I luckly just recieved a 1989 Bonneville. It has 89600 miles on it and seems to have had good care. This is the first time I have had a used car. I want to keep it running in good shape. What are some things I need to do? I don't know anything about cars but I would hate for my stupidity to be the down fall of this wonderful car. I was told by a friend that my engine was running hot, what might cause this? I also have a power steering leak but I will leave that up to the machanic. I am on a shoestring budget so anything I can do to help preserve this car would be great. I just don't know what needs to be done.

congrats on ur first bonerville
How much do you know about cars, mechanically.. thats the first question..


Running hot? did you check the coolent levels in ur rad? check for a leak possiblely..
Power steering, yes leave for mechanic.
Go to ur crappy tire or part source.. whereever u are located and pick up a air filter for your car.. they are cheap and worth the $.. if your on a cheap budget go to the junkyard for probley all or in some cases most of the parts you will need for your car.

Under 90,000 miles, that'* awesome!

First, give her a full tune up. Spark Plugs, Plug wires, O2 Sensor, Air Filter [or Cold Air Intake {CAI} if you want more power.. this is also more expensive] and any radiator hoses that seem to have deteriorated. Also, Bosch = bad. DO NOT buy Bosch.. okay? Thanks.

Like largegold said, check your coolant level. Make sure there is fluid in the overflow tank [you see that small rubber line going from the radiator cap to that tank next to the washer fluid? That'* the overflow tank. It has the proper labels for checking the level. Also check the colour of the fluid. If it isn't bright green, it is time for a nice full flush. If you are inexperienced.. this may be something you want to leave to a mechanic. However, stick around to watch them do it, you will want to learn this procedure.

I see you are from Michigan. Where abouts in Michigan?


-justin

Hey, my neighbour has a <70,000 mile '87





... I second Justin'* post. Standard tuneup procedure in terms of maintainence.

Thank you, see I have already learned a lot
Bosh=bad I will rember that
coolant level and over flow. I know where both of these are. If the over flow level is low what do I do? If radiator level is low do I just put antifreeze in? If I am not mistaken, they put a rebuilt radator in the car reccently and I think also hoses. The only vissable leaks we can see now are power steering fluid, not sure exactly from where yet.

How much do I know ha ha
I know how to put in winshield washier fluid, put in power steering fluid and yesturday learned how to put oil in. For the last 10 years I have leased cars so I would get in and just drive Before that I was around people who repaired Fords You know it is true F ound O on R oad D aily. So cars have changed so much since I was a teen. I look at my Bonnie engine and wonder what are all these parts and what do they do?

As for the junk yard I thought of that and I have no fear of going there. Did I forget to mention I am a woman but I bet you guesed that by now When I find things I need for my car, what are some of the things I should look for just to make sure they are in good shape? My step brother took a quick look at my engine and said I needed new valve covers, what do I look for when trying to replace mine? Like rust, or cracks?

Are junk yards cheaper?
I live in the downriver area of Michigan. About 40 minutes from Ohio.

Thank you all for talking with me. I want to take the best care of my car. I also wouldn't mind learning how to do things myself. Is there a place on the web where I can get a diagram of my engine with lables?

Would I be able to change the air and oil filter? If so where are they? I bet you are rolling your eyes at that one ha ha. I am not real strong but I could manage but I dont' want to cause any damage.

air filter is cake. just unscrew the screws in the top of that box on the drivers side by the wheel well, and there you go. as far as oil filter, dunno, always let jiffy lube hit that.

Thanks

Oh yes oil filter is cake with basic hand tools. You will have to get the car in the air though somehow. You should definately be able to handle that if you can get someone to walk you through it just once.

I went to the junk yard today by myself and got a power steering cap. The guys there must have been so surprised to see a girl that first they said it would cost one dollar, when I went to pay for it they said no charge. It wasn't easy finding a Bonneville by myself but I have always had a good intution about what make and model a car is. So today when I got home I added the cap, refilled the power steering due to leak, added coolant to the overflow. Next time I get paid I will get the air filter and maybe some othere parts.

Question due to the power steering leak, there is a lot of fluid on the bottom of the car, when we get the car fixed should I try to get some of that off?

The car needs a new steering rack and new return hose. The garage wanted $800.00 to fix it but I am going to try and find some one to do it. Thanks