Thread: New here! few questions :)

Results 1 to 12 of 12

Hybrid View

Previous Post Previous Post   Next Post Next Post
  1. #1 New here! few questions :) 
    SE Level Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Location
    IL
    Posts
    10
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Introduction, I own a 2 door n/a 99 gt. 205k miles, still sharp as ever other than a few minor details. The drivetrain is where my concern lies. I have had TWO less than 80k replacement motors.. The original just started running very poor and something just gave... The second one, almost the same occurance. I was driving down the highway, less than two months after the dealer had replaced the previous engine and it just got a horrible top end knock.. Before I could get it off of the highway, something broke, smoke and oil was everywhere. No clue what went wrong.. Was just too pissed to care and wanted another engine. Now onto this one, every so often, on warm starts, it has a rough idle to it. Enough to feel. If I put it in drive, it will smooth out and run just fine. The previous two motors did this before blowing so it has me concerned. I know I am being vague but don't really know how to describe it more so. Any tips? Suggestions? Experiences?
    Reply With Quote  
     

  2. #2 Re: New here! few questions :) 
    Because Wet Leaves Hippo Machine's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Location
    Detroit, MI
    Posts
    1,725
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    These engines are prone to LIM gaskets failing, causing coolant to get into the oil, leading to rod knock, which sounds like what was your problem the last 2 times. TO prevent this, you have to replace the gasket with an aluminum one. Not sure about the running rough, maybe elaborate on it or get a video. Last oil change? Keep an eye on coolant level.


    iLoveSpade
    Reply With Quote  
     

  3. #3 Re: New here! few questions :) 
    SE Level Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Location
    IL
    Posts
    10
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    On a scale of 1-10, how difficult is the gasket change? I'm will to take any precationary route to keep this engine I changed the oil roughly two months ago.. Not many miles since then. Oil looked fine, just stretched the last oil change to about 7,000 miles due to it being a "new" motor... Wanted to see if there were any surprises with it.
    Reply With Quote  
     

  4. #4 Re: New here! few questions :) 
    GTP Level Member BlackGT97's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    820
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    with someone who is good with tools and has a fair amount of mechanics, probably like a 4. if you have no idea what you are doing probably like a 7 or 8. but there is a write up on how to do it, and plenty of us will give you help if needed. And hippo, you are forgetting that the glassed filled nylon intakes we got warp when they get hot. and the EGR tube likes to "melt" away the intake which will also cause coolant to be burned, therefor the upper intake should be replaced with a new intake manifold.
    1997 Grand prix GT Black Coupe- The beater
    1998 Grand prix GT Black coupe- Top swapped, XP cam
    2008 Grand prix Midnight blue- The slow but nice car
    1999 Chevrolet Silverado red ext. Cab
    Reply With Quote  
     

  5. #5 Re: New here! few questions :) 
    Because Wet Leaves Hippo Machine's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Location
    Detroit, MI
    Posts
    1,725
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    I haven't done it but would say a 5-6 there is a how to video somewhere on here but here is a thread: http://www.grandprixforums.net/lim-gasket-replacement-2-46950.html

    Fill up the coolant and make sure it isn't goin anywhere and post up a vid if possible.


    iLoveSpade
    Reply With Quote  
     

  6. #6 Re: New here! few questions :) 
    SE Level Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Location
    IL
    Posts
    10
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Would local parts stores carry that aluminum gasket? I will try to post a vid granted it will be sub par quality from my phone
    Reply With Quote  
     

  7. #7 Re: New here! few questions :) 
    GTP Level Member BlackGT97's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    820
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    advace auto parts will have it or autozone
    1997 Grand prix GT Black Coupe- The beater
    1998 Grand prix GT Black coupe- Top swapped, XP cam
    2008 Grand prix Midnight blue- The slow but nice car
    1999 Chevrolet Silverado red ext. Cab
    Reply With Quote  
     

  8. #8 Re: New here! few questions :) 
    GTP Level Member BlackGT97's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    820
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    to get the best prices order online and enter promo VISA when you check out. (at advancedautoparts.com )

