Questions on some products before I order them

Chad H · May 30, 2005

Hey guys,

I hope everyone is having a kick ass Memorial Day!! I just have a couple of questions. The first one is I want to put some new plugs and wires on my tahoe. I have been looking at some Magnecore wires w/ NGK plugs but, I don't know what gap I need the NGK's to be. I know they need to be the stock heat range. The final question is, my tahoe has 50,000 miles on it. I bought it used, but all of those miles have been on the freeway, mostly. Should I have the transmission fluid and filter changed? If I need to, how much does the dealership charge for this and should I use an aftermarket fluid?

Thanks,

Chad

asepgrad98 · May 30, 2005

i would stick with Delco platnium plugs.

50k miles is a good time to change the tranny filter and fluid. Mobile 1 synthetic fluid is a good choice if you dont mind paying 5$/qt

mmmikkke · May 31, 2005

That Kramer guy--first name's Cosmo--he's pretty smart!

Chad H · May 31, 2005

So, no NGK plugs? Also, how much would a dealership charge to change the tranny fluid and filter?

Bish · May 31, 2005

So, no NGK plugs? Also, how much would a dealership charge to change the tranny fluid and filter?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I've been running NGK TR55 straight copper for about 120K now (not the same set of plugs) and I think it runs better than stock plugs. IMO the only reason to go platinum is longevity and even if you keep them 100K, you better pull them every so often or they may well be siezed.

I checked my oem plugs at 10K and 2 of the plugs were missing the platinum disc Not sure where it went but I'm hoping it went out the exhaust. I changed to the NGK's and noticed a smoother idle. I just change them every 30K as they are only around $1 each. When I pull them, they are usually in great shape and look like they could go another 30k.

Oh yeah, even though spec is .060, I gap them at .055. I went with Taylor wires at about 80K.

Tranny fluid is a good thing to change often. I drain the pan and fill at every other oil change and do a filter every 30-50K. Keeps the fluid nice and fresh. If I were you, I would drain/fill the pan, drive around for a couple days, then to a filter and fluid change. It is a minor pain to change the filter but a dealer will charge you over $100 to do it.

Chad H · May 31, 2005

So, no NGK plugs? Also, how much would a dealership charge to change the tranny fluid and filter?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I've been running NGK TR55 straight copper for about 120K now (not the same set of plugs) and I think it runs better than stock plugs. IMO the only reason to go platinum is longevity and even if you keep them 100K, you better pull them every so often or they may well be siezed.

I checked my oem plugs at 10K and 2 of the plugs were missing the platinum disc Not sure where it went but I'm hoping it went out the exhaust. I changed to the NGK's and noticed a smoother idle. I just change them every 30K as they are only around $1 each. When I pull them, they are usually in great shape and look like they could go another 30k.

Oh yeah, even though spec is .060, I gap them at .055. I went with Taylor wires at about 80K.

Tranny fluid is a good thing to change often. I drain the pan and fill at every other oil change and do a filter every 30-50K. Keeps the fluid nice and fresh. If I were you, I would drain/fill the pan, drive around for a couple days, then to a filter and fluid change. It is a minor pain to change the filter but a dealer will charge you over $100 to do it.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well, I am thinking about getting the dealer to do a tranny flush and filter change and change the transfer case fluid and diffs. But, the vehicle hasnt really been used to tow and I don't tow with it. But, how much would the dealer charge to do that? I will also get them to do a coolant flush and refill when I get my new thermostat changed. If they would do all of that for about $250 that would be great. Any opinions? Also, the plugs I was looking at are the NGK's on tbyrnes site. Any opinions on that?

Bish · May 31, 2005

So, no NGK plugs? Also, how much would a dealership charge to change the tranny fluid and filter?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I've been running NGK TR55 straight copper for about 120K now (not the same set of plugs) and I think it runs better than stock plugs. IMO the only reason to go platinum is longevity and even if you keep them 100K, you better pull them every so often or they may well be siezed.

I checked my oem plugs at 10K and 2 of the plugs were missing the platinum disc Not sure where it went but I'm hoping it went out the exhaust. I changed to the NGK's and noticed a smoother idle. I just change them every 30K as they are only around $1 each. When I pull them, they are usually in great shape and look like they could go another 30k.

Oh yeah, even though spec is .060, I gap them at .055. I went with Taylor wires at about 80K.

Tranny fluid is a good thing to change often. I drain the pan and fill at every other oil change and do a filter every 30-50K. Keeps the fluid nice and fresh. If I were you, I would drain/fill the pan, drive around for a couple days, then to a filter and fluid change. It is a minor pain to change the filter but a dealer will charge you over $100 to do it.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well, I am thinking about getting the dealer to do a tranny flush and filter change and change the transfer case fluid and diffs. But, the vehicle hasnt really been used to tow and I don't tow with it. But, how much would the dealer charge to do that? I will also get them to do a coolant flush and refill when I get my new thermostat changed. If they would do all of that for about $250 that would be great. Any opinions? Also, the plugs I was looking at are the NGK's on tbyrnes site. Any opinions on that?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I run the same TR55's but I buy them at Napa for a lot less.

Dealer fluid changes are the most expensive you will find. The GM diff oil alone is $26 per qt!. If you have them do tran filter, t-case, front and rear diff, I would guess around $500 not including the cooland drain/fill and thermostat change.

You could do it yourself for a whole lot less.

Chad H · May 31, 2005

So, no NGK plugs? Also, how much would a dealership charge to change the tranny fluid and filter?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I've been running NGK TR55 straight copper for about 120K now (not the same set of plugs) and I think it runs better than stock plugs. IMO the only reason to go platinum is longevity and even if you keep them 100K, you better pull them every so often or they may well be siezed.

I checked my oem plugs at 10K and 2 of the plugs were missing the platinum disc Not sure where it went but I'm hoping it went out the exhaust. I changed to the NGK's and noticed a smoother idle. I just change them every 30K as they are only around $1 each. When I pull them, they are usually in great shape and look like they could go another 30k.

Oh yeah, even though spec is .060, I gap them at .055. I went with Taylor wires at about 80K.

Tranny fluid is a good thing to change often. I drain the pan and fill at every other oil change and do a filter every 30-50K. Keeps the fluid nice and fresh. If I were you, I would drain/fill the pan, drive around for a couple days, then to a filter and fluid change. It is a minor pain to change the filter but a dealer will charge you over $100 to do it.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well, I am thinking about getting the dealer to do a tranny flush and filter change and change the transfer case fluid and diffs. But, the vehicle hasnt really been used to tow and I don't tow with it. But, how much would the dealer charge to do that? I will also get them to do a coolant flush and refill when I get my new thermostat changed. If they would do all of that for about $250 that would be great. Any opinions? Also, the plugs I was looking at are the NGK's on tbyrnes site. Any opinions on that?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I run the same TR55's but I buy them at Napa for a lot less.

Dealer fluid changes are the most expensive you will find. The GM diff oil alone is $26 per qt!. If you have them do tran filter, t-case, front and rear diff, I would guess around $500 not including the cooland drain/fill and thermostat change.

You could do it yourself for a whole lot less.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well, do you suggest doing the diff and transfer case fluid change? My tahoe has 50,000 on it but I don't tow and it hasnt towed much if any at all.

willfxp · May 31, 2005

I've changed my diff and transfer case myself. Real easy to do and much cheaper, like everyone said. I'm not much of a mechanic, but I can still do it. I left the tranny and coolant to the dealership since they'll do a good flush on it.

-w

JimG · May 31, 2005

Changing the front/rear differentals and the X-fer case are straightforward with no hidden surprises. There's guides on this site too - you can read through them and decide if you can do it yourself. Read them here: http://gm-trucks.com/home/content/category/2/84/25/

I did the front diff and the X-fer case myself at approx 30k. I NEED to do the rear diff but finding the time is next to impossible. Never did those fluid changes on any vehicle before, and I have to say if you can change your oil you can definitely do this. Probably the hardest part is getting the new fluid in (unlike your oil you can't just drop the bottle on the filler neck and wait til it drains out).

As for the tranny fluid change, I went to STS (my local garage) and had them do it for a little over $100 - well worth it. All the fluid gets changed, new filter, no mess for me and best of all I don't have to figure out how to get rid of the old fluid. Money well spent IMO.

Chad H · June 1, 2005

Well, I have an appointment to get all my fluids changed tomorrow. I am getting the tranny flushed, rear diff and transfer case fluid changed along with a new fuel filter. I didn't see any reason to change the front diff fluid since I don't offroad this thing hasnt been put into 4WD more than a handfull of times. Any bad opinions on me doing that? But, it oughta be a new truck tomorrow.

ness5575 · June 1, 2005

Well, I have an appointment to get all my fluids changed tomorrow. I am getting the tranny flushed, rear diff and transfer case fluid changed along with a new fuel filter. I didn't see any reason to change the front diff fluid since I don't offroad this thing hasnt been put into 4WD more than a handfull of times. Any bad opinions on me doing that? But, it oughta be a new truck tomorrow.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

i have done all my fluids a couple of times, and the front diff always looks the worst of the 3. not sure why, but my truck is hard on the front diff fluid - i would NOT skip it personally...

fastdrvr23 · June 1, 2005

I had my coolant flushed at the dealer, as well as the complete transmission flush and filter. It was $300, with a 1 year / 12,000 mile warranty on the work/parts involved.

I changed my plugs on Memorial day ( @ 51K miles) to NGK TR55IX (Iridiums) gapped at .06... Didn't have any problems, the threads on the stock AC's were nasty, but the electrodes looked fine. My idle was a little smoother, everything else was the same (like I expected it to be.) Make sure, if no one said yet, when you swap the plugs to pick up some anti-seize and dielectric grease for the boots.

I'd stick with AC/Delco on the fuel filter if you have a choice. I'd recommend the NGK's for the plugs... they are working great for me so far.

Good luck!