I also have a Monte Carlo I have a 1996 and the only problem that I have out of it is that I cannot keep a transmission in the car as far as the motor goes the motor will last as long as you keep the car I have had my car two years and I have a bad habit of racing, but have no problems with the motor. the gas mileage problem that is normal for that type motor it is a high out put motor and requires more fuel to hit the cylinder. the motor caries four valves per cylinder so in takes in more fuel and air that was one of G.M.'s better ideas. also back to the transmission problems when that motor the (3.4 d.o.h.c.) was built it had a problem with breaking the bell housings so G.M. tuned the motor down using the computer. Now the breaking problem Monte Carlo break are actually too small they needed to put a bigger break under the car the problem with them is that they get too hot when braking and then can't dissipate the heat fast enough and warp rotors. now the interior I agree about it being cheap I also have parts in the interior breaking off actually they are the same pieces that you are having problems with. about the comment maid about the 3.1 that is in the Monte Carlo LS the problem with that motor is that it has a problem with head gaskets going out so as an over draft you are better with the 3.4 it has the power to do what ever you want to and it is also better on fuel. over all the Monte Carlo z34 is a good car to drive, but you also have to pay the price for a high out put motor and some of those things would be fuel, transmission's, and costly repairs.
Have a 96 Monte Carlo w 80,000 miles.
Overall it's a pretty good car.
The ignition for the no 1 and 4 plugs went bad. Pretty easy fix just changing the coil for this set of plugs --- BUT can't seem to figure out how to change the number one plug. This is the plug on the backside of the engine near the serpentine belt.
Is it common to have to pull the engine to get to this back row of plugs? If you know the trick, I would sure like to know!
Mystified in West Virginia
Tony
Lscribnernospam @newwave.net To email, please remove the "nospam" in my name.
Can you replace the alternator in a 1995 Monte Carlo without undoing the motor mounts and lifting the engine?
I Laugh at all people who would consider buying a 95-97 monte Z 34 The 3.4 litre motors are JUNK!!!
I was reading your problems and might have some info. I used to own a pontiac with the 3.4 motor and had the exact same problems. The alumnium intake on the cast iron block just does not work! Since the block heats up and cools down different than the intake the intake warps, causing the intake gaskets to fail. I had mine replaced 3 times and only owned the car 2 years and put 35,000 miles on it. During that time I replaced the A/C pump, I live in Iowa I only use it half a year maybee, the alternator went out at 84,000, the transmission went out at 92,000 and other than a pontiac piece of crap! would not run very well at all. so I traded it and bought a FORD!
I have put 66,000 miles on my Cougar which puts it at 96,000 miles and have not replaced ANYTHING! The V8 is quick and will show tail lights to 95-97 monte carlo Z34's.
I am writing this though because I bought a 99 Z34 for my girlfriend. The 3800 series II is the best thing they did to the monte's! Even though it is faster than my cougar, it gets better gas mileage!!! the best is 33mpg Other than the cheesy interior the monte is a GREAT car still better than any ricer I have raced! So hang in there and maybe some day update to a 98 or newer!
I have a 95 monte carlo z/34 with the 3.4...what a piece of junk! Beside all the recalls... the engine threw a timing belt and wrecked the entire valve train. Fuel injectors failed, fuel pump and alternator, replaced the coil pack 2 times and the transmission slips. do yourself a favor and buy foreign.
95 Monte 34z --
I've had a lot of the similar problems as all of the other. I got on here to look up what the heck was wrong with my brakes. I've replaced them every 3 to 6 months. I guess it's a common problem because of the size. Threw a timing belt and had to replace the whole damn engine. Popped a 96 3.4 in there and that thing almost threw another timing belt on me. If it weren't for an oil leak from an o-ring (which had to be fixed by removing a head!) and an astute mechanic who decided to check the timing belt on my new engine, I would have lost that one as well. The engine only had 44,000 on it and the timing belt was almost shredded all the way through.
All plastic pieces in the car seem to be broken (ashtray lid, center console hide-away compartment, cup holder not big enough to hold my coffee in the morning and the rubber insert fell out and got lost, etc). The driver's side window never works when it is cold. I've had it in the shop 5 times to try to fix it and after replacing just about every dang part in the window assembly (except the glass), it still doesn't work right. Also, the lock sticks on the passenger side so I cannot let the kids into my car unless I lean over and undo it by hand. I do have 175,000+ on the vehicle so some of this might be expected after a while, but come on GM...
