If you EVER needed help with your GA.. now would be the time that I REALLY NEED IT!!

[DrFabulous]

Originally Posted by rocketfast123

4-door champagne beige metallic

Yea, not close. What color interior?

[Jason E]

FWIW, I've seen a few other 3400s not need the gasket, but obviously most do. The highest mileage one I've seen as of late is a friend's '01 GA GT I sold her brand new...84k on it, still original.

I've seen them as early as 19k on a '99 Alero...most seem to make it right around the tail end of the 3/36, thankfully Although, anyone with an '02.5+ should be fine.

And yes, our GA will never need one, but I have my fingers crossed on the water pump 70k so far...she drives it easy, I get it up to 3,500-4,000 every now and then, but thats it. I have the Z when I really wanna run

[DrFabulous]

Originally Posted by Jason E

I get it up to 3,500-4,000 every now and then, but thats it. I have the Z when I really wanna run

That's sad. I open her up at least once every time I drive it. As long as it's got good oil, nothing is going to happen.

[02andahalfgt]

Originally Posted by Jason E

Although, anyone with an '02.5+ should be fine.

Wrong.

[AznGA]

Jon's 03 GA needed new LIM gaskets at around 13000 miles.

Mine started leaking slowly before my warranty ended. I wasn't smart enough to pay attention to it. I got them replaced at 70000 miles. That's when I couldn't drive because it leaked so much.

I hope these improved gaskets hold up longer.

[coupe]

Ive got a bit over 20K on my revised gasket and still A-OK.

[Jason E]

Hmmm...maybe they didn't put the revised gasket in until '03 then? I thought it was mid '02...maybe it was mid '03...

As for wailing on my girlfriend's car, well...it isn't my car, and if it breaks then she'll be after me until its fixed For a 4 banger, the 2.4 is great...I prefer it a ton over the Ecotec. It has this thing called TORQUE...something escaping the Ecotec. Sure, its loud...but at least its quick

But like I said, for me personally, the Z28 is where I'm lucky enough to get my speed fix. Nothing like a 5,500 RPM shift at WOT with the SLP cat back screaming and the SLP CAI whistling away...the GP gets a workout on a regular basis too. The GA's 1-2 shift is kinda hard at WOT...needs a tranny flush I think.

Alright so the car got towed over to the Pontiac Dealership so they said I didn't need to be there since it would take quite sometime till they would service it.. well, I'm hoping the'll do their magic and uncover whats wrong with the car.... so, its $88 for the diagnosis and if anything needs to be fixed - it will be applied towards the repair.. I honestly hope its nothing big and if anything, I hope the warranty covers it. This whole problem has seriously set my mood so low ever since because I'm someone who is always on top of this kind of stuff.. and with the holidays coming, just that much worst money wise because I already spent enough for the family.

[DrFabulous]

Warranty? Unless I missed something, you're way out of warranty.

Originally Posted by DrFabulous

Warranty? Unless I missed something, you're way out of warranty.

Figured the problem is most likelythe CATs exhaust which in that case we have the 80K or 8 year warranty and my car meets those requirements.

Hey everyone,

UPDATE: So $88 dollars later and the diagnosis is done.. they found that my starter went out and thats why the car is cranking but locks up because the starter has gone bad. Next are a few other things they recommend I get done but I know its their way of asking for more money to keep up on maintenance.. the MAIN thing that needs to be fixed is to replace the starter though, that is what the service manager told me on the phone.

So here is the run down for my own records of what he says needs to be fixed along with prices from GM Pontiac dealership:

Replace Starter - Parts and labor $551.18

Oil change - $21.95

Gas Filter - $69.95

Air Filter - $29.95

PCV Valve - $34

TBI Service - Cleans intake combustion - $129.95 ( what difference will I notice with this compared to the fuel injection cleaning? )

Fuel Injection cleaning - $89.95 ( is it really necessary again? I had this done just a year ago )

TOTAL approx $925.88
_______________________

Let me know what you all think... especially what does the PCV valve do? He mentioned it but not enough details.. and why is a gas filter so much money?

Thanks

[DrFabulous]

Do you have any know-how when it comes to cars? The air filter, fuel filter, oil change and starter could all be done in your garage no problem.

[freakydeaky]

Originally Posted by GRocks10

Hey everyone,

UPDATE: So $88 dollars later and the diagnosis is done.. they found that my starter went out and thats why the car is cranking but locks up because the starter has gone bad. Next are a few other things they recommend I get done but I know its their way of asking for more money to keep up on maintenance.. the MAIN thing that needs to be fixed is to replace the starter though, that is what the service manager told me on the phone.

So here is the run down for my own records of what he says needs to be fixed along with prices from GM Pontiac dealership:

Replace Starter - Parts and labor $551.18

Oil change - $21.95

Gas Filter - $69.95

Air Filter - $29.95

PCV Valve - $34

TBI Service - Cleans intake combustion - $129.95 ( what difference will I notice with this compared to the fuel injection cleaning? )

Fuel Injection cleaning - $89.95 ( is it really necessary again? I had this done just a year ago )

TOTAL approx $925.88
_______________________

Let me know what you all think... especially what does the PCV valve do? He mentioned it but not enough details.. and why is a gas filter so much money?

Thanks

feeling brave, do it yourself.....

new starter prices

how to:

tools needed:

Sockets and wrenches
Screwdriver
Pliers
Drive-on ramps, jack or jackstands


Let the engine cool.

Gather together all the necessary tools.

Place the vehicle on ramps, or jack up the front and support it on jack stands. Follow all safety precautions. Block the rear wheels. Never work under a vehicle
supported by a jack.

Be sure the ignition is OFF and then remove the negative (grounded) battery cable from the battery with the puller after loosening the attaching bolt.


Note all wiring connections to the starter and solenoid.

Starter Replacement
Remove the battery/starter cable attached to the starter-mounted solenoid or to the starter.

Remove any other wires attached to the solenoid if it is starter-mounted. Note the wire positions so you can replace them correctly.


Remove the starter attaching bolts (usually two or three). Most bolts attach horizontally through the mounting flange. On GM cars the bolts are vertical, and there may be a shim between the engine and starter block. If there is one, it must be used with the new starter.

Remove any support bracket that holds the front of the starter.

Drop the starter down. You may have to remove or loosen transmission oil cooler lines or brackets, the exhaust pipe, flywheel housing cover, crossmember, ground strap, oil pressure sending unit or other parts to give you enough clearance to drop the starter down.


Install the new starter in the reverse order of removal. Be sure you replace the original shim(s) on the GM-type starter if there were any when you removed the old starter. This installation will probably be correct, but if there is a noise when the engine is starting or a whine after it starts, you may need to adjust the shims as follows:

If there is a starter noise when you crank the engine, remove one full-length shim or add one short shim to the outboard pad only.

If there is a high-pitched whine after the engine fires, add full-length shims one at a time until the noise disappears. DO NOT use more than four shims. To add a full-length shim, add the shim and then retighten both bolts.


PCV= The Positive Crankcase Ventilation valve is an emissions control device that routes unburned crankcase blowby gases back into the intake manifold where they can be reburned.

fuel filter prices

[Mike Jung]

Originally Posted by GRocks10

...PCV Valve - $34...

It is like a $5 part!!!

How do you change a PCV valve?

Just wanted to let you all know.. YOU GUYS ROCK! THANKS FOR THE HELP. I am buying the starter myself at a great price and I have a mechanic that will do the job for a much less price than the quote GM gave. Atleast I feel good knowing now what the problem is.. OH and you guys ready for this one? I received the whole history the car has gone through under warranty work when it was under the 3 year/36k bumper to bumper.. you know, what the old owner did since this car was purchased used.

Looks like in 2001, the car underwent for the first time the LIM gasket replacement under warranty!! Worst part is that I never knew that and I had to do it 3 months ago... so this is the second time this car has underwent a LIM replacement. Thats terrible.. if it happens a third time, wouldn't this car be considered a lemon? Figured if the same problem happens 3 times.. thats a lemon from what I've read. Any resources that could help if that was to happen again? I personally want to keep the car but I sure don't want to have another problem that big again.. oyyyyy!!

[02andahalfgt]

To be a lemon it has to be 3 consecutive instances of the same problem taken to dealerships so that it's documented. Not to mention the car is way too old to even be considered a lemon. Also the LIM is a very common problem that everyone is aware of, another point against being a lemon.
If they used the 'newer' LIM gasket that GM released after finally realizing there was a problem then it should never go bad again. Replacing it twice isn't terrible either, a lot of people here have been through it twice, welcome to the club.

[Malaclypse]

The revised gasket design wasn't available until late 2003 IIRC.

[Jason E]

Well, $551 does seem insane for a starter, but do yourself a favor...you've already used one shadetree mechanic, so why not have Pep Boys or someone at least remotely reputable throw a starter in for you! The nice thing about Pep Boys is that normally there's a lifetime warranty on the part, so if it goes bad again, all you owe is labor. Not many garages install lifetime parts around here...

Remember, you get what you pay for. You just thought you got screwed by one "side job"...why do another to save a few bucks?

The current mechanic feels bad that since he already installed the fuel pressure regulator and the new belt and the fuel pressure regulator didn't fix the problem I was aiming for.. he told me he will install the starter for me at no charge and I can decide to give him w/e I feel is appropiate if it fixes my problem.. he is taking care of me because he said he doesn't like an unhappy customer and he wants my repeat business.. also the fact that I told him if he does me right I will return the favor by recommending his services to my friends which I already did and he fixed my friends car.. so hes getting business even more. I like the fact that this one is ASE certified.

Anyhow, I'm waiting on the parts now. I'll be sure to keep you all updated on what happens.. and just incase it turns out the starter does NOT fix my problem.. what recourse do I have against GM considering I just paid $88 plus tax for them to diagnois a $518 problem which is causing my problems currently? You guys are more than helpful... just wonderful group of people. Thanks!

[Jason E]

Recourse? What recourse? You paid $88 because you wanted them to fix your problem. You decide they cost too much (which I'm not necessarily arguing with), take it somewhere else, have it "fixed," and then maybe find out their diagnosis was in error? Tough luck, pal. They don't know what you fixed or how it was fixed once it leaves their lot. You have no recourse.

If THEY fixed your starter, and then it turned out to be something else, then you have recourse...they'd take off the starter repair, and then just bill you for whatever fixed it.