one(today actually)
-The A/C system is eratic, the temp fluctuates from COLD to COOL to Semi COOL to Warmish. They found a service bulletin and recharged with 2.5lbs of refrig, but when I drove it home today the problem was STILL THERE, ANY SUGGESTIONS GUYS(and GIRLS)?
-"SERVICE VEHICLE SOON" light came on 3 times(but always cleared when the engine was shut off). GM scanned it, found no codes , even when I took it in and the light was on, they still could not find anything!(ODD OR WHAT!!!??)
They told me to monitor the situation, and it is no big deal.
Other then that, I guess it has been driving nice and smooth, though I only have about 13,000 KM'S, I still get peeved at these nuiscance problems.!
talk to all of you later!!
Paul
Going over the J.D. Power questionnaire, it appears to be very comprehensive in regards to critical areas of operation of the car. I always was under the impression that the J.D. Power questionnaires were some sort of 'Mickey Mouse' or balooney surveys with inconsistent data. I no longer get this impression from them after reading their survey structure.
I hope to receive one from Consumer Reports as I suscribe to their On-Line mag.
I am also glad to hear in the news that GM is improving their initial quality of their products and has already surpassed Ford and DCX in this venture. It seems that GM is finally very serious about adopting Toyota's super efficient manufacturing processes in their plants.
This is a GOLDEN opportunity for GM to pull ahead of the 'pack' as DCX is battling the woes of the Daimler-Benz take over, quality problems and financial problems while Ford is still trying to recover from a very bad year IMHO plagued with failed new product launches (Recalls galore) and the Explorer-Firestone fiasco which has almost already surpassed the after effects of the 1977-78 Ford Pinto scandal.
I also had a similar problem with the A/C on my '00 LS. Right after starting the car, in very hot days, the A/C's temperature would suddenly fluctuate between cold, colder, coldest and then not so cold...it was a weird pattern and this was done by the second A/C compressor. After a few minutes, the A/C temperature would be considered normal and it would not change it after that.
I really never took it back for the dealer since at the time I was about to give it back to its maker, so I let go on it.
My new '01 LS A/C seems a lot stronger and more efficient than the unit in the '00 LS.
These cars use the Harrison V5 and V7 compressor which enjoy a very good reputation for durability. They seem to be pretty sophisticated in the way they work.
I would have the whole entire system checked out. If they recharge it that might be an indication of a 'freon' leak somewhere in the system or something about to go wrong with the Compressor. The dealer needs to make absolutely certain that the system is working within parameters and not only recharge it as needed.
WOW!!!
I want a 1030!
Service manager said he couldn't get me one. I'll use some advice from earlier posts and see what I can get.
Cars built from June to November belong to the first production run of the new model year.
Cars built from December to May belong to the second production run of the model year.
GM typically likes to make mid-production model year changes around December-January. This explains why early production 2001 Impalas still have the old and useless '104' AMP.
THe dealer did check out the entire system, no leaks were found, and all they did was find a SERVICE BULLETIN(#99-01-38-005), which stated to refill with Refrigerant. OBVIOUSLY this is useless since it DID NOT WORK.
It worked beutifully last summer, but this summer it has never really worked at all, actually I've only had it on a few times(been a rainy and cold summer up here in British Columbia thus far!)
That is wierd that even after your compressor was replaced the problem sort of persisted. I am beginning to realize, that my dealer needs at least a few cracks at a trying to fix something and then hopefully they will fix it.
I am getting more then frustrated with their growing incompetance. That sign hanging over the service counter stating" we fix it right the first time" is a big joke!
On a plus note, when I went to get the service papers from yesterday, I found two sockets, 5mm and 3/16, ha-ha, that will show them!
I guess they change the fan/motor assembly from the inside, not the engine compartment since the dust is undisturbed in/around the engine.
Later
Paul
To simplify the previous format a bit, simply provide the following info:
* Owner Screen Name
* Engine Type = 3.4L/3.8L
* Trim model level = Base/LS
* Build date = (Located on the driver's door jamb)
* Last six digits of VIN number
* Vehicle location
Example:
TEO/3.8L/LS/04-01/317879/Miami,FL
Please STICK to this format.
Provide this info only if you wish...
I have the front end problems, junk amp 104, Air Conditioning inconsistencies (first time I noted this), and a couple other little things. Body, drivetrain, and brakes are great. Great ride except front end issues. Generally love the car but need to work out a couple things.
