Thread: Overheating problem 96 Grand Prix 3.1l

Page 2 of 2 FirstFirst 12
Results 21 to 31 of 31
  1. #21 Re: Overheating problem 96 Grand Prix 3.1l 
    SE Level Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2017
    Location
    Boise, Idaho
    Posts
    53
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Chats
    0
    I'm gonna have to take off the exhaust manifold in order to get the thermostat out. The ***** just keeps overheating.
    Reply With Quote  
     

  2. #22 Re: Overheating problem 96 Grand Prix 3.1l 
    I break things. WarStryker13's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2014
    Location
    Frederick, MD
    Posts
    2,691
    Thanks (Received)
    4
    Likes (Received)
    38
    Dislikes (Received)
    1
    Chats
    10330
    Not the entire manifold, just the crossover. Just a fair warning, those bolts are going to snap. Almost a guarantee... So I'd look for some replacements before you start pulling it off. Basically anything laying in the bottom of a tool box that will fit in the holes and has a nut.

    04 GP GT2: Handling upgrades, go-slow parts, and an attitude. Totaled.
    87 Dodge Ram 50:​ Junkyard rescue, resurrection in progress.
    Reply With Quote  
     

  3. #23 Re: Overheating problem 96 Grand Prix 3.1l 
    Killa Bee Scottydoggs's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    new jersey
    Posts
    39,995
    Thanks (Received)
    63
    Likes (Received)
    166
    Dislikes (Received)
    5
    Chats
    243824

    98 Buick Regal GS, F body brakes, Caddy STS wheels, tinted tails L36 bottom end, lightly ported heads, 1.95 roller rockers, headers, gen 5 N* 3.0 pulley, FSIC, 42 lb injectors, a BrandonHall rebuilt trans, DHP tuned and AEM water/Meth injection https://goo.gl/gpV5kW
    Reply With Quote  
     

  4. #24 Re: Overheating problem 96 Grand Prix 3.1l 
    Killa Bee Scottydoggs's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    new jersey
    Posts
    39,995
    Thanks (Received)
    63
    Likes (Received)
    166
    Dislikes (Received)
    5
    Chats
    243824
    https://youtu.be/uy-WefQFq-k?t=19 and dont ya know, they sell a bent wrench just for this pos job.

    id be buying and bending a 13 mm wrench myself. cause 30 bucks aint gonna happen.

    98 Buick Regal GS, F body brakes, Caddy STS wheels, tinted tails L36 bottom end, lightly ported heads, 1.95 roller rockers, headers, gen 5 N* 3.0 pulley, FSIC, 42 lb injectors, a BrandonHall rebuilt trans, DHP tuned and AEM water/Meth injection https://goo.gl/gpV5kW
    Reply With Quote  
     

  5. #25 Re: Overheating problem 96 Grand Prix 3.1l 
    SE Level Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2017
    Location
    Boise, Idaho
    Posts
    53
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Chats
    0
    Yeah that's the thing. I can't spend money on the wrench. They make a wrench specifically for this but nowhere carries it and nobody knows what it is. So I'd have to order it online and then wait for it to get here but I'm not even entirely sure it'd work. So, what is the crossover? If it's the one on the drivers side, I already attempted to take it off and broke one of the bolts. The rest is stuck in the hole. I'm kinda afraid to try and take the other ones out. The heater core hose connector still needs fixed too because that is leaking really bad but there's not a way to get to it without taking the entire top end apart. There's gotta be an easier way to do these jobs.
    Reply With Quote  
     

  6. #26 Re: Overheating problem 96 Grand Prix 3.1l 
    SE Level Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2017
    Location
    Boise, Idaho
    Posts
    53
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Chats
    0
    If I use a 13mm distributor clamp wrench, would that work to get the thermostat off?
    Reply With Quote  
     

  7. #27 Re: Overheating problem 96 Grand Prix 3.1l 
    GTP Level Member LeadfootCJ7's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Location
    Houston, TX
    Posts
    672
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    1
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Chats
    0
    I can replace a 3.1 thermostat without removing the crossover. I am not saying it is a 5 minute job, but it can be done without special tools. Just a little patience.
    2007 Grand Prix GXP;2002 Camaro Z28 - tune, CAI, and exhaust
    2006 GMC 2500HD - ATS high flow manifolds and uppipes, turbo back exhaust, blocked EGR, Denali headlights, Reflexxion Cown Hood
    1994 Olds Cutlass Supreme 2 door
    Reply With Quote  
     

  8. #28 Re: Overheating problem 96 Grand Prix 3.1l 
    I break things. WarStryker13's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2014
    Location
    Frederick, MD
    Posts
    2,691
    Thanks (Received)
    4
    Likes (Received)
    38
    Dislikes (Received)
    1
    Chats
    10330
    Don't be afraid to break the crossover bolts, that's usually the only way to get them off. Just use a hammer and punch to pop the old bolt out, or drill it out if it refuses to budge. Just make sure you can get some kind of replacement bolts, so you can get it back on when you're done.

    If you still want to keep the crossover on, a distributor clamp wrench would probably work pretty well.

    And yes, the crossover is the pipe that crosses over the transmission right under the throttle body.

    04 GP GT2: Handling upgrades, go-slow parts, and an attitude. Totaled.
    87 Dodge Ram 50:​ Junkyard rescue, resurrection in progress.
    Reply With Quote  
     

  9. #29 Re: Overheating problem 96 Grand Prix 3.1l 
    SE Level Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2017
    Location
    Boise, Idaho
    Posts
    53
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Chats
    0
    So I ended up taking off the crossover pipe and only breaking the head off of one bolt. I replaced the thermostat, and heater core hose connector, refilled my coolant, then bled the system. Drove okay but gauge fluctuated between 210 and 225. Then I noticed it was still leaking. It was leaking from a small hose that connects to the throttle body. Coolant was dripping onto the crossover pipe and getting hot causing it to make the car look like it's overheating. Gauge still went up high. I replaced the hose. Still overheats. Still leaks coolant from somewhere or somehow causes the engine to have smoke. What could this be? Comes from near the bottom of the throttle body. I know those hoses are not leaking so I'm not sure what it is. The heat works great. Car also seems to be lacking some power when driven and idles kinda rough. When I have my foot on the gas of brake, I can feel the engine running and it seems like it's running rough but isn't throwing a code or chugging. It also sounds slightly different when driving and idles at about 600 or so rpms. Neither of my cooling fans are currently working either which i assume is part of the problem. Only one was working up until yesterday and now neither of them work. So, what could be causing all of this? Is my grand prix done for? Or should I keep trying to fix it and spend hard earned money on it? Any help or advice would be much appreciated!
    Reply With Quote  
     

  10. #30 Re: Overheating problem 96 Grand Prix 3.1l 
    GT Level Member Gregorius's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    Davenport, IA
    Posts
    249
    Thanks (Received)
    1
    Likes (Received)
    1
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Chats
    86
    Did you do the water pump? The impeller blades rust into nothing.... See Below.



    Overheating problem 96 Grand Prix 3.1l Attached Images
    Dude! Full Service Manuals! 2004-'08 User manuals, full docs wiring diagrams trouble codes... go look.
    WarStryker13's Google drive
    ... our lady of blessed exceleration, don't fail me now ...
    Reply With Quote  
     

  11. #31 Re: Overheating problem 96 Grand Prix 3.1l 
    I break things. WarStryker13's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2014
    Location
    Frederick, MD
    Posts
    2,691
    Thanks (Received)
    4
    Likes (Received)
    38
    Dislikes (Received)
    1
    Chats
    10330
    It sounds like it was a bad tstat, since now it stays in a temp range instead of overheating after a short drive. As for the leak, I get the feeling that little hose isn't supposed to have coolant going through it.

    Did you replace the tstat housing gasket? If not, you're gonna kick yourself for it. If you did put a new gasket in there, I'd try tightening up the housing just a bit more, not hulk smash kinda tight, but make it difficult to get it back off. I'd replace the TB gasket while you're in there, as well as the water pump. The whole rough idle and lack of power could be a vacuum leak. And a new water pump is always a good idea when you're having overheating issues with a GM V6.

    Honestly, you'll spend less fixing up this GP than you would on most other "reliable" vehicles... Parts are usually really cheap and there's still plenty in junkyards to pull the hard to find bits from.

    04 GP GT2: Handling upgrades, go-slow parts, and an attitude. Totaled.
    87 Dodge Ram 50:​ Junkyard rescue, resurrection in progress.
    Reply With Quote  
     

Page 2 of 2 FirstFirst 12

Similar Threads

  1. Grand prix keep overheating
    By BigBoyGTO in forum Introductions/Noob Questions
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 04-10-2013, 08:56 PM
  2. 2001 3.8L V-6 Grand Prix GT overheating
    By Kathy Nipper Smith in forum Introductions/Noob Questions
    Replies: 22
    Last Post: 07-13-2012, 11:44 PM
  3. Overheating Grand Prix
    By mhartwig in forum General Tech Discussion
    Replies: 24
    Last Post: 11-02-2010, 11:14 AM
  4. Grand prix GT 1998 Overheating
    By GrandPrixGT98 in forum General Tech Discussion
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 10-11-2010, 07:07 PM
  5. 96 grand prix overheating issue
    By Nuzzget in forum 3.1L V6 (LHO/LG8)
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 07-10-2009, 12:37 AM
Bookmarks
Bookmarks
Posting Permissions
  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •