96 grand am gT problems v6

Cars at mechanic.. they called and said this is all whats wrong/needs fixing...


crack in radiator

intake gasket

valve cover gasket

fuel injector seals

spark plugs + wires

drivebelt

air filter

I can get a new radiator for 80 bux used shipped.. is it hard to replace on your own or not possible?

Is it possible to change a "intake gasket" and "valve cover gasket" on my own? what sit usually cost if not?

can I do fuel injector seals on my own?

I know i can do spark plug and wires + air filter, but not sure on drivebelt.

Im a car newbie and only know a little on them. Help me out :)
-dan

If your inexperienced let the shop do the intake and valve cover and injector seals. When they do your intake they will just fix the other two. But if you are inexperienced you could mess up your car doing the intake. The plugs and wires just make sure you get the right wire from the coil to the plug. And the drivebelt is pretty easy, you just need a 3/8 ratchet, you put it on the tensioner and losen the tensioner, take the old belt off and put the new one on.

Don't let them put Dex-Cool back in it. Have them use the Green Anti-freeze. The rad probably cloged on it causing it to overheat. But that thing had to get really hot to crack the rad. The Dex-Cool has a tendancy to slug up. You will have no ill effects it they use the green anti-freeze. Just make sure the flush whats left of your cooling system out since mixing Dex-Cool with the green anit-freeze makes a corrosive That will damage you engine if you don't flush out all the Dex-Cool.

MOre questions.. sorry...

I don't believe the mechanic so im asking you people.

Do i need to get the intake gasket+valve cover+fuel injector fixed? what if i dont what could happen? Is it ok to drive with a cracked radiator for a few days until I get my new one shipped here and installed?

I plan on getting whatever repairs are nessicary at the shop on mon, then having it towed back to my place where I will install new plugs+wires,air filder and drivebelt, and hopefully it will be running ok until I get my new radiator.

Thanks 4 the help sofar!

I don't know if i'd drive it with a bad Intake gasket. As far as the rad as long as you can keep anti-freeze in it to keep it cool it should be okay but remember if it cant build pressure its going to over heat and can cause more damage.

DO i have to take the engine out to replace the serpentine belt ? same question goes for the radiator and spark plugs.... Also My car now seems to DIE instantly when i start itup.. it makes the VROOOM noise like its about to start up fine but just DIES like a second later. Any ideas why? Is that the spark plugs?
Thanks

what spark plug gap is needed for this car? its a 96 grand am GT v6 3.1L. Thanks!

Your start up problem may be related to the injector seals, if they are bad you may be getting too much air coming in around the seals or you could be loosing compression escaping from the seals, along with the intake and head gasket issues you mey need to get everything repaired to regain the proper seal for the cylinders. Just a thought, I sure others will more ideas for you.