Teo/3.8L/LS/04-01/317879/Miami,FL
bbrowne74/3.8L/LS/05-01/340061/Milwaukee, WI
THe sensor is the little R2D2 looking thing on the dash in the vent louver area near the windsheild.
Now......about 3-4 times a week the Airbag light pops "on" for 1-2 seconds then it's gone.
We are over 39k miles on our 2k LS. the cradle popping noises are over 3k miles passed due to return. All is quiet and we are reall happy!
Tony
Kevin sent in a scan of the engine cradle. If you had a hard time making heads or tails of the photos, hopefully the drawing will help you out. It's on the Engine Cradle How-To page.
I found out what Stant locking gas cap is supposed to fit the Impala. As soon as I can find one, I'll let you know if it works.
http://home.hawaii.rr.com/impala/
These are the markings on the GM box:
Gas Cap L
Gr. 03.028
1 #998973
4580C7
We have a silver 2000 LS and I have used nothing on it but a new lambs wool sheepskin wash mit and Meguiars Clear Coat Car wash for a year and a half.
I use SLIGHTLY warm water for the wash water and plenty of cool running water to clear it as I go - section by section. I also let it air dry. To my surprise and delight, there are virtually no water marks!!! I have not waxed the car at all. I do not apply car wash directly to the glass with the mit. I do a final and thorough overall rinse and use a natural chamois ONLY to dry the windows - later applying Windex with a 100% clean cotton rag (old T-shirt with seems cut off) if need be.
The wash/dry process takes about 15 minutes. Add about 8 more if I use Windex. If I do the 5 spoke wheels (with a separate process, add another 8 minutes).
The best part - the finish looks great and to date, there are absolutely NO SWIRLS.
BE SURE TO HAND WASH THE WASH MIT each time and the chamois per label instructions.
Again, this technique is not for perfectionists but it does the job for me. Maybe it will for some of you as well. I do recommend staying out of automated, drive-through car washes.
I think that waxing a car is crucial. I think you would be surprised at the depth of gloss you would get. meguiar's or mother's cleaner waxes are one step products and look great.
Don't let anyone tell you that clear coat paint does not need to be waxed.
You have a 2000 Impala. I suspect that the clear coat will come off the top of your rear bumper and the top of your spoiler in about 2 years. No kidding. Waxing will prevent that from happening.
I will be waxing it very soon - either in the shade or on an overcast day.
I have seen too many cars with peeling clear coats and silver is an especially vulnerable color;
at least it used to be.
204828/3.8L/LS/11-00/Mediumfry/Midland, MI
207316/3.8L/LS/11-00/Wipson/Parsippany, NJ
317879/3.8L/LS/04-01/Teo/Miami,FL
340061/3.8L/LS/05-01/bbrowne74/Milwaukee, WI
I have decided to change the VIN entry format a bit to make it easier to read. For future entries please stick to the format above. It is a lot easier on the eyes to have the VIN number listed first.
Plastic Care
I'm using Meguires Plastic Polish (Blue Squeeze Bottle) on my Headlights, Fog Lamps , Tail Lights, 3rd Brake Light, Front License Plate Cover, and Instrument Cluster Lens. Make sure to use it AFTER you wash the car, otherwise you'll grind in the bugs, dirt, and dust. Used the same stuff when I was in the Navy on airplanes. It is excellant and won't scratch.
gas cap: intrigue had tether and clip on door to hang cap on so it wouldn't scratch paint. Intrigue also had remote door release on earlier cars. GM took it away during 2000 model year.
waxing: On my IROC and intrigue i used the mother's 3 step process. Pre-wax cleaner, then sealer glaze, then carnuba wax. Every time i did it people asked me if i had just painted my car.
It looked incredible.
http://www.shotimes.com/brakes/part1.html
204828/3.8L/LS/11-00/Mediumfry/Midland, MI
207316/3.8L/LS/11-00/Wipson/Parsippany, NJ
255928/3.8 /Ls/01/01/wyoimp/Cheyenne,WY
317879/3.8L/LS/04-01/Teo/Miami,FL
340061/3.8L/LS/05-01/bbrowne74/Milwaukee, WI
No problems whatsoever. Appears to be one of the earliest cars with the good amp.