How to tell if a car will have a bad LIM

[GingerKid]

MY sister is looking at buying a 2000 Grand Am GT1 with 66k. It seems like a good car, but is there any way to tell if there will be a possible LIM leak or will I just have to wait and see? Also, I am pretty good with older trucks, is this a hard thing to change? I'm assuming it can be done in under a weekend?

[99GrandAMSE]

... I just have to wait and see? ...

Welcome!! :)

You answered your own question :) ... seriously, some have it and some don't but in my experience it is just a matter of time ... consider it something like NEEDING to change the timing belt on a Honda every 100,000 KMs ... anyway, it is not a huge job and is just a mechanical type of fix and can be performed in 4-5-6 hours depending on your breaks and skill level ... if you have engine experience, you won't have any troubles ... good luck!!

[RazorDX]

It WILL happen with a 60degree V6. No question about it.

The only thing that you can do is ask the owner if it has already been done. Look to see if you can see any orange stripes between components like the valve covers indicating new gaskets; typically at 60k that's the only thing that would have caused a top-end rebuild.

It is a weekend job for sure. You can probably do it in a matter of hours, but something like that shouldn't be rushed. Give yourself a full weekend to do it, and make sure you have a way to get to a parts store and back.

[GtAudioFreak]

Look on the sides of the engine where the LIM meets the head, if you see a trail of oil or a puddle of coolant somewhere then there is a problem. Almost all GA's will have the problem at some point. My LIM is going out for the 2nd time in less than 50k miles.

[GtAudioFreak]

Man you guys are quick. When I was replying there were no replies and then boom 2 people beat me :)

[Deggy Fresh]

see if there is any paperwork about the gasket being changed or not.

[GingerKid]

Cool, thanks for the replies. I haven't seen the car yet, my sister just called from the dealer to ask me what I know. If it does need a new one, is it possible to use an aftermarket gasket or something that would prevent this or and I stuck with waiting for it to happen again?

[daman]

yup it's not if.......it's when it'll go.

I highly highly recomend you use fel-pro's permadry gasket
kit(#MS98003T)it's a steel base gasket that is a whole lot better then even
GM's "updated" gasket.

[GtAudioFreak]

It's really not too terribly expensive to replace. It cost me $550 ish to have mine done. But I got quoted as high as $1k also, just gotta look around.

[GingerKid]

I'm not too concerned about the price, I should be able to do it myself. I'm just trying to have to not do it again.

[daman]

I'm just trying to have to not do it again.
You will if she buy's it.....lol

[GtAudioFreak]

If you can do it, and the car is a good price, then have her get it. I love my car, and the LIM is about the only problem Ive had so far.

[daman]

Doing a LI in a GA is kids play, try one in a Montana van. ;)

[RazorDX]

It's not by any means hard, it's just tedious to remove the entire top end of the engine (other than the heads). You should get a gasket kit and replace 'em all while you're pulling everything. It's only maybe an hour total of extra work, but it saves you from another day's worth of hassle.

[GingerKid]

Awesome, thanks for the help. :toast: