Thread: Lots o probs. Fix or sell? HELP!

Now don't hang me, I love my 97 GTP... I'd rather have it than most cars (still hunting a blk 02 WS6 tho). So here are my problems:

-Got an AC leak. Got a job with a marketing firm and I can't show up sweating to death. Gotta have this fixed...

-Driver side window frozen up.

-Coupler for SC. Got the rock-tumbling noise.

-Damn CD player won't play CD's anymore. Will never go without a 7-band equalizer again though, the audiophile in me loves making radio sound like it's playing off a CD. So a direct replacement or an expensive upgrade... Also, anyone do a Double DIN install? It's technically what the radio in is right? I can't find installs for it though...

-I need replacements for EVERY pulley. And reference to good belts (both reg. and supercharger)...

-Door bumper panels have... banana'd? Went from Florida to TN to NC in 2 months and it ruined these! Also ruined my rear tint!

-Been hovering in the middle for my water temp... So I've been told it means my radiator and/or cooling fans need to be replaced. Been seeing rust in my radiator. Mechanic also saying cooling fans aren't coming on when they are supposed to.

-Gas. I've gotten used to getting 25 mpg without the supercharger hooked up and was wondering if there is any way to keep that when it is all fixed... Was 20mpg ONLY if I ran into no traffic. 13mpg if heavy footed. 17mpg average. That mean some other problems?

-My dash (right in front of wheel) has... separated? It happened a while ago. If I want that fixed... I have to replace whole dash, don't I?

-I know I need a new transmission. Not immediately but... Been shifting her manually for a while now. It likes to stick in 3rd if it's in drive every so often. Also, gas mileage is better. I never dog my baby.

-Oil filter protector cover? Mine is pretty thrashed, and touches my wheel if I turn real sharp.

-The leather (or w/e) is starting to come off the doors. Shows at the arm rest part and around the controls (keeps coming out from under it after I prod it back under).

-Do they sell that paint for the lettering on the controls? Wheel and driver door controls are worn.

-Is their any way to make the HUD more accurate? I don't know which is the right speed, and I'm fairly certain 1 or more tickets is because of it. (HUD is ~3mph more)

-Windshield wipers... Any suggestions on a specific kind? (Yes. This is now my checklist)

AC is my big thing. If I can get that fixed on the cheap, then I'm not selling my baby. If it's expensive, then regardless I need to fix window and, seeing as summer isn't around TOO much longer, I might be able to get by with it. OCD is killing me with my paint on right door bumper all lightning(d?) up and the left being... costly in tape to put back on permanently. Anyone 'round me with some parts for the cheap, or maybe some advise? Right now, anything helps. Web links, craigslist, anything. Lot of good memories with my car and I don't wanna see her go.

Put some uv dye in the ac system and see where its leaking. Hook your supercharger back up and keep your foot out of the gas and you'll probably get better gas mileage

Door moldings ? use double sided 3M tape ,

oil temp ? or do you mean water temp ? halfway is normal for water temp

why is your s/c belt off? when on is it making a rocks tumbling around sound at idle? and if you take the s/c pulley in hand, and snap it back and fourth do you feel play in the shaft and feel a clicking?

if so thats just a coupler and is fixable and can be run like that. the only pulleys you have to replace possibly are idlers and tensioners. the rest are water pump, p/s pump, a/c, alternator and harmonic balancer.

the window, you need whats called a power window regulator, its the motor and new track. easy fix as well.

a/c, yeah that can cost ya, look for a oily mess at all the a/c connections or sensors, the oil mess is from the leak. you may need to wipe it all down clean it up good, charge it with some dye stuff, and wait to find it. or get est at a a/c shop and bite the bullet.

fixing this car im sure will cost less than finding another used car with unknown problems, at least with this car you have a good idea whats wrong and what needs to be fixed asap.

It's off cause the nosecone sound like 'rocks tumbling'. That's why I got a replacement (sorry, didn't make that clear).

How much is that usually, if anyone know off top of head? I don't really have the time right now to look... ><

I was getting my car exec. detailed every 2 weeks (120$, whole car, engine bay, etc...) I wonder if the cleaner messed up my AC. It WAS fine before I left for FL. During trip it all leaked out I think.

I need a machine shop or something to change nosecone right?

Well it comes down to fix a paid off car OR deal with payments and fixing whatever might be wrong with new to you car. IMHO fix the current ride. There is so much info on this site to help out.

UV dye... Where do I get that? My mechanic didn't say anything about dye. Just said to try a can of 'stop leak' (He is free... and my step-dad *shrug*). Though I probably should mention... a 35$ can of the cold stuff leaked out overnight. That means it's bad, right?

And I remember what it was like with the SC all hooked up. 20mpg ONLY if I ran into no traffic. 13mpg if heavy footed. 17mpg average.

**Just remembered. My dash (right in front of wheel) has... separated? It happened a while ago. If I want that fixed... I have to replace whole dash, don't I?

vid of how to change the coupler, its easy and under 50 to do yourself.

<.< Wow... Quick. Thanks! I was sure it was more complicated than that.

Actually... My pulley should still be good on original nosecone right? My friend... ugh, tried to take the pulley off replacement with a hammer. So it's got some nicks... Doesn't look damaged really, just scratched.

keep your friend away from your car, never let him even ride in it, hes not smart lol

make sure its still spins true, not out of whack. you need a special puller to get it off and back on. and headers before you drop a pulley size as well. or you will be posting the next what is this noise thread, aka blown up bottom end.

It's funny cause he IS technically a mechanic. Works at a car garage/junkyard.

Not that stupid. Okay, so it's redundant to ask, but that means I don't need to replace my nosecone?

Also, just to get the nagging feeling from the back of my head, when do I need to start saving up for a rebuild/replacement? I know 186k isn't a super large amount of miles, but still...

Also, I know I need a new transmission. Not immediately but... Been shifting her manually for a while now. It likes to stick in 3rd if it's in drive every so often. Also, gas mileage is better. I never dog my baby.

Wow, can't believe I forgot about the special puller. Duh. Well, it was late at night when I first posted.

I forgot this; Can you buy the oil filter protector cover? Mine is pretty thrashed, and touches my wheel if I turn real sharp.

i would think your snout is ok, provided you friend with a hammer didn't kill the bearings from hitting it.

dont know what the oil filter protector is, i have nothing covering mine, but i drive a regal so what do i know lol.

unless your talking about the splash shield at the bottom of the wheel well.(covers the balancer from the wheel well) you can buy new push clips to hold it where it belongs.

Then I'd need to drill new holes... It'd probably be better to just go to a junkyard. Yeah, splash guard is what it is. Fairly certain half of it is missing as well... XD

Dont use stop leak in an ac system it does more harm than good.

Originally Posted by dsmuts

Dont use stop leak in an ac system it does more harm than good.

Will do, thanks.