31st Mar 2009, 17:21

I would just like to add:

I had a 98 Grand Am, 3.1 V6 engine, that I bought with 30K miles on it in 1999.

In 2002 (around 85,000 miles) it started overheating. Over the next three years we replaced the water pump twice, the heater core, the thermostat several times, the serpentine belt, the lid to the coolant overflow tank, and for a while hubby wired the fan to run all the time when the car was on. It still would overheat in the summer if I drove under 40 mph or stopped for more than 10 minutes. No problems in the winter.

The summer before I got rid of it, the mechanic said it was the lower intake manifold. Replaced that for around $1000. Car still was overheating the next summer (2005). Had a baby and traded it in for around $1000 and thought I was getting a great deal. Afterwards was told by a mechanic that the aluminum engine will warp and won't hold pressure in the cooling system, even though the heads are not cracked. Don't know if that was true, but glad to be rid of that car!

By the way, a coworker is going through the same thing with her 97 Cavalier.

6th Oct 2010, 20:59

OK. Anyone having the problem with a Grand Am overheating and no heat through vents, before you waste money on replacement parts, run the car with the overflow cap off, refilling it as it starts to go low until no more bubbles are coming out and water level stays consistant. It took me about 10 minutes but I went from overheating within a few blocks and no air, to a steady 190 degrees and heat you could cook with.

Hope this helps at least one person good luck all!

By the way, mine's a 96 Grand Am with a 3.1L V6.

14th Nov 2015, 20:23

I have a 1994 Corsica, it is the gauge, do not worry about it.

15th Nov 2015, 17:11

You got ripped off. You took a chance on an old beater and lost.

Junk it.