My 2001 SLE just hit 141,000 miles. And i have bought new tires, new engine mounts, new cadillac converter/gaskets. But anyways, i got some extra money and want to sink it into the bonnie.Can anybody let me know what i can do to make the bonnie last. I have noticed some vibrations, the same vibrations i was getting when i had a cracked engine mount. But i checked the mount that was replaced and it didnt seem cracked. Does anybody know how many mounts there are and where they are located.
and how would i know if i need new wheel bearings? thanks guys

If the car has made it this far with out a problem. Your lower intake gaskets must be ready for a change. Mine sure were at 140K. As well..your upper intake manifold is probably about to cause you issues if it is original.

Please read this article. In your shoes..if the manifold is original..I'd be doing this.

http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/...ntake+manifold

Being a victim of failed UIM and LIM gaskets myself (at 59k miles!), I totally agree with Boosty...

Regarding the vibration: Have you changed the plugs and wires recently? The vibration you have could be a rough idle due to plugs/wires... again, speaking only from personal experience.

No i havent changed my plugs or wires at all yet. The vibration is more like a shake, If i jump in the gas. I get a shake in the whole car.

That sounds like bad motor mounts or the torque converter being out of balance. :o

I have also jsut notived a rough idle form to time. It'* pretty rare at this point, but it is noticable when it happens. I have already replaced theplugs and wires before due to a different problem...

Does this mean my wires ahve gone bad again? IIRC I used good wires and plugs, so I can't imagine it they can be bad already (changed approx 20,000 milels ago). Is the problem something that causes the wires to go bad, or is it the wires themselves that were faulty?

Pull them off and reseat them perhaps, Did you use dilectric grease on the plugs/wires?

Additionally, what kind of plugs and wires did you buy? The Bosch plugs have been known to be "not the best" for our cars for some reason. NKG (or is NGK?) or AC Delco seem to run much smoother. Wires shouldn't go bad, however again, there is one brand tthat has given members a hard time... Taylor maybe? <not sure on that>.

I had a roughness return after changing plugs and wires... turned out one of the plugs supposedly was cracked during install.

I'm not sure about the plugs, and I'm 98% sure the wires are AC Delco. I should probably check the plugs anyways, so I'll see what kind they are.

Also, to the OP, you know your wheel bearings are bad if you get a lot of road noise, especially on the freeway. When mine were bad it was just noticable below 45 MPH, but very noticable when you get into freeway speeds. Any reputable shop will check them for free.

Regarding your engine mount question. You have four mounting points:
- A front engine mount
- A center engine mount
- A rear trans. mount
- A center trans. mount

Check those out.

As far as rough running goes, if it'* not a mount.

Go ahead and check the plugs and wires, but also thoroughly inspect alll your vacuum/evaporator hoses and connections. Even smalllish cracks or splits can cause rough running.