info on I4

[dm6156]

hey all,

I'm new here, just posted to the new member forum. Wife just bought a '01 Grand Am SE with 2.4L I4. While we wait for the owners manual to arrive in the mail I was wondering if anyone can provide some general information on the I4?

I saw the factory specs post.

Any major issues? It has 24,000 miles.

Thanks!

- Dan M

[urweak]

Well the 2.4 likes to go through the ignition modules, ive gone threw 2 and think i have another bad one. The number 3 bearing likes to spin b/c of some of the oiling problems the motor has, um, when the water pump goes that is one expensive task. Other then that its a pretty strong motor, i would use mobil 1, its about 5 buck a quart, but its worth it, and if you change the oil yourself then it runs about $30 bucks an oil change which is about the price to have someone do it with crapy oil.

[azeniskid]

If it's your wife's car here's what you'll most likely encounter.

Just probably the water pump after 70thousand.... $500-800 fix depending on who wants to rip you off. Some people encounter the problem, and others don't. That's pretty much the weakest part of the motor.

Just make sure the car is always full of oil every week and the coolant topped off. This is emphasised even moreso if you want to rag on the car.

you should be pretty happy with the car.

[RocketFast321]

Originally posted by dm6156
While we wait for the owners manual to arrive in the mail I
- Dan M
http://www.mygmlink.com/pdf/go2content/manual/US/en/pontiac/
;)

Only problems i had was brakes and the window regulator

[litdevil316]

i got a 97SE and it seems like the piston rings might be out or almost out. it'l puff black smoke if a hammer onto it when it still cold. once it warm, no problem. its got about 83k on it now, and i got it in april01 with 52k on it. and i'm not easy on it. but she getting rebuilt here soon(i hope) with new internals. i usually do plugs like once a year, but that doesnt bother me. and i always do the oil my self. i use the Val MaxLife 5/30. i'v had no problems with the motor and the oil. did replace the Alt in early 03 i beleive. and both window motors are replace. not much other then normal stuff like brakes, and i do recomend gettting the 30-40$ carbon-metalic pads up front. they do make a difference. PerformanceFriction(i think) from AutoZone. only problems i've had was the CheckEngine light came on and it read a MisFire, i replace the spark plugs Boots and they cleared the error code, no more problem.($20 set of four boots at AutoZone). and use the ac delco plat plugs. every one recomends them and i have no problem with em.

[RocketFast321]

I have duralast gold pads :) Little to no dust and no sounds

[litdevil316]

i got a Duralast Gold alt...... works and sounds like the old one.... lol

[gbe357]

i beat the piss out of my 2.4...i run it up at every redlight, take it to the track and run in in quarters...i made some attempts at road-course style racing...i run over speed bumps like nothing..and it still cranks every day and causes me minimal problems.

i've replaced:

ignition coils,
alternator,
timing chain,
fuel pressure regulator,
and abs sensor...

along with my list of modifications....


and it only broke down on the side of the road 2 times...ignition coils, and alternator...both electrical issues.

[RocketFast321]

Originally posted by litdevil316
i got a Duralast Gold alt...... works and sounds like the old one.... lol

You don't buy a alt. or fuel pump from for autozone. The manager told me that.

[The Artist]

waterpump... thats it

for the record, if i EVER meet the genius who thought up putting the waterpump underneath, behind the exhaust manifold AND hooking it up to the timing chain, im going to slap him

[2K SE]

Originally posted by sweet98gagt
waterpump... thats it

for the record, if i EVER meet the genius who thought up putting the waterpump underneath, behind the exhaust manifold AND hooking it up to the timing chain, im going to slap him

I second that

[Lash]

I've replaced...

ummmm.....



let me think....





NOTHING!!!!!

65,000 and still going strong.
And she's got at least 50 1/4 mile passes!
For the 1st year i had this thing...I beat the crap out of it!!!! BAD!!! I go easy on it know.


oh....wait...


I did get tires once :P And a headlight too.


My 98 GAGT (2.4)...all I ever really replaced was the FPR. Other than that it was just usual maintinance. That car had almost 90k on the clock before I traded it in. I beat the crap out of tat one too.

[litdevil316]

i do agree with the water pump/ timing chain bit. that why i gonna get them replaced when i rebuild the motor. may as well do it when the motor ia already out anyway.

[2K SE]

Originally posted by litdevil316
i do agree with the water pump/ timing chain bit. that why i gonna get them replaced when i rebuild the motor. may as well do it when the motor ia already out anyway.

Me too. Tranny is coming out next week and it's getting a new water pump and main seal. Along with all the other goodies that I have bought over the last two months. I'll let you guys know how the swap went after I'm done, unless I get stuck and have to ask for help. :lol:

[litdevil316]

what kinda swap ya doing?

[2K SE]

gonna put a 5 speed in.

[litdevil316]

ah, should be fun. i wish i could. gonna see if i can try once i get back from Hell,Iraq. i mean Baghdad, my bad.

[azeniskid]

just buy a 5spd equipped car.. don't have to mess w/ reflashing the car at the dealership and having them look quizzically at you.

[Lash]

^ ditto! Thats what I did.

[whitegase]

i had to replace the heater core in feb. 04, thats a b.....

[00SilverGA]

My 2000 has almost 84000 on it and havn't had to replace anything major except the brakes.

[azeniskid]

Originally posted by whitegase
i had to replace the heater core in feb. 04, thats a b.....

what heater core? :-p...



I need a stupid rod.. i hope it shows up soon.

[00SilverGA]

Originally posted by 00SilverGA
My 2000 has almost 84000 on it and havn't had to replace anything major except the brakes.

Edit:
I have to replace my right inner tie rod end. Its going to cost me $280 but that is the only thing I have to replace. "knock on wood"

[AeR0]

sounds like you guys have all done good with you 2.4!

mine on the other hand :(


170,000 kms and im replacing the engine

i took good care of it too

[angelluv98]

Originally posted by sweet98gagt
waterpump... thats it

for the record, if i EVER meet the genius who thought up putting the waterpump underneath, behind the exhaust manifold AND hooking it up to the timing chain, im going to slap him

I agree 150%. Whoever hired that moron to come up with that design should be slapped as well.

The only other problem, besides the waterpump, I have ever had is my battery internally combusting at about 95K. That wasn't a big issue though. :cool: