Grand Am Overheating

I took my 1994 Pontiac Grand Am into the mechanic due to overheating and he said that water or coolant probably leaked into where my oil is and thus I would need a new engine. However, if I need a new engine how come I was able to drive it to the mechanic to begin with? Before the mechanic I discovered that my car was draining out (coming out from the bottom of the car) but there was no "low coolant light coming on." However, I saw my gauge was going towards the red zone. When I poured water where my coolant was it seemed to cool the engine down so I could take it into the mechanic. The mechanic popped the hood and said the car probably blew a head gasket or had a cracked head and thus would need a new engine. Is this an accurate diagnosis? I was able to drive my car to the mechanic so wouldn't that mean my engine is still savable?

The mechanic said that a new engine would cost me over $2000 and a re-built one would be cheaper at around $1100-1800. I could buy one from a junkyard for $600 but my mechanic wants to charge $1000 labor. If water did get in the engine isn't their a way to just drain it so an engine can be saved? Is the mechanic right or wrong? He did state that my car could be driven the short distance home but wouldn't that indicate that the engine may be good? I'd hate to have to get rid of this car if I don't have to. Thanks for your responses.

first off coolant in the oil is definitly an internal engine concern the reason you could drive it was because the mixture still had lubricating ability.so you have to make a decision on the value of the vehicle versus the repair. unless you wan't to pay to have the engine completely dissassemled and inspected for damage that could occur after you have a cylinder head or gasket replaced wich the labor to disassemble and check would cost more than a rebuilt engine.it would be more cost efficient to replace the engine. also you have to factor in the overall condition of the vehicle the transmission could go in 2 weeks?if you are willing to take a chance you could have the cylinder head or gasket done then take your chances and hope the lower end doesn't knock or lose oil pressure when hot.the oil can be changed 2 or 3 times repeatedly and that will remove the coolant from the crankcase.so the decision is up to you if the car is in good condition i personally would cover all bases and replace the engine to avoid any problems down the road also don't use a junkyard engine because that's exactly what you will get [JUNK]. hope this helps i am a professional dealer tech just my 2 cents.

It sounds like you have the classic GMC leaky coolant in the oil problem. If your engine isnt cracked , you should perhaps replace all of the gaskets that have anything to do with oil or coolent. I know this is a common problem because my 2000 grand am leaked just slightly by the transmission and intake. One gasket leaked , so I replace every single one and its like a new car again. This is a big job ($450-$650cnd) and takes about 6 hours labour. It was worth it for me. The fees included - new gaskets , new oil , new coolant and a coolant flush and all internal parts cleaned. It took 5 hours. By the way the labour is included in the price i quoted. Plaese Message me back with your findings , since im a Grand Am owner I am also concerned about the treatment of other GA owners in Mechanic shops.

Well my mechanic said that he could take apart the head gasket and such but if that doesn't turn out to be the only problem then it would cost more money. Basically, he said because my engine is old it isn't worth it to keep pouring money into it. I have about 108,000 miles on my GA so parts and stuff would eventually wear out. I am just going to sell my car and hopefully get money for it. I don't really want to do it but pretty much have little choice. I am just going to tell whoever wants to buy it that the motor needs repair. The car has new tires, two front brakes that were just replaced, and a few newer engine parts. It also has anti-lock brakes, power locks, AC, and AM/FM Casette. This car served me well and I am really hating to let her go but the time I suppose has come.

I'll end up getting my sister's car though which is a 1995 Chevy Baretta. I am not crazy about the trade-off but at least I'll have a car to drive to work so I won't be down and out.

Before you do anything else, check your oil and see if it is mix. Look at the oil where you put oil in the vehicle and where you check your oil level. If water is getting in the engine it will be a light brownish color with white streaks. Also check and see if your engine fan is coming on.

If you had a overheating problem and a coolant leak, first order of business would be to pressure test the cooling system and find out exactly where the leak is.
No sense in turning in your car just because it has 100k on the clock without finding out if the repairs will excede the value of the car.

Water or coolant in the oil is a bad thing...it will eat the bearings and cause further problems down the road.
I would have taken my car somewhere else and gotten a second opinion.

Would you like to pay for a second opinion? Around here just to diagnose a problem at a mechanic is around $80 or more. Second, the mechanic said that because the water and coolant mixed with the oil that it is more than likely I need a new engine or could have one re-built for around $1800. Then you have to factor the labor which is even more. The mechanic said he could do the repairs and put in a new motor but said it'd be better to just sell or trade in the car. The vehicle has about 108,000 miles on it so it is more than likely other parts that originally came with the vehicle would start to have problems. I could have gotten an engine from a junked car for $600 but it was explained to me that you don't know what you'd be getting. To add to this story was the fact that when I last went to the mechanic my car had to be jumped since it wouldn't start. It is now parked in front of my residence because I couldn't just leave it at the mechanic's shop forever.

I agree with merlin"Do a pressure test." It takes a mechanic less than 10 minutes to find the leaks.
Just incase its salvagable.

How will a pressure test help if a mechanic says it is not salvagable? I'd hate to keep putting money into this car if things keep falling apart.

A pressure test should be close to free 10-20 dollars. I was just saying it could save you a car if the problem is not that serious. At least you will know for sure.

Ok, I guess I am not making things clear. I drove my car to the mechanic who popped the hood and after pulling my dipstick noticed that it was pretty milky and said that my engine was pretty much a lost cause. On the way to the mechanic it started to overheat and I had to pour water into the coolant to keep it from doing so. I was lucky to have my car make it since the water was draining out into a small pool. The mechanic said that with water not being a lubricant (because it with coolant was leaking into where the oil was) my engine was a lost cause. Yeah I made it to the mechanic and was actually able to drive my car home after it was jumped. In fact the mechanic said he had to jump my car in order to get into their garage.

The mechanic explained that my car would drive but eventually after a week my engine would blow. He also stated that he'd be more than happy to fix the car but eventually other parts would brake down being that my car is getting on in years. I would think a dishonest mechanic would press me into fixing it and keep brining it back. He said he'd be able to rebuild the engine but that would be at least $1800 and even more with labor. A new one would be over $3000. He also said that if the engine was taken apart and the head gasket was not the problem, then what? It would cost even more money to start replacing stuff like the heating block and such. I could have it pressure tested but what if that test did not find the problem? Then I am out $20. I am not sure what to do here since I am not a mechanic. What if water managed to get in the engine? Then what?

Ok , get a new car , sorry.

Wouldn't that be what you would do in this situation?

I've got 210k on my 94 Grand am 4cyl SOHC. Its a 5 spd and runs hotter than it used to. But as lon as I don't sit in traffic too long its ok. I've had external coolant leaks and have noticed some milky colored oil (not severe) about 40-50k miles ago. Take it for what its worth but I said screw it, I'm driving it until it locks up. Here I am, the leaks have stopped and now I have a hesitation problem I can't figure out.
The leak was on the drivers side, rear, near the "knock sensor?" or maybe the water temp sensor. Good luck

Thermostat , thats where mine was.

this was last year like in May i have a 92 grand am i had the same problem and i took it to get it checked out and i got the same results as you i didn't want to get it fixed because it was a grand am i was going to sell it also but i went to a junkyard got an used engine for $600 with 80,500 and got it put in for i think it was like 400 or 500 dollars so yeah it came to about 1100 to 1200 but i still have my car plus if you get another you could have the same problem and that for any car not just a grand am atleast you would know your engine is good if you replace it thats just what i did and i'm still driving it today good luck

You might be able to save your car “carprotector”. I have a 1985 ram truck that blew the head gasket. It was hesitating and the oil and water was mixed. I went to AutoZone and found a block sealant. Once I poured it in the radiator and ran it about an hour it stop hesitating and the oil was no longer milky.
It depends on how damage the engine is but at least try that before paying for a new car or engine.

I have a '92 grand gam that is running hot has overheated twice, I am thinking to replace the thermostat can anyone tell me where it is on a quad ohc engine I followed the large hose to the engine checked that but no thermostat?

I have a 94 pontiac GA with a 2.3 quad ohc and it's been hell. i have coolant being pushe out the cap. do you have oil in your coolant? that would mean a head gasket. Is the pool coming from the seapage hole in your water pump? Could be that to start as well as gaskets. the cars are worth it to fix if you have the patience. i'd say if you were going to go with a new engine just drive it till it dies then swap it out. Don't be so scared to go with a used engine. You may not know what's been done with it but if you have one rebuilt you are still going to run into problems eventually just because it's a GA. Good luck

iv got a 1992 grand am sohc my head was cracked and i replaced the head gasket and put a new head on it. The oil was milky on mine too, i put it all back togather and it ran fine there is no need to replace the motor. it is completly salvageable, it might burn a little oil but not enough to notice, due to higher compresson...i reccomend a pressure check, it will tell u if your head is cracked. usually the block wont crack because it is steel and the head is aluminum.......Good Luck