major problem!!!

[prescill]

As a couple of you now, that my 99 grand-am engine has had major problems over and over again. I first had the lower intake manifold gasket done at 62000km in feb 2001, then again in july2003 at 130,000km, then agin at 207,000km in febuary 2005. I started losing antifreeze agin during the summer and fall, no leaks, so a head gasket test was done and sure enough the antifreeze level came up and over the tank. Question I have 263,000km on it, the frame is good,paint is good and most other parts have been replaced. Should I get the head gasket done or go for a new engine. Antifreeze has been in engine four times now and something got to break soon in there because of it. To fix the head gasket about 1500.00 plus tax, but I can get a new engine still wrapped half price for about 2600.00 compared to 4700.00 at G.M. What would you do???

[wokeupscreamin]

if everything is in as good of condition as you say.. I would just get the new engine.. then you would practically have a new car. Some engines will just never work right. if this engine had these problems.. this many times.. then if you fix it you are just setting yourself up for failure again.

[gunblaze]

Get a new engine!!
While your at it "have you ever concidered just putting in a 3800 series" instead of the same old 3400 ?

It would be more to invest at first but the 3800 is a way better engine, plus you would be way more happy with the performance.

[TA^Guy]

Originally posted by gunblaze
Get a new engine!!
While your at it "have you ever concidered just putting in a 3800 series" instead of the same old 3400 ?

It would be more to invest at first but the 3800 is a way better engine, plus you would be way more happy with the performance.
A 3800 won't just drop into a Grand Am. There is a bit of custom fabrication that needs to be done including new axles.

[GrandAmSSE]

Originally posted by wokeupscreamin
if everything is in as good of condition as you say.. I would just get the new engine.. then you would practically have a new car. Some engines will just never work right. if this engine had these problems.. this many times.. then if you fix it you are just setting yourself up for failure again.

That what I told myself in september when I had a new motor put in my jetta. Still haven't got the thing back.

[Jordon'sGrandAm]

I just say rebuild the whole motor and put better stuff on it.

[prescill]

Someone is looking at it again to see what the best thing to do with the motor, I still have no clue onreally what to do. It's alot of money

[prescill]

By the way isthis a comon problem with this year of car/ motor

[sunrunner_pei]

LIM gasket is quite common, but having it happen over and over is not. There are redesigned gaskets and new bolts which certainly help. At first glance one would suspect a poor replacement job. :(

To answer your question though, it's a tough call. I think if it were me, I'd be looking for a different engine or a different car. Or at the very least a different mechanic. :(

[prescill]

Is it possible that the head has been warped or cracked since I had it first done at 62,000 km at Mac phee pontiac in darmouth. Since then I could not get the lim from leaking again,it seems every 60,000km. My mechanic said the same thing as you shawn, having it happen over and over again is not. He has done many other 3.4L and they never came back. He has used new bolts each time and the last time he used the redesigned gasket .

[RocketFast321]

Originally posted by prescill
By the way isthis a comon problem with this year of car/ motor

It's a common problem with the 3400 and 3100.

[RickHigginsHtbr]

I say get new heads, plus the redesigned gaskets... Aren't there performance heads out there? Sorry, don't follow the 3400 performance a whole lot.

[prescill]

Well i got the engine fixed, new one was 2005 and sensors, oil pan would not work. Total cost came to 2093.00, including new plugs, wires , rad hoses and rear brake shoes. But it gets worse, abslight and trac off were on befor it went in, I thought it was a wheel bearing. Turns out the abs computer is corrided in two causing the system not to work. Gm wants about 1500, used are imposible to find either broken like mine or someone else buys it. Anybody have one for sale buy chance.