How many Miles does your Quad 4 Have?

[WoR]

Im just curious too see how many miles you all are getting out of your quad 4's. My Quad is getting up around 160k and wondering how much longer i can expect it too go. Please specify what type of quad 4 you have (vin 3,d,a)

[Brad97GS]

I know of a few that have gone over 200k miles. It all depends on how well you take care of it. Change all fluids on a regular basis (oil every 3000 mi, coolant every 1-2 years, etc). It should last you a while if you treat it right.

[RomeoGAOC]

107k.....put 43k on it in the past 2.5 years

[WoR]

Im surprised you didnt have any problems with seals and shit after sitting for that long.

[RomeoGAOC]

Originally posted by WoR
Im surprised you didnt have any problems with seals and shit after sitting for that long.

well, my head gasket is leaky i believe. I burn oil like crazy so im suspecting that the gasket is cracked somewhere. but really i did all the maintenance that everyone else does to their quad.....timing chain, coilpack, water pump, and when the head gasket goes for good, see ya later GA.

[bbechtel16]

'94 VIN A 151,000

edit: Going through about 1 quart every 1,000 miles. Strong compression (210+ psi per cylinder). Any ideas? I dont have two minor leaks but I mean MINOR. I've never had a drop hit the ground. The one leak is in the hose from the timing chain housing to the oil/vapor separator and the other I think is oil pan gasket.

[WoR]

Im burning up a little oil too, but it didnt start till i switched over to full synthetic, i think im gona get that shit outa there.

Just out of curiosity, how many psi should a low ouput quad run @?

[zos]

126,950. VIN 3. No oil leaks. I'm hoping this thing will keep going for at least another year or two, I've only had it for a little over a month.

[WoR]

If you treat that POS SOHC quad right it will go for a while. My parents had one and they didnt drive it hard at all (they werent too good about regular maintinence though) and it had 168k before i wrecked it. Someon straightend out the axle and is still driving it. That pos had absolutly no power but i guess you probly know this since you own 1. If it does blow up (the top end) swap over a head and shit from a dohc quad 4 (vin d,a). You know i just realize something, i say shit alot... hmm.. odd

[Matt95GT]

123K on the 94 HO (Vin A)
136K on the 95 LD2 (Vin D)

The 94 burns maybe 1/2 quart per 3000 miles. Just about every drop still comes out of the 95 when I change the oil.

I have personally seen a 90 HO in a junkyard with 240K on it. Cause of death - threw a rod.

[Brad97GS]

I think my old '89 burned a quart every 3000, but it's been so long that I can't remember for sure. It had 136k miles on it when I sold it...then was totalled a few weeks later because someone ran a stop sign and smashed into it. I felt bad for the new owner because he was young and really liked the car (as did I). Then someone went and wrecked it! I believe it still ran, but the radiator was very leaky, so it wouldn't have gone far!

[crashontome]

147000 tranny is going

[95GAinFLA]

geeze, this makes my ga feel new.

62k


D

[Jay Anderson]

139,000, leaks from the drain plug, but that's only because the guy I bought it from builds his own cars and cannibalizes parts, have the proper bolt sitting on my TV waiting for 140,000 for the next oil change

[WoR]

well,,, 154k and oil pump is shit.

[4kQuad]

Quad 4 DOHC 5 speed.
Sold at a little over 200,000.

The bottom ends are real strong, Like others have said, it's more in the care, than how long it will last.

[Bruce Gabriel]

I've got a '90 ga with the 2.5 Quad4 cast iron overhead valve engine that will hit 240,000 mi this next week. Had to replace the radiator last year at 234,000 miles. & origional ignition coils at 210,000 (one morning it refused to start! for the 2nd time in all of those miles.)What an awesome car! Gabe

[WoR]

Originally posted by Bruce Gabriel
I've got a '90 ga with the 2.5 Quad4 cast iron overhead valve engine that will hit 240,000 mi this next week. Had to replace the radiator last year at 234,000 miles. & origional ignition coils at 210,000 (one morning it refused to start! for the 2nd time in all of those miles.)What an awesome car! Gabe

Are you sure you have a Quad 4?? Quad 4's were 2.3 from the factory, the Tech 4 was 2.5l. Either way thats alot of miles.

