1995 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Z34 from North America - Comments

My timing belt went out at 100,000 miles.

Started leaking power steering fluid at 100,500 miles.

Power steering fluid leaked directly into the alternator and fried it.

Currently, 101,000 miles, the brakes are grinding and my front driver side wheel almost fell off!

I got the car with 70,000 miles on it. Its got great power and good looks. I'm a big guy and I fit quite well in this car, very comfortable. It ran great until I hit 100,000 miles.

Almost exactly at 100,000 miles the timing belt went out. I took it to the first mechanic and he told me he "thought" he could fix it as he stared at the Chilton's manual next to him. He gave me an estimate of $1500, for a timing belt! I told him what I thought of his quote and his ability and had it towed to the second mechanic. He told me he would not even try to fix my car, and that you needed a "special tool" that only the dealerships had. I then had it towed for the third time to the dealership. Two weeks later they had it finished. Final Cost for my timing belt: $1232.88. The final repair also came with a new $594.00 estimate for my lower vacuum intake valve which was causing the idle problem I have read so much about on this site. I declined the second repair and left.

Two weeks later my power steering fluid started leaking. Of course with my last $1200 repair I didn't rush to go get it looked at. After a couple days my volts light came on and I started losing power. I took it to a new mechanic who told me the fluid had leaked directly into the alternator and "fried" it. He also told me I need a new serpentine belt. He referred to my car sarcastically as the one with the "fun" engine. Meaning "fun" to fix. Final cost for power steering, alternator, and serpentine belt: $828.01 which included a discount to keep it under the estimate.

Currently the brakes are metal on metal and my front tire almost fell off tonight. My bank account is totally wiped out and I'm going to park the car until I pay off my loan and can buy a Honda. I'll see you on the bus!

I believe that you were the reason this car had so many failures, as your inability to keep up on the maintenance schedule, causing the belt to break, they are to be replaced at 60,00 miles, the power steering to leak into the alternator,you should of had this fixed also, and finally the brakes being driven until they were destroyed, etc. The next time you get a car, being it a Honda, God forbid... you should refer to the owners manual and follow the required schedule for typical maintenance...also, when something leaks... FIX IT!!!

REGARDS, JOHN.

I think what the previous poster-John-said to you was horrible. You sound like our situation. He said, timing belt should be replaced at 60,000 miles. Obviously he didn't read that you got the car at 70,000. We had the exact same problem. We bought our Z34 at 76,000 miles. The timing belt went out shortly there after. The warranty that we purchased wouldn't cover the repair because they told us the same stupid thing. My theory-not my responsiblity since I didn't have possession of the car then. Some people are just mean and don't comprehend common sense.

Angie.

I am sorry, but I have to agree with John. A car is a machine that needs proper care and maintenance or it will retaliate on you at some point. When you buy a used vehicle, the number one rule of thumb is check it out from top to bottom, front to back. Check for worn hoses, belts, transmission leaks, oil leaks, brakes etc. Test drive the car and see how it runs. Unfortunately, almost all used cars are an "as is" and you should be prepared for anything that may go wrong, especially if there are a lot of miles on the car. Also, many mechanical problems with any car are simply this, neglect. If you ignore the problem, no matter how minor, eventually it will get worse, cause more problems, and cost you more money in the long run. Letting your car brakes run metal to metal when the car has 70,000 or so miles on it is your fault, not the car, letting things leak to the point that they destroy other key components in the car is again your fault. Common sense and proper care on your part will maintain any car for many many miles and many years. I recently purchased a 1995 Monte Carlo Z34 with 120,000 miles on it and I love it. Yes it has a few quirks that need to be worked out, but it is in good shape and being a 1995 I got a great deal on it, and as soon as I fix the little problems the car will be good as new. Oh, and by the way, I am a woman!!! :0)

I'm also sorry too say it, but I agree with John myself. I've got the exact same car and I've never had a problem out of it. I mean for goodness sakes you're a man and I don't care whether you're mechanically inclined or not any idiot knows that a car needs maintenance I mean I'm a woman and I know that!! If the brakes are grinding get knew breaks and either install them or have them installed, if the power streering fluid is leaking fix it or have it fixed, as for the alternator you should have fixed the power steering fluid leak!!!

Hi! Wow! I recently bought a 95 Monte Carlo after saving money for almost two years! I had it for about 2 months! Well come to find out the timing belt has broke and I also was told about this special tool! Well I was wondering if it is absolutely necessary for this tool! I am a single parent and I cannot afford what I was quoted for of $1400 from the Chevy dealer! Someone said you don't need the tool, but I was just wondering if anyone knew if you have to have it! Thanks Alison.

Oh yes, you definitely have to have the "tool" to fix this problem. I am a junior in college and I have had my 95 Z 34 for over a year and put over 23,000 miles on it in a year. The belt broke at about 105k and I thought my street mechanic could fix it, but he could not. I took it to the dealer and the job came to $1,500. It was a killer, but it got my baby back up and running. Unfortunately the price is a big deterrent when you take your first glance at it, but if having your car is a necessity I see no other means. Hope this helps.

I too have had the timing belt breaking problem at 106,000 miles, also included in the repairs on a car i`ve owned for only 5 mons: lower pellom gasket (which, when it went it, left a huge puddle of oil and water on the ground. also, the lower vaccum intake valve, which caused the idle problem. total: $2500.00 in three weeks. best of luck to the rest of you all with yours.

I bought a 1995 monte carlo z34 in october of 07. It had 58K miles on it, and it runs beautifully. It does have a few quirks, but so does any used car. Lucky for me, I work at an auto parts store and so does my boyfriend, who also went to school for auto mechanics. Yes I have had problems. but again USED CAR!!!. I need to replace the timing belt, because I now am at 60K miles. I already replaced the power steering pump. It was wrecked before I bought it. So Yes, used cars have problems. Mine does too, but I love my car and would not trade it for the world. So I agree with john.