Thread: $500 97 Grand Prix GT Repair Progress

So I'm starting to have doubts as to how long I can keep this car from falling apart. I got the bolt rethreaded and used some washers to help tighten it. I still hear what sounds like a tiny air leak coming from either the thermostat or the vacuum line, but the car runs fine. Problem is, now I seem to have a leak back near where I replaced the coolant elbow. Sometimes you can feel water hit you when standing in front of the car, which makes me think it's hitting the serpentine belt. Unfortunately I can't find the leak, though I'm losing fluid again.

My car overheats so much I know it's just a matter of time before something breaks, and I don't think I have the ability to fix whatever the leak is. Taking it to a shop isn't worth it, so right now I'm just putting water in (And trying to be nice by using distilled when I can) every couple times I drive. Despite putting water in, it still gets hot enough that I can smell the engine if I drive for more than 10 or 15 minutes.

It feels slightly moist around a gasket I see that's close to the coolant elbow. It's connected to the big black box above the engine, I think it's the water inlet or something like that? Anyway I can't tell for sure, so I might replace the gasket just to see, but in all honesty I'm not even 100% sure the gasket near the thermostat isn't leaking, even though I don't actually see a leak anywhere.

Looks like I might have to get a car loan and get a car with less problems. Either way I need another car soon, my wife and I both work and have one (commonly broken) car between the two of us.

My Grand Prix has a circulation problem and I can't afford the surgery. Nothing to do now but wait. *Bows head in respect*

Originally Posted by InfidelRebel

I'm just going to use this thread to keep track of how much I spend fixing the $500 97 Grand Prix GT I bought awhile back.

Finished:
Replaced the exhaust hanger so my muffler doesn't scrape against the ground.
-Cost: $4 and a half hour of struggling.
Changed the thermostat and gasket. Old themostat opened too easily.
-Cost: $14, thermostat ($8), gasket ($2), and sealant ($4).
Replaced the front right headlight.
-Cost: $8 for the headlight
Flushed the radiator and replaced the coolant.
-Cost: $14 for Prestone coolant.
-Mechanic's quote: $100
Put in an exhaust connector and a metal strapping kit to fix the exhaust.
-Cost: $6, 1 7/8" exhaust connector ($3), and metal strapping kit ($3)
Cut the engine coolant overflow hose (Don't know the technical name). I accidently hit the hose with a wrench and cracked it. I cut about 2 inches off the hose (Where the crack was) and put it back on.
-Cost: Free
Replaced front and rear brake pads. I was originally quoted $400 to replace front and rear brake pads and rotors, but after taking the wheels off I realized the rotors are fine.
-Cost: $30 for front and read brake pads.
-Mechanic's quote: $400 to replace pads and rotors.
Total: $76


Need To Be Done:
Fix A/C. It blows hot air. Will trying charging it, and if that doesn't help I'll look for leaks.
Replace blower motor resistor. Air only works on max setting
Replace front struts. Not a priority, needs to be done but right now I don't have the time or money, so we'll see.
Replace sway bar. The right end link is broken.

Replaceing that heater resistor is a pain, I remoed my pass seat to make it easyer, youll need a 1/4 socket set. once you get the motor out the resistor is above it against the fire wall held by 3 screws I think, the 2 screws in the back you dont have to take all the way out cause the resistor just slides on tabs, Id say it takes about 30 to 45 min. goodluck. I have some pics of the install if ur intrested...

might it be leaking from the lower intake manifold gasket?

Originally Posted by Liquifire

If you went to school for autobody you should know that you just can't sand rust away and bondo over it. You have to either sandblast it or chemically treat it, or replace the whole area with new metal. If you sand it and just use body filler(bondo) to go over it, there is still rust there and it will come back. You have to fix it right, otherwise don't paint over it. Infidel.... do you see the coolant puddling anywhere like near your injectors or anyplace on the intake manifold?

Rust Killer FTW

good thread. i just bought a 99 gtp for $750 which im currently fixing up and restoring. I might make a thread like this when i get alittle more fixed. good luck on the repairs and dont give up hope.

So tonight things took a turn for the worse. I had to drive my wife to work or I wouldn't have driven it at all, but I noticed that there's now a definite leak somewhere. The car also makes a high pitched sound that most would describe as a whistle, but I now it's really my car screaming in pain. When pouring water in the radiator cap, it immediately leaks out. It's dark right now so I can't see for sure, but I'm pretty sure the problem is the water pump. I was planning on getting a new one in the morning, but now I think I have bigger problems.

