Opinions please??

J

Joshua312

New member
Hey everyone, have a question for you guys...just would appreciate some other opinions. Here is the deal, I was planning on selling my 99 Grand Prix GTP next month for $6,000 or best offer and was going to get into a 02' Tahoe with 90,000 miles on it. My GTP currently has 137,000 miles. My check engine light came on Sunday night while driving home in the blizzard, figured it was just the cold weather so I took it in the next day, had it checked and engine code Po300 came back, multi-cylinder misfire.



Had it brought in yesterday to get it fixed, had a full tune-up changing all the plugs, wires, belts, filters and coilpacks. All to the tune of $330. Now I just recieved a phone call and my Intake is leaking coolant and that will cost another $500 to fix. Just before winter I put new tires on for another $1,000.



Now my question to you is, what should I do? Should I sell my car this spring still and get into the Tahoe or now that I have put so many new parts on my car should I stick with it? Are the parts I got brand new going to really prolong the life of my engine or what? I have never had a problem with the car, just was going to get rid of it because I wanted something different but now I dont even know if it will be worth it to to get something with 50,000 less miles. Any opinions?
 
I woulda gave your GTP a tune up for a case of beer.



Its VERY uncommon for 90 degree V6's to have a LIM leak.
 
Coupe said:
I woulda gave your GTP a tune up for a case of beer.



Its VERY uncommon for 90 degree V6's to have a LIM leak.
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For some reason I dont think all the new parts I got would equal a case of beer haha :) When I go there after work he is going to show me the leak so we shall see...I think he said it was the Intake Gasket not the manifold? Just really up in the air of what to do now.
 
Well i meant you buy the parts and a case of beer :lol Still woulda saved you at least $200.



You have either a head gasket leak or a lower intake manifold leak (LIM). Since he said $500 im assuming its a LIM leak, if it was a head gasket your lookin at $800-$1000.

I was just sayin its rare on the 90 degrees but it does happen from time to time.
 
Are you using the original coolant?



Did they use the Orange DexCool? There are some issues with that stuff..especially if you change out or top it with the Green type.
 
Dexcool being a problem is a myth and only a myth.



There are a select few GM engines that have LIM leaks that are cuase by the extreme angle of the heads and lim. That and alot of the gaskets GM uses are sub-par for such an extreme angle and the design of the gasket. Make sure they replace the gasket with a felpro gasket.
 
Coupe said:
Make sure they replace the gasket with a felpro gasket.
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Thanks for the info Coupe! I will update this thread tonight with my bill so you can see all the parts they actually replaced and I will talk to the guy more about my leak. So Coupe, I know you are a Pontiac fan...should I stick with the GTP now?
 
Well, thats totaly up to you. If you enjoy the vehicle and its easy on your bank acount then ya i think it would be worth keeping.

If you want something different and it wont hurt your bank acount go for it.
 
Coupe said:
Its VERY uncommon for 90 degree V6's to have a LIM leak.
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even with the supercharger?

(just a question, not trying to start something)

but I would think a supercharged engine with

13x,xxx miles an intake gasket could go out easily
 
Coupe said:
He was just unlucky.
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Story of my life right there :sosad



Alot of people think I am nuts for having the Supercharged version but I think there is a lot of misconception of OEM superchargers vs a Honda Civic putting in a SC and trying to get away without any problems. I have never had a probem with my Supercharger thus far..it has been nothing but smooth sailing thus far, knock on wood.
 
Joshua312 said:
Alot of people think I am nuts for having the Supercharged version
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not me, I like the GTP the only reason I don't have one is it is front wheel drive

and I just love rear wheel drive too much
 
Well just got my car back and it is running great! Transmission is shifting smoothly and acceleration is boosted a little it seems. Next week I will be taking it back to have a new intake manifold gasket put in (aftermarket) and they will be using DEX cooland. I will also replacing valve cover gaskets. Asked my mechanic who is also a good friend of my boss whether I should keep the car or sell it before I run into other problems. He said this engine was the best GM ever made and I should definitely keep the car...so I guess I will keep the GTP and hope for the best.
 
my uneducated opinion (i am highly mechanically UNinclined:):)) is that you are familiar with the GTP and know its history...if you sell just because of a few repairs you are jumping into an unknown bag of potential issues with the SUV.



.02
 
BigJimZ28 said:
I was just thinking that extra pressure

could be the problem



thanks for the info
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Actually, the GM 3800 engine, with or without the supercharger, has a rock solid record. You'll typically wear out everything else on the car before you wear out the engine. The most common failures (not that they fail all that often either) with the SC are easily and cheaply fixed as well by someone who knows what they're doing.
 
velobard said:
Actually, the GM 3800 engine, with or without the supercharger, has a rock solid record. You'll typically wear out everything else on the car before you wear out the engine. The most common failures (not that they fail all that often either) with the SC are easily and cheaply fixed as well by someone who knows what they're doing.
Click to expand...



thanks for the info:goodjob
 
Also IMHO that if you jump into the tahoe at 90K you are getting into right before most of the major wear and tear problems come up. I have a Tahoe myself and right around 100K I had to replace, Tranny ($3000), Plugs, coils, wires, ($500), Parking Brake, ($400), Catalytic Converter, ($1200), Battery, ($200), Serp Belt, ($130) and now I know I need a new water pump. This may not be the standard on all tahoes but from what I have been told this is the mileage where they start to develop problems



Plus they are a real biatch to detail.
 
Well my unlucky streak continues..Last night I went out quick to Subway on my break and on my way back to work it was snowing, no snow on the road because it had just started. I was going on a curve in the road at about 35, hit a patch of ice, did a 360 in front of a semi and 10 cars in the other lane, luckily I spun the other way in my lane and slammed into a snowbank. Was able to drive right off, wasnt stuck or anything. But then my car starts shaking when I hit 30 mph....It's in the shop today, hoping it is just wheel weights but could be my control arm :( ugh...



LastDetail - Thanks for the info, that is exactly the kind of information I was looking for. It definitely makes my decision easier, especially this week with how stressed I am getting with all these repair bills.
 
Joshua312 said:
Well my unlucky streak continues..Last night I went out quick to Subway on my break and on my way back to work it was snowing, no snow on the road because it had just started. I was going on a curve in the road at about 35, hit a patch of ice, did a 360 in front of a semi and 10 cars in the other lane, luckily I spun the other way in my lane and slammed into a snowbank. Was able to drive right off, wasnt stuck or anything. But then my car starts shaking when I hit 30 mph....It's in the shop today, hoping it is just wheel weights but could be my control arm :( ugh...
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I can so relate to the kind of luck you're having. I hope all turns out well.
 
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