Comments: 1-15, 16-23
90,000 replaced head gasket.
115,000 had to replace the whole engine.
116,000 had to replace the transmission.
These are the major repairs we won't even get into - the water pump, and the brakes issues.
Right now the car has 140,000 miles on it and it hesitates after you start driving it, have had 15 different mechanics look at it, NO SOLUTION YET!
Car has been nothing but a money pit, thank goodness I finally have it paid off and can pass it off to some poor unknowing car buyer.
Would never recommend any kind of Pontiac to anyone! I believe I will go foreign next time. Every mechanic knows that Pontiac has a head gasket problem on the quad four, but yet nobody goes after them, no recall and everybody complains about this same problem, and yet Pontiac says they are not aware of any kind of a problem on this motor. I guess they are happy making their money off all of the replacement parts they are selling.
Probably the least reliable car I have ever owned!
About the hesitation, get the coil packs looked at.
I have a 94 Pontiac Grand Am and it has given me not just a headache BUT FEVERS.
Maybe you just got bad luck, I got a 93 SE 2-door and I just hit 193,000.miles... still going strong.
120,000 miles on my '93 V6. New water pump, rebuilt radiator (crack), replaced all hoses and radiator fan, also thermostat. Sometimes clicks like a dead battery when starting but only takes one or two tries. Other than the heating problems I believe I've finally gotten ironed out, I love this car and hope it lasts longer. Great car, great ride, great acceleration!
There is a special service bulliton on the Quad4 (OHC) engine. The cylinder head is prone to cracking so they extended the warranty on the engine for 6yrs or 100,000 which ever comes first. GM used crapy head gaskets on these cars so they do blow. However, replacing them with a higher quality gasket (FEL-PRO brand) will eliminate this problem.
Quad four with a cracked head, mechanic has had 2 used ones looked at and both have the same crack. Have asked him to bolt it all back up and will flog it. Will buy Japanese next time for certain, North American makers seem to have forgot how to build an engine.
We have a '95 Grand Am, 129,000 K, with head gasket, possibly cracked head, problems. Also noisy top end, suspect needs new timing gear and chain. GM refuses to recognize problem with motors even though according to everyone we talk to says they are notorious for head gasket problems.
I have a 1992 Grand Am Se, and I had the water pump changed the exhuast fan, and the thermostat changed, before my machanic told me that my head gaskets had a crack in them. I hate this car, but I don't have the money for a new car. I bought the car used for 3500 dollars, and I put about 3000 dollars in the car already. Not a wise decision to buy this car.
About your hesitation, your MASS AIRFLOW SENOR collects a lot of deposits from the atmosphere (air) and usually clogs your PINS on the Mass Airflow Senor which is used to feel the air coming into that engine. It's a easy job, just pull out the Mass airflow senor and be careful, use a cloth to wipe dust particles. Also, you may as well clean the air intake throttle, clean the inside plate out. IF you can't, you can be CARBO CHOKE INTAKE Cleaner, and just spray into the AIR IN take, (you have to take out the air cleaner and air housing hose that lead into the engine). With the engine running, spray into the the intake where the engine sucks in the air... the engine may turn off, but this is normal, or may hesitate, but this should clear your problem after. I did it on mine, and I was really surprised, trust me, this sounds like the trouble I had until I did this.
I have a 93 grand am SE, 4 cyl., 180,000 miles. Except for a little timing chain rattle the car runs beautiful. 33 mpg.
I Just bought a 93 grand am SE 4door with a 2.3liter Quad 4, this can has been trouble since I got it so far I've only had it for 24hours when broke down on the highway. I took it to a mechanic that I've gone to for years and he's had it for two weeks. turns out that I needed a new muffler, oil sensory pan, transmission fluid pan, fuel filter was original, entire coil tower, as well as four brand new tires. So far entire expenses on this car have totaled to $1500 not including the sales price of the car $2000. To sum it all up I've had one two week long headache which I wish I could get back.
My 93 grand am has lived up to what I have just read. So far since I've owned it it has had a radiator, timing belt, then head gasket, then oil pump, then due to low riding oil pan, a cracked oil pan, which I just replaced and before it had another 200 miles, the motor is making terrible noise and the mechanic said another motor is needed as it is shot. It has 122K on it.
About the hesitations with the Grand Am. Try replacing the Mass Airflow Sensor. I had the same problem, and it fixed it. Do the repair yourself, it is very easy; the part is just a little costly.
I bought 93 grand am 3.3 engine about 5months ago. I have had to replace the torque solenoid, both passenger motor mounts, and my motor still move back and forth.
My 89 Pontiac Grand Am has in the past year, needed a new head gasket, a new clutch, new starter, and recently I was told it again needed a new head gasket. In addition it has had other problems including exhaust, shocks and struts, shock plugs and oddly my radio and the tape player which is factory installed has stopped working. But one of its great factors is that it gets good gas mileage.