SnipesXxX

I have a 2000 Grand Am SE that has over 130,000 miles on it. It's been a good car and is drove almost daily. For a year or so I've noticed once the car warms up and is at a idle I notice a pecking or light knocking sound. It gets louder with the AC/Heat on. I haven't really looked into the problem though. I took it to have brakes done on it and figured I would mention it to the mechanic and he said it was normal for those engines(4 cylinder) and sounded good compared to some that came in there. The noise goes away if you barely give it any gas at all and sounds fine.

Curious what would cause this? I am guessing it has alot to do with the engine having alot of miles on it. Is it something I should look into fixing?

One last thing how often should one change spark plugs on these cars? I know they haven't been changed since I got it a few years ago and it had over 80,000 on it then.

xeroinfinity

If it has the Delco Iridiums , from the factory, they are suposed to last about 100k miles.
It all depends on how well the car is maintained, and outside conditions.

But with 130k mls its probley time for a tune up.

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1999 Grand Am SS 3.4 OHV

SnipesXxX

How do I check to see if it has that Delco in it? Guessing engine?

When ppl say tune up what needs to be changed exactly when one does a tune up?

gmack221

Delco Iridiums - type of spark plug

where are the spark plugs - under the cover that says Quad 4 on the top of the motor.

how do I get to the spark plugs - unplug electrical connector that goes to the cover, remove the 4 bolts, pull straight up

what do I do once I get the cover off - remove the 4 spark plug wires (about 2" long, some will on the cover you removed, some on the spark plugs), replace the spark plugs & wires, re-install cover (make sure your plug wires are on the housing, then line up with plugs, its a feeling thing, you'll figure it out). don't forget to plug the electrical connector back in.

replace the air filter if its dirty, replacing the fuel filter isn't a bad idea either, never a bad idea to run some injector cleaner thru the tank also. Other then that keeping your engine oil changed & having the transmission fluid changed there isn't much else to do to these motors. Thats all the basic maintence these motors need, around the 150,000 mile mark you should think about having the timing chain changed, and the water pump changed at the same time (not going to be cheap).

the ticking noise your hearing is probably the lifters, im sure they are quieter right after an oil change when the oil is thicker. keep up on the oil changes and this car should be reliable, and running good. Keep an eye on your water temp, these cars are known for water pumps going out causing the head gasket to blow & warping the head.

xeroinfinity

lifter tick is common even with the V6's.

Stay away from boss platinum plugs they burn out very quickly.

Iridium is in the platinum group of metals, but it is much stronger and IMO Boss just skimps out on the metals.

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1999 Grand Am SS 3.4 OHV

SnipesXxX

Well I just had transmission fluid/filter changed,oil changed and I had to put a new fuel pump in it in Jan/Feb of this year and replaced the fuel filter then.

So all I should need is spark plugs changed? The air filter looks fine for now. I might need to have the coolent flushed out and refilled but I can probably wait a little longer on that.

The temps stay right at or a hair over or under 200 on the gauge and always has. Whats a normal temp these engines run at?

xeroinfinity

Wouldnt hurt to replace the plugs, and if the boots that connect to them are cracked or look bad replace those.

A flush might get the temps a little lower, but 200 is about where they run when you hav a 195deg thermostat.

I switched to a 185 deg thermostat, runs much cooler now.
And I'll pay for it when it gets below 0 deg.

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1999 Grand Am SS 3.4 OHV