Any clues on the driver's side window sticking all the time guys (especially when it's cold)??
95 Monte Carlo SS.
In reference to the idle problems in the above comments,
my Monte had the same problems. It would rev really high
then it would die if you didn't keep your foot in it. After it warmed up it ran great. I had to change the upper
and lower intake gaskets and that took care of it. Good luck. Dave.
I don't own a Monte Carlo at all, but I can guarentee you that it isn't the car or the people who make it. It must be an operator error. I'm not saying that cars don't have any problems, but there is always a reason. Depending on where you got it or who you got it from will determine the kind of problems you will have with your automobile. thanks...meghan.
I have a 96 Monte Carlo Z34. It had 125,000 miles when I purchased it. It now has around 180,000 miles. Its been to the transmission shop twice. I had the transmission rebuilt the first time. Then the second time I took it was because it would jerk going into second gear. Now it makes an odd noise which is louder in park than other gears. I can drive it for about fifteen minutes with no problems. It maintains power and shifts smooth. After about fifteen minutes it gradually starts to slip. The RPMS are at about 4000 just for me to creep into my driveway. Then after that it won't go in gear at all. If I let it sit long enough to cool, then it will go in gear. The transmission fluid doesn't appear to be low. I could try a transmission cooler. Other than that I don't know what to do besides only driving it to the store. Any suggestions? Thanks...Cliston.
I have 1995 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, I 'm also experiencing the driver side window dilemma. Window rolls down fine, but, when you roll it up it will literally stop half way. I found out like everyone else that the window is coming off track. Pulling the window forward seems to pop it back into place. There should have definitely been a recall on this common problem to replace the arm that supports the track. Secondly, the low oil light keeps coming on. Checked for oil leaks and of course oil in the engine is at the proper level, but, this light just keep coming on from time to time. My guess is low oil pressure.?? Anybody care to comment?? If so please e-mail me at
dwatson@optonline.net.
Help! OK I have a 95 Z34 when I start it up it idles very high then goes up and down and if I don't put it in drive within about 10 minutes it will die. also when car is running for long time in park will die too. The car has no acceleration. I push down on gas which is very costly, but goes no where takes about 8 seconds just to get up to about 25 but past that rides very smooth. when I sotp at stop light also idles very high up and down who can help me.
My 96 monte z34 has a fuel problem. no fuel to engine replaced filter pump/all know fuses still no fuel??? anyone ever heard of this?
I had a new fuel pump on 97 monte carlo z34 installed $500.00
It didn't work, the harness was bad $1000.00,put a jumper on harness where problem was. Could have saved a lot of money.
Try this first if fuel pump not working.
billc c
fastbill54@yahoo.com
My mom gave my a 1995 chevrolet monte carlo Z34. with a 3.4 litre dohc (double over head cam) we have had problems with the passenger side window rolling down, but it will roll up fine. And then we had a problem with the air compressor and we got a new one put in this person did not hook it up to the blower motor and blew the blower motor and air compressor up so we need a new one. we need struts. the ashtray and middle console is broke
this car has about 139,500 miles on it, but other than that it has been a good car. oh yea when we go on trips I notice a slight vibration when I go a passed 75 mph and it doesn't have stock wheels it has pearl 17" chrome i don't know I may need a new set of tires also at the bottom of the doors the carpet is coming off. also my car has a factory cd player and when it gets hot it doesn't play any cd's also my front right speaker has blew too.
Thank you
e-mail me at a_cool_dude1993@hotmail.com
any of yalls help would hopefully help.
I have a 1995 Z-24 with a 3.4 dual overhead cam engine. It has a oil leak and we have discovered it is coming from the top back part of motor where the distributor (if it had one) would go. They left the hole for the distributor and it has a plug with a rubber o-ring on it. When this o-ring gets old it will crimp or crack like all seals do. However, after talking to several mechanics it is not an easy fix. You have to pull the intake and back head I was told. I got an estimate from 1 mechanic for 1600.00 and another said he could do it for 1200.00. Think I will just trade it off and let someone else fix it. Car has 130,000 miles on it, but really gets up and goes. Drivers window goes off track if rolled down all the way, middle console hinges also broke, you have to beat the CD player up to get your CD out, dash vents have nothing coming out them (defroster and floor works however), and yes, I have the idle problem, also. I have only had this car 1 mo. Got it as part of a deal when selling my 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 SLT club cab pickup. Was not told of all the problems. Drives nice, however. Anyway, thought this might answer someones question about the oil leak and not knowing where it is coming from.