On my way home (About 5 minutes ago) my temperatures went higher than usual (Because of the fact I have no water, stupid me for driving it). Usually since having my coolant problems my temperatures don't go higher than 200, but a mile from home they started going up to about 240-250 (Near the red). My power steering went, the service engine soon light came on, and the acceleration stopped working. Popped the hood, and my radiator was so hot it was literally glowing red. I poured some water on it to cool it down, waited awhile, and managed to get it home. However I wouldn't be at all suprised damaged the block or head gasket. I know before today the head gasket was ok, but now I'm not so sure. Would I have heard any sounds if the head gasket went?

Also, my temperature gauge did something weird. It went up to about 240, then down to 150, then slowly back up to about 230 again, then down to about 200, then up again. The reason I find this odd is I had no water in it, is this just the pressure building up and then escaping through a leak?

It was so stupid to drive that. The last couple weeks I've been fine filling up with water, driving for awhile, then filling up the next time I drive, mainly because any leak I had was so small that it took hours to drain. Now I obviously have a much bigger leak. I'm going to look at it in the morning, probably take it to a mechanic and see what the damage is.

So I spent all day fixing my car. Bought a new water pump and replaced it, then I noticed the coolant elbow was leaking again, so I adjusted that to stop the leaking, then I noticed the thermostat gasket leaking agin, so I fixed that, then I finally noticed my head gasket is gone (At least I'm pretty sure). The rear of the engine block is leaking a lot of water, and I can't see where it's coming from. Also throwing a misfiring first cyclinder.

Putting it on Craigslist tomorrow. I can't afford to get this fixed, and even if I did who knows what other problems there are now. I wish there was a cheap fix for a head gasket, but even if I get one used I'd have to have a shop mill it down, right? Probably no way to fix it for a couple hundred I'm guessing?

I'm gonna have to accept my dad's offer to loan me money for a new car. I have (had) one car between my wife and I and we both work. After the hell I put the GT through I doubt it's ever going to be reliable again. I still appreciate the 3,000 miles it took me cross country though.

The oil looks fine as far as I could see, I'm running water instead of coolant right now because of the leak, and it's water that's leaking out. My dad thinks it's a head gasket, do our cars have two head gaskets or one? Like I said, I can't see exactly where the leak is, I just know it's somewhere toward the back of the engine, near the black plastic thing (Which I'm guessing is the intake manifold). If that's the case, I don't know how much that would cost to replace, but if it's not too much I'll definitely fix it instead of selling it. The alternative is selling it and using the money to go toward buying a more expensive (But more reliable) car. My dad offered to give me a loan, since I'm about to buy a house and already have a lot of credit card debt, so a car loan won't help any.

I'm about to go to work, but after I'll take a better look and maybe get a second opinion. It would be awesome if it's something I could fix myself, either by getting a junk yard part or just being able to do it for a hundred or two. From what I've read, the lower intake manifold would be about $40-$80? I'll keep you guys updated on what happens after I find out for sure what the problem is. Thanks for any help.

If it was the head gasket, even running straight water you would still be able to see the diffrence of the oil with water in it. the water doesnt mix with oil it seperates and kinda floats on top would be easily noticable in a drain pan. Like liquifire said id check the intake gaskets first befor diving into a head problem. Good luck

I had my GT overheat once, and about 1 month later the oil and coolant were mixing. I needed the plenum (black plastic housing on top) replaced because it became warped from the overheating. I took it to a shop and it cost me 1200 total, half of which was labor, and one day for them to fix. Probably could of gotten the parts for under 300.

In the two years I've had mine, I've invested in over $5k, which includes an 1100 audio system, and 60k miles. My only regret is that I didnt get a gtp, but now have a solid running car, no car payments and low insurance.
The cost of the car + repairs, and I'm looking at just under 400/month for 24mos.
I could of had new car too, but now hopefully I get another 2 years with minimal maintenance.

You seem to like the car, and mechanically inclined. I'm sure you could fix it up eventually, but it would be a costly hobby. Good luck with whatever you choose.

Well it looks like I'm selling it. I really do like that car, but as I said I need something more reliable. I'm in no rush to sell it, and I may instead buy a car and try to fix this one if time/money allows. Eventually I'll need two cars anyway, since using one car between the wife and I gets hectic. I wish I could keep it if for no other reason than this forums is so great for support and info.

Right now I'l looking between an 02 Mitsubishi Galant with 109k for $2900, and an 02 Kia Spectra with 50k for $2750. There's also a 2000 Ford Focus for $2500 (Don't know milage). For around the same price I also found a sexy 94 Camaro, but I think getting a car that old would give me more problems than the one I already have. Right now I'm just looking for something dependable, and in the mean time I might try to get my GP in decent shape if I can afford to. Budget is around $3000 and I live in Vegas. Any recommendations?