    If you going to do it, you'll need the LIM gaskets-around 75 bucks for the aluminum ones
    and UIM gaskets-around 40 bucks. should get it all for about 80 bucks with the promotional code.
    1997 Grand prix GT Black Coupe- The beater
    1998 Grand prix GT Black coupe- Top swapped, XP cam
    2008 Grand prix Midnight blue- The slow but nice car
    1999 Chevrolet Silverado red ext. Cab
    Reply With Quote  
     

  9. #9 Re: New here! few questions :) 
    I live here. SlowNA06's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    Pennsylvania
    Posts
    5,928
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Quote Originally Posted by wilk84 View Post
    every so often, on warm starts, it has a rough idle to it. Enough to feel. If I put it in drive, it will smooth out and run just fine. The previous two motors did this before blowing so it has me concerned. I know I am being vague but don't really know how to describe it more so. Any tips? Suggestions? Experiences?
    This is not likely to be a LIM gasket failure. I wouldn't be worried about it in your position.

    To clarify, what we have is a rough idle in PARK, but no symptoms in DRIVE.
    Irridium spark plugs last 100k mi and work just as well as copper. Copper is a waste on N/A and only lasts 15k mi. Don't use Platinum.
    Use 195* tstat unless you can thoroughly explain why not; 99.9% don't need a lower temp.
    Almost any oil filter, ever, is of higher quality than ACDelco. Spend $6+.
    Reply With Quote  
     

  10. #10 Re: New here! few questions :) 
    GTP Level Member BlackGT97's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    820
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Quote Originally Posted by SlowNA06 View Post
    This is not likely to be a LIM gasket failure. I wouldn't be worried about it in your position.

    To clarify, what we have is a rough idle in PARK, but no symptoms in DRIVE.
    True: the LIM gaskets is not the cause of this problem....but every 3800 owner should be worried about it if they don't know what conditon their LIM gaskets are in.
    1997 Grand prix GT Black Coupe- The beater
    1998 Grand prix GT Black coupe- Top swapped, XP cam
    2008 Grand prix Midnight blue- The slow but nice car
    1999 Chevrolet Silverado red ext. Cab
    Reply With Quote  
     

  11. #11 Re: New here! few questions :) 
    GTP Level Member BlackGT97's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    820
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    now on to the real problem

    Do you have any codes...and if your engine light is'nt on, scan it anyways.
    1997 Grand prix GT Black Coupe- The beater
    1998 Grand prix GT Black coupe- Top swapped, XP cam
    2008 Grand prix Midnight blue- The slow but nice car
    1999 Chevrolet Silverado red ext. Cab
    Reply With Quote  
     

  12. #12 Re: New here! few questions :) 
    SE Level Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Location
    IL
    Posts
    10
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    That's correct. No codes, engine light has never come on. Once the car has warmed up, say if I shut it off and run into a store for example.. Upon starting it, it has a very lopey idle but once I put it in drive and accelerate, it smooths outs and has zero issues. I bought bosch platinum +4 plugs yesterday but took them back for AC DELCO iridium plugs today. I got the front three in but wasn't able to get the rear three. Couldn't get the wires off (cold and rainy, was tired of trying). I also bought a new fuel filter which I plan on changing tomorrow as well as running some Lucas through it... Just has me puzzled...
    Reply With Quote  
     

Similar Threads

  1. My WBS IC Questions
    By footballplaya3k in forum 3.8L V6 Supercharged (L67)(L32)
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 06-06-2011, 01:53 PM
  2. new here with questions
    By wide open 97 in forum Visual/Body Modifications
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 12-25-2010, 04:07 PM
  3. two questions???
    By iluvbst in forum General Tech Discussion
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 08-16-2010, 08:42 PM
  4. Alky Questions & Other Related Questions.
    By rynoman03 in forum 3.8L V6 Supercharged (L67)(L32)
    Replies: 24
    Last Post: 03-22-2010, 07:57 AM
  5. Car questions
    By Panther427 in forum 5.3L V8 (LS4)
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 07-18-2009, 12:01 AM
Tags for this Thread

View Tag Cloud

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
  •