New Lim Info!!!!!! Please Read!!!

[GrandAMjim]

Hello All,
My name is Jim. I Live in Charlotte NC. I drive a 1999 Grand Am with the Infamous 3.4 V-6. I called around today to the Various Dealerships, and this is what I found out.
I can get my LIM gasket replaced for 655.95USD which includes the 3rd design Gasket and 3rd Design Bolts (part Number at end of Post). I talked them into doing a loaner car for the day but i had to do agree to do my water pump at the same time. I dont really know if the pump needs to be replaced (anyone know how to tell) I just told them I WANTED it replaced. My transmission service which includes the filter and 15 qts of fluid will run 119.99.
The water pump and Belt will be 414 + Tax. The bolt part numbers are 4 each
11588914
11588915 anyone have these parts numbers placed on their car yet?? If so have they worked?? Add comments as you see fit tell me what i should do!?!?! Im also going to talk to Pontiac Customer Care to try and get them to pay for some of this.
Thanks
Jim Thessin

[Rayz]

They’re killing you on the water pump and belt new after market parts are under 75 dollars!

[praasch]

i was thinking the same on the water pump...i replaced mine last summer....paid $30 for the water pump and no new belt....me and a friend replaced it ourselves...

total cost on the water pump:
$30 - Water Pump
$15 - Case of Bud Light

$45 Total for a new water pump installed.....

i'd re-think having them do that for that cost.....

[praasch]

also, i'm not sure on your experience with working on engines, but i just went through the LIM on my 3.1. before that, i had never worked on an engine before...couldn't tell you half of the stuff inside it...but i picked up a haynes manual and me and a friend dug into in....over 2 days we got it torn down and put back together...total cost of about $100 as apposed to $600-$700 at a shop....

if you got the determination, it can be done....

just an extra thought on that one....

[GrandAMjim]

unfortunantly i cannot do this... I am mechanically inclined just dont have all the tools i need... this cant be done with a small set of sockets and a couple of drivers..... besides i need this vehicle to be out of commision only 1 day. Its our only one( me and Wife) and she does inspections at night so more than 1 day wont cut it.
I AM re-thinking the waterpump but i thought i heard you had to do something with engine internals.. that it was connected to something important... just a thought im probably wrong.
If there is no leaking at the weep hole, and no sound from the bearings does that mean its probably good??? Anyway enough for now get back to work so i can leave..... Still no-one with those part numbers on their car?? come on guys i need to know if these are a better fix than what they have tried already.......
Jim

[praasch]

not sure on the parts...for my gaskets i went with felpros gaskets from autozone...ran $55 for upper/lower intakes and $12 for the valve cover gaskets...as far as bolts..i just re-used the stock ones and didn't change those out....

as i said before...re-consider the water pump....if is not leaking or squeaking...don't pay to mess with it....

to change it....all you have to do is release the tensioner to get the serp belt off....and then from there it is just pulling that one out and putting the new one on...i think my buddy had it done in well under an hour....fairly simple project....

[rixGAphx]

The WP on the 4-cyls (quads? I dunno) ARE a super-PITA cause they are inside the timing case cover and cam driven; or some such drivel.

But on the 2.8/3.1/3.4 V-6 family, the WP is totally external and relates to nothing other than it's hoses and the belt.

AND, if the weep hole isn't weeping more than dries after each drive, and isn't making any noise, then the seals are good and the bearing is good so it is absolutely fine.
The alt and PS pump must come off for the LIM gasket replacement, I don't recall if the WP must or not.
Either way, $414 for WP and belt is high.
* * *

Belt requires the separate operation of supporting the engine and removing the engine-mount bolts to slip the belt thru. About a 15 minute operation once you know what you're doing.

When the belt is replaced, the tensioner should *prolly* be replaced soon. It's expected to wear-out, but there's just no telling when it's time. Sometimes it makes a noise, progressively louder for a hundered miles or so. Other times, kaPLOW!
It's a PITA. It can be done separately from the belt, with no dublication of effort (if you do them at the same time, first replace the belt and test drive, then tackle the tensioner).
* * * *

120 is a tad high for a tranny flush, they're generally about $80-90 here in Phoenix at reputable non-dealer shops.
* * *

I doubt you're going to get any feedback on parts numbers, I personally don't keep track of that stuff (it's on the receipts SOMEWHERE, but where???).

As long as it's the redesigned gasket, does it matter what the part number is?
If it's a GM dealer replacing a GM part, don't you get the famous 'Mr. Goodwrench' lifetime warranty?

Good luck.
-Rick

[Rayz]

I have those numbers on my 2000 GA LIM receipt the work was done on 4/18/05.So far so good. I had the work done under my extended warranty with 0 deductible.