[Brad97GS]

Yup, you have the Tech 4. :) Quad 4s are dual overhead cam.

[zos]

Originally posted by Brad97GS
Yup, you have the Tech 4. :) Quad 4s are dual overhead cam.

All but one are DOHC. Unfortunately I have that "lemon" SOHC Q4. I've noticed a small head leak, but I'm not terribly worried yet.

[Brad97GS]

Well, technically, the OHC is called the Quad OHC, not the Quad 4 OHC. The Quad 4 name comes from the fact that there are 4 cylinders and 4 valves/cylinder. The Quad OHC has 4 cylinders but only 2 valves/cylinder. So technically we could call it the Quad 2... :)

[kid_funky_fly]

i threw out a rod at 270 000 on my vin d, 115 on my vin a and the head gasket went besides that its strong

[kidcarlo21]

I have the 89' DOHC quad 4 LO, and i can proudly say that im at 265,000 miles, and running.

[Brad97GS]

Hey, that's pretty dang good!

[WoR]

Originally posted by kidcarlo21
I have the 89' DOHC quad 4 LO, and i can proudly say that im at 265,000 miles, and running.

wow

[Lacoste]

1992 2.3 HO
164 000 kms
No Problems

[RomeoGAOC]

110k.....heater core just went.

[Brad97GS]

Originally posted by homeboy785
110k.....heater core just went.

That's not an engine problem. ;) Hope you bought an all-metal replacement!

[lordsaryon]

Wow, looks like I got everyone beat.

I just hit 305k miles on my 93 Grand Am SE SOHC 2.3

Hasn't had much in the way of problems.

Very well taken care of!!

[RocketFast321]

Does it still have the factory engine?

[lordsaryon]

Yep, all original.

[Brad97GS]

Impressive. Most impressive! :)

Here's to 300k more!

Is the head original? That would be the most impressive thing IMO. Heads on the earlier OHCs are typically junk! :)

[lordsaryon]

*nod* All original. Now that doesnt mean that the alternator and stuff like that hasnt been replaced, but the engine itself is original.

Heater core went out a while back, most of the electronics have gone out, but the engine is still running strong. I mean, I wouldn't feel comfortable dumping NOS into it whatsoever, but it is still strong.

[OFusion04]

Mine is a 90 dohc quad 4, was granny driven for the first 30000kms and now has 125000 kms on it. I just have a code 26 though.

[Brad97GS]

Originally posted by lordsaryon
*nod* All original. Now that doesnt mean that the alternator and stuff like that hasnt been replaced, but the engine itself is original.

Heater core went out a while back, most of the electronics have gone out, but the engine is still running strong. I mean, I wouldn't feel comfortable dumping NOS into it whatsoever, but it is still strong.

I wouldn't expect the alternator to last that long. :) The alternator on my '89 died at 104k miles, and compared to some, that's pretty good!

I will say though that the alternator on my old '97 Regal was original at 218k miles...when the car combusted.

Maybe you should mention what sort of maintenance you do. It may be of some use to people. ;)

[bruklager]

most of the miles are easy and i haven't put a whole lot of money into it. mostly sensors.

[lordsaryon]

The only thing for maintenance is just oil changes at 5k (mostly highway driving) and every other use duralube engine cleaner additive in the oil, and it still is great.

Yeah, I think the alternator did go out once. I mean, there have been a few electrical things that have happened, just not the engine itself, it is original.

When the engine does go, I think I will end up either rebuilding, or going up to the DOHC.

[invaderzim624]

70K

Thats right, a 95 GA with 70K miles.

[Branderson]

I just traded in my 92 Quad 4 LO with 85k. Had it for 2 years and never a problem with the engine. Only thing under the hood that needed replaced was a leaky water pump.

[RonJ]

My 95 dohc's (OBD 1.5, LD2, 4 sp auto) got 197,000 ....... just started having problems at the end of summer with overheating, and my headlight (dimmer?) switch just went, but she still runs strong .Usually I change the oil every 1000 to 3000 miles but moneys tight in this house as of late so she's been due for a while.

[caddy39]

I have a 92 SOHC with 252000Km's on it.. head gasket went at 200000km's doesnt burn too much oil. Going stong!

[fordtransman]

1989 Quad Four 214k miles (father is original owner,brother was 2nd, I am 3rd) mile stack of dealer service and 3k mile oil changes. 40+lbs oil pressure... Alternator lasted to 180k, still has original starter and most everything else (but dont ask about ignition modules and coil packs/housings) Head gasket at 105k, trans overhaul at 110k, paint fell off years ago....working on an electrical bug right now...but runs strong....blows away other 4cyls all day long.......Have taken parts off of junkyard cars with 1/2 the miles I have.... Dad says I cant crush it til 300k.... :)

[fordtransman]

by the way, Vin D

[Derek56514]

95 2.3L Quad 4 Automatic @ 128k Miles since I bought it at 123k miles its had the following done

Thermostat @ 127k
Alternator @ 124k ( this is probably because I hooked up a 600w amp and that stock alternator couldn't take it anymore :P, it took 2 days after installing my subs for the alternator to go kaput)

Other then that normal... burns maaaaybe a quart of oil every 2500-3500 miles, no leaks... still runs strong! and when racing I still kick a lot of ass vs other 4 cylinders only lost twice out of probably 20 races against 4 cyliners, and the two I lost against had manual trannys :P

[caddy39]

92 2.3L SOHC 255K Km's Burns a little bit oil. Otherwise great car.. I dont exactly treat it kindly either..

[Grahamcracker]

I have 2 1992 Grand Ams one is the SOHC 2.3L I've had it for over 5 years and put 100K on it, it now has 193,000 and burns not a drop of oil, runs perfect although there is a very small coolant leak from the head that started about 3 years ago and never got any worse it uses about a quart a year. The other GA is the 3.3L V6 I've had it for a year and a half with 140,000 miles it also runs great with no oil or coolant leaks.

[vipershark11]

1995 Quad 4 with 152k and running strong but overheats occassionally when it feels like it.
replaced
thermostat
radiator
starter

[ENGGUY]

The basic engine is okay, bad points, cooling system arrangement, very costly to buy parts for at after market or dealer. Pretty peppy though.

[Spooky Mulder]

'95 Quad 4 with 121k miles on it. Except for a thermostat and regular maintenance, it's been a dream.

[RazorDX]

1994 Grand Am SE Sedan with Quad OHC
153k miles

Just got her yesterday and I'm already in love.

[LargeFish]

Just updated my signature...

[MpRt KLLr]

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoID=1220846764&n=2

go here to see a video of a 9.84 second(1/8) 285,065 mile 2.3 quad 4 HO all original(except catback, and intake), 91 ga original 5spd(muncie i think). i know ya'll wont believe me but its true!

[xxxxnickxxxx]

well i just bought a 93 Grand Am 2.3L vin A HO and it has About 320K On it but the engine was apparent;y rebuilt and has about 5k on it

[WoR]

i havent been on here for a while, but i got another grand am that i ended up parting out unfortuanly, but it had 206k miles on the good ol' quad 4..

[Twista89]

Originally posted by invaderzim624
70K

Thats right, a 95 GA with 70K miles.

X2 Same car same milegae lol

[^KrS^]

'94 SOHC 2.3L 163000 Km = 101 miles

My dad won this car in a draw actually back when the 94's were first comin out, he gave it to me in 2000 with 36k km on it. It had never seen winter yet.

