EVERYTHING is wrong under the hood. Help??

**zacarroll** · 10-19-2011

Okay so I inherited my dad's 97 GT and it currently has about 270k miles on it. I'm sure a lot of my problems are just due to high mileage, but here's the symptom list: revs itself when first cranked and sometimes stalls out, leaks oil, transmission feels a little... I dunno, off. I love this car, and before it was my dad's it belonged to my now-deceased grandfather, and I desperately want to fix it up and get it running better than new. So I need some expert advice on what to do, and how to diagnose as much of this on my own as I can. I feel like doing it all myself will somehow do his memory justice. He loved this car. Thanks for any and all help in advance!

**Slick2500** · 10-19-2011

With that many miles best bet might be new engine and a new trans.

**FriboRage** · 10-19-2011

A lot of it really depends on how well it was taken care of before...

Check all the fluids, tranny fluid if you think it feels weird, if it's never been changed in 270k it's probably pretty ugly and you may want to consider just having it rebuilt. A fluid change at that mileage might do more harm than good if it hasnt been well maintained.

Keep the oil fresh and clean, 3k miles or 3 months whichever comes first.

I dunno, at that mileage it's really dependent on the condition of all the internals, how much wear and damage has been done, etc... there's not really much you can say "should" be good, it's all chance.

You can find a used motor and trans for not huge amounts if you look around, check out Morad

**BillBoost37** · 10-19-2011

Everything isn't wrong. Just your perception. The other couple guys did a good job of explaining reality about the mileage etc. However I know of guys with over 300K on these motors. Transmission..well clutches and seals do wear out.

Let's go for the "big" issues first.
Revs up and sometimes stalls. That sounds like vacuum leak off the top of my bald head. There are a few different vacuum connectors under there and they should be checked out. Especially the ones on the front side of the throttle body. Check'm, fix'm, replace'm as needed. Does the rev issue still exist?

Oil leaks: Let's get more specific. You say leaks and I can think of 2-3 typical leaks on these cars. Give us more details. Clean the motor down and drive it a bit. Find out where the leaks appear to be coming from. Then we can help you with how to fix them.

**zacarroll** · 10-19-2011

Thanks for all the answers guys! As far as the leak goes, I'm not sure what exactly it is, but I have a sneaking suspicion about the head gasket. Completely uncomfirmed but just a hunch, based on what my dad tells me from when he had the car. I've looked into it and they're not very pricey, so no big deal there. As far as everything else, I'm an 18-year-old college student, who makes $180 a week max, so the more cost-effective the solution the better. The tranny isn't a big deal, it's only done it perhaps three times, but I'm sure it's well on its way to croaking. For reference, nothing was particularly well-kept. As of right now, the engine is coated in dirt and grime, and the oil consistently went beyond its effective life span, so my baby is in need of some real TLC. Thanks again and keep 'em coming!

**BillBoost37** · 10-19-2011

Clean engine bay and engine.

Check valve covers by running your finger under the edge of them. You'll find the VC's are leaking. It's one of the most common leaks.

Put that thought about head gasket out of your mind. YOu have better chances of getting struck by lightning three times in a minute while standing in Colorado on a sunny day.

**RamairGTP2** · 10-19-2011

Head gaskets don't tend to go *bad * on these cars ... Just follow up with what Bill told you and report back to us. It just sounds like your car needs some much needed TLC and once you do that, you should be good to go for a lot longer.

**zacarroll** · 10-19-2011

Lol okay, thanks guys. Shows how much I know XD I'm learning though!

**BillBoost37** · 10-19-2011

It's cool, we'll help ya out.

FWIW, I picked up a very unmaintained 161K mile Regal a little over a year ago.

Automatically I did LIM gaskets, VC gaskets, TB gasket and that solved about 80% of the oil leaks and bad maintenance from the prior owner. Then I found the air filter said "64,361 Geno 4/2/05" on it. Guy I bought from said he got it right at abot 65K miles. That's how little he did.

**zacarroll** · 10-19-2011

Wow, I'll bear that in mind! You'll have to forgive my utter ignorance, but where exactly should I be looking under the valve covers?

**BillBoost37** · 10-19-2011

See the lowest edge of the valve cover where it touches the head, right above the exhaust manifolds. run your finger along there. If your engine is cleaned and it comes back dripping wet with fresh oil..then you know they are leaking.

**Reptile** · 10-19-2011

Also, I don't think it was mentioned, but I'd look at the lower intake gasket where it meets the head, and see what color they are. IF they are black plastic, you may just want to automatically replace them. The better new ones are aluminum and a silver color, and while you're at it might as well do the valve cover gaskets as well. On a car that high mileage, I wouldn't doubt one bit that the vacuum boots are all cracked and rotted. A few simple maintenance procedures and you could give the car a new life.

**BillBoost37** · 10-19-2011

Originally Posted by BillBoost37

It's cool, we'll help ya out.

FWIW, I picked up a very unmaintained 161K mile Regal a little over a year ago.

Automatically I did LIM gaskets, VC gaskets, TB gasket and that solved about 80% of the oil leaks and bad maintenance from the prior owner. Then I found the air filter said "64,361 Geno 4/2/05" on it. Guy I bought from said he got it right at abot 65K miles. That's how little he did.

Here ya go Brian..didn't quite say .. do it, but I planted the info.

**Reptile** · 10-19-2011

Sorry Bill....better start paying better attention to the forums and not at work. LOL

**BillBoost37** · 10-19-2011

It's all cool, did you see Nick and i totally biff a thread yesterday? We totally missed how the guy quoted himself and added to it etc.

**Reptile** · 10-19-2011

No, but then again I don't have enough time to look over every thread either.

**blueguy** · 10-19-2011

Originally Posted by BillBoost37

It's all cool, did you see Nick and i totally biff a thread yesterday? We totally missed how the guy quoted himself and added to it etc.

That was minor details, LOL

**zacarroll** · 10-19-2011

Okay so about that whole clean engine thing... not even close. I'm about to go pick up some degreaser now, is there anything I should wrap off to keep from getting wet or can I just douse the whole thing?