New PAU owner with minor problems!

[ok_sha]

Hey there! I just recently (about a month ago) bought a '95 PAU with 121,000 miles on it, one previous owner who was an elderly person and treated it well.

I can't tell if it's the transmission or just spark plugs but I'm really hoping it's just a plug problem -- Which brand of spark plugs would you guys recommend as the best to get for such an old beaut?

Also my gas/temp/oil gauges are all really "loose"? Should I say? When I accelerate the gas gauge goes up, when I'm stopped and idling it goes down to where the gas actually is. I don't know if that's a sensor problem? And whenever I'm idling all the other gauges kind of jiggle, like a heartbeat.

Any recommendations/thoughts/ideas? I'd greatly appreciate it, I love this car and I've always loved Buicks. I want this baby to last!

 

[mojo117]

With regard to plugs, I'll vouch for AC Delco Iridiums. I originally put in Bosch +4 Platinums and had misfire issues, which is a common problem. It seems the 3.8L needs the spark that the iridium (or copper) plugs give. I replaced them with the AC Delco Iridiums and everything is fine.

From your description of the gauges "jiggling, like a heartbeat", I wonder if there is some electrical issue--maybe the regulator on the alternator or the alternator itself is going bad....? Test the alternator to see. Just a thought.

Gas gauge--sending unit/float may be going out? Not sure if you need to drop the tank on the '95 PA do replace it like I did on a '97 LeSabre. A pain. The newer ones have an access panel in the trunk floor from what I understand.

 

[mikec6201]

I think the gas gauge issue is due to the gas sloshing backward and foreward. My Century does this too with a new sender. When I step on the brake the gauge goes up , using the brake makes it go down . I wouldn't worry about it .

 

[ok_sha]

Okay thank you guys.

One other question:
Do you have a brake pad recommendation?