gpdriver21

I have a 95 grand prix SE, i was wondering if this car has a timing chain or a timing belt on it. When do you guys reccomend it should be changed? The car was well taken care of and runs great and has 100,000 miles on it.

Also been noticing that the low coolant light comes on. The level has been a little low in the radiator before, and i have added some water to it before. It seems that the car leaks a very small amount of coolant, i havent really checked out too much where it might be coming from. Is there any particular places where these cars tend to leak coolant?
What type of coolant do these cars use?
The oil looks good too.

Also how hard is it to replace the spark plugs on the back of the motor for a tune-up?

THANKS!!

Thumperu

Motor? 3.1 i would assume

gpdriver21

Yea, it's the 3.1, it has a good amount of power

jimmytroanoke

Chains on the 3.1 are pretty trouble free. Don't mess with it unless you have other prblems in the area such as a front seal leak. Newer 3.1,s tend to leak from the lower intake gasket. Check the 4 corners at the intake/head junction. Could also have a pinhole in the radiator or just a bad coolant level sensor. The way the radiator is crammed in with fans etc, it is hard to see signs of a pinhole. Maybe have a reputable radiator shop pressure test your system and put the UV dye in it. then the leak will show with a blacklight.

__________________
2001 Grand Prix SE 3.1 - Someone elses problem now!
95 Grand Marquis - Will outlive all of them!
97 F-150
2004 Toyota Avalon

tightwad

The back 3 plugs(odd numbered cylinders) are a pain the first time you do them. After that, you learn the tricks. One trick is wait for the engine to cool down for a Looooong time(4 hrs or more). That intake plenum stays plenty hot. Another trick is to buy wobble extensions. Not the ones with the u-joint, but the ones that are machined to not fit as tight. Harbor Freight sells a large set for like $15, they work well.

Thumperu

Back plugs are a breeze. just loosen front motor mounts and rock motor forward.

tightwad

that works up until about 94, when they changed the mounts. There is no longer the dogbone mount on the topside.

gpdriver21

Thanks guys, glad it has a chain over the belt