Replaced the following since i've had it.

alternator
coils & housing
ignition unit
cam sensor
crank sensor
2x injectors
many many FAR TOO MANY rotors/drums/pads

I've heard from a few ppl tho that cheapy rotors and drums from napa are never 100% true. hence the shaking i've had while breaking. My dad said it always shook when he had it too

Soon i'll have to finally change the original exhaust. Thanx to having to drive it 30km home on 2 cyliders when the crank/cam sensors and injectors decided to die.

Right now she's runnin half power i think from clogged/broken Cat. Idles fine but no power.

I would honestly try to find another used one when this one dies. Been a great car!

[TayCole03]

80,000, pretty damn good

[Buccaneer101]

1994 Grand Am 157500 miles 2.3L DOHC H.O. Vin A. Its Running ok. It is about to go through a few changes. Going to fortify the bottom end and Spray a 150 shot of Nitrous. Should make it one mean S.O.B.

[TheCardinalGate]

VIN 3, 89k. Motor replaced at 87k with another Quad OHC with around the same mileage, give or take a few hundred. Head gasket went, then after the top end was rebuilt it spun a bearing. Then, motor replaced.

[RazorDX]

Just an update to my post now that I've been here a while...

I love the quads... I'm looking to swap out the top end for DOHC W41 parts (going from vin 3) for that extra 60 horsepower. For 120hp, this thing has some pep. I'm actually expecting the tranny to go before the engine does. It's the automatic 3 speed + overdrive. I have plans of retiring it from the post of daily driver and making it my fun car. My plans include the afformentioned engine work, a 5-speed, exhaust, maybe a sunroof/moonroof, a lot of suspension and body work, and once the suspension is done I might toss on a supercharger.

It seems to go through about 1/4-1/2 a quart of oil every 3000-4500 miles, but that doesn't seem to be a huge concern. I drive the engine hard and it never fights back. Every once in a while when idling at cold temperatures it will miss, but that's expectable from any 13-14 year old car.

[Nighthawk243]

Quad 4 DOHC LD2 ("D")
As of the moment 94680 miles.

[Matt95GT]

Originally posted by Matt95GT
123K on the 94 HO (Vin A)
136K on the 95 LD2 (Vin D)

The 94 burns maybe 1/2 quart per 3000 miles. Just about every drop still comes out of the 95 when I change the oil.


Update just for the hell of it...

94 HO (Vin A) dead at about 135 K miles.
95 LD2 (Vin D) still runs very strong... a few miles short of 150K miles.

[LargeFish]

Originally posted by Matt95GT
94 HO (Vin A) dead at about 135 K miles.

New '93 W41 swapped in at 136K
Interesting coincidence, hadn't noticed before...

[Matt95GT]

Originally posted by LargeFish
New '93 W41 swapped in at 136K
Interesting coincidence, hadn't noticed before...

Yea, that is kind of a coincidence. Didn't something let loose on your bottom end though? Technically I could have saved mine had I figured out the cause (waterpump) earlier... but that's one of those "if I knew then what I know now" scenarios.

[LargeFish]

Matt - Here's the old thread:

http://www.gaownersclub.com/forum/showthread.php?threadid=5660

I think I had about the same thing happen as you. I noticed my water pump was bad and had it changed. I think what happened was, before it was changed some coolant got in the oil which began to take it's toll on the bearings. I had the oil changed when the water pump was replaced, but I think it was too late. The car was fine at first, but when I later took it drag racing, I spun a bearing. RIP HO, but the W41 is holding up pretty well.

[Matt95GT]

Oh - guess I made the "right" decision to give up on fixing it then.

[LargeFish]

Nah, just do a rebuild or drop a new motor in there. You've got money to burn, no? hehehehehe....

[Matt95GT]

Too late... the car is already resting in a junkyard. Having 2 projects would effectively cost twice as much.

[hfield]

94 grand am 2.3 with 245,000 and just spun a rod bearing

[Matt95GT]

^Wow... not bad. Certainly got plenty of mileage from that engine.

[JeremiahCoffel]

1995 GA Vin 'D' A little over 201,000 miles. I'm changing the Fuel pump, on it. I just changed the coils and plugs and I have never seen such a strong motor for it's age.

[messiveian]

95 GA 2.3 Vin D- 144,180miles and still running strong

On a side note alot of mechanics i have talked to say that the 2.3 DOHC engines are called throw away engines. From the looks of it on here our engines arnt doing to bad. My next car will probably be a Grand am just because i have had so many problems with mine i now know how to fix almost anything on it lol

[Matt95GT]

Originally posted by messiveian
On a side note alot of mechanics i have talked to say that the 2.3 DOHC engines are called throw away engines.

Yea... because the mechanics are too lazy to work on them. The old-school ones used to old pushrods hate them.

[nismo_2005]

mine has 242,861 on it and still runs pretty damn good. it is the sohc

and here is some proof
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d65/nismo_2005/11-10-07_0852.jpg

[kickinkz]

I bought my parents '92 Grand Am from them 2 weeks ago for a work beater...It just turned 217,000 on a 2.3 Quad 4...Had the head replaced on it a couple years ago, otherwise the car has been good mechanically...

Later
Phil

[Andrew21]

86 GA, 2.5 Vin U.. bought at 82K, before it went to the junk yard, 192K

currently,

94 GA, 2.3 Vin 3, bought with 78K, and now has 198K....still going strong. Replaced tranny last year

97 GA, Vin M, bought with 66K last year, and now has 71K. I use the 94 more, this is my back up car. (oh crap, this doesn't belong here..LOL)

A-

[95_SE]

149,527 as of right now in my gf's 95 2.3 Quad 4 DOHC

[mrcaddy]

1994, SOHC, Auto. 169,000 miles. Hoping for more. Replaced water outlet, T-Stat. Doesn't appear to use any oil or coolant. Runs like a champ! Hope it runs for a good long while as it is my every day driver.

[unruhjonny]

My current car is at just over 151,000... runs very strong
1991 W32/LGO/coupe;
it only burns oil when I rev it VERY high... oil pan gasket sweats... but that's about it.

My first GA (89/LE/LD2/HM282/coupe) had roughly 180,000 when I bought it - it needed a head gasket immediatly.
My second GA (91 W32/LGO/coupe) was purchased non running - again at aroud 180,000 with a bad head gasket that had been left for way too long (the block deck needed a couple run in's with the milling machine!)

[yeagermystr]

hey new to the site but i bought a 92 GA GT 2.3L H.O. for $200 and it has 216000 miles with a reman head. doesnt burn oil and still beats every Si and GSR ive come across.

[Ralph]

hey new to the site but i bought a 92 GA GT 2.3L H.O. for $200 and it has 216000 miles with a reman head. doesnt burn oil and still beats every Si and GSR ive come across.

Thats a hell of a chat as we chatted on IRC tonight welcome to the site

[gentlegiant255]

Mine had 130003 miles burned maybe 1/2 quart every 3k miles..then bam..piston said hi to spark plug..dammit..and i replaced the chain at 120k. Engine swap in progress. Vin 3

[joehammond]

I just bought this Grand Am yesterday.94 model with the 2.3 quad4. Only has 52,000 miles and I want it to last. Any suggestions what immediate maintenance and continued preventative I should be doing on it? Thanks

[unruhjonny]

I just bought this Grand Am yesterday.94 model with the 2.3 quad4. Only has 52,000 miles and I want it to last. Any suggestions what immediate maintenance and continued preventative I should be doing on it? Thanks

First - Do you have any vehicle (maintenance0 history?
- Do you know if/when the head gasket was done?
- Do you know if/when the coolant has been flushed?

If you have no records, I would at the bare minimum have the coolant system flushed out - that way if the coolant has built up a charge, it won't degrade the head gasket (any more than it might already be).

If you have no idea when the oil was last changed, I'd suggest doing one off the bat, and keeping up on regular "short"* oil changed; by "short" I mean 3000 miles between changes. I'd also suggest using a premium oil filter, like purolator brand unit - frams are known to be "problematic"...

if the engine bay is saturated in oil, clean it up (a pressure washing can do, but if you plan on thouroughly dousing the compartment, you should disconnect the battery, and allow time to dry befreo reconnecting ~ otherwise, you can pressure wash, but try to not spray the alternator, or starter... (sitting oil makes plastic & rubber "expire")

Just be aware of if anything seems wrong, and have it looked after - after driving it for a couple months you should find you know how everytrhing should feel & work... if you keep up on maintenance, it should last you many years.

but that's just my twelve cents worth.

[treetop]

95 ga 167k service light, lag on aceleration, i dont know why. new sparkplugs oil change what is it

[unruhjonny]

since it's a '95, you can get one of those cheap OBD1 scanners from walmart to see what's the problem - there's a metod of jumping the two required terminals at the diagnosis port, but if you don't have a GM service manual the codes are going to mean nothing...
The generic descriptions for the codes that's provided in with the wallmart-OBD1 scanner should be close enough for you to know what' wrong... if they aren't I'm sure someone here or on the quad4forums.com should be able to help you out.

[Solarboy]

I've got 212K on mine, and if I can't get the A/c compressor unstuck, or work around it...it will never have more than 212K.

Otherwise, it's a good car. Paid $1200 at 160K, drove for 3 years, gave to my daughter, she drove for 3 years, got it back and am giving it to a friend in need...unless I have to replace the A/C compressor to make the alternator work.

[unruhjonny]

I've got 212K on mine, and if I can't get the A/c compressor unstuck, or work around it...it will never have more than 212K.
..

do you need AC?

you could always instal the ac-delete pulley ~ or get another compressor from a dismantler/scrapyard - I'm sure someone can chime in with the interchange on it; or the scrapyard/dismantlre should have it too...

[Solarboy]

Nope..I don't need the A/C. I have to sneak across the state border to buy refrigerant for it anyway.

I didn't know there was an "A/C delete" pulley...know where I find one?

Thanks!

[unruhjonny]

go over to the quad4forums.com - there's alot written on the AC delete pulley there.

I have two, but I'm not 100% sure that the ones I have are the same as what you would need...

[Matt95GT]

since it's a '95, you can get one of those cheap OBD1 scanners from walmart to see what's the problem - there's a metod of jumping the two required terminals at the diagnosis port, but if you don't have a GM service manual the codes are going to mean nothing...
The generic descriptions for the codes that's provided in with the wallmart-OBD1 scanner should be close enough for you to know what' wrong... if they aren't I'm sure someone here or on the quad4forums.com should be able to help you out.


No, you can't. All 94's and some 95's (some are OBDII, appears to be only when pair with the 4-speed auto) are OBD 1.5. You cannot use the cheap OBD scanners, and the paperclip trick will not work. You must use a scan tool specifically compliant with GM OBD 1.5, such as the Actron CP9145 + CP9127 GM OBD1 cable.

[unruhjonny]

I seem to recall using an OBD1 scanner on a 1995 Qud4 car...

but whatever...

[Matt95GT]

I seem to recall using an OBD1 scanner on a 1995 Qud4 car...

but whatever...

Some will work... the main problem is that GM moved the serial bus pin within the connector, and many cheap scan tools only have it wired for the pre-94 routing.

Here, this is helpful for determining...
http://actron.com/faq_detail.php?pid=16298&id=18

[HighTech1011]

I have a '94 Grand Am SE with the 2.3L Quad O.H.C (VIN 3) with 211,738 miles. Just bought it off my brother after he beat the hell out of it, and did a little mod work under the hood (Notice the K&N Air Filter attached directly to the throttle body).

[PHATSPEED7x]

My 94 has 206500mi on it and runs good. Needs a tune up.

[Captain Ice]

124000