Idle problems with a twist...

I have a 1994 G.P. GTP with the 3.4 DOHC. I have the same idle problems that everyone else is having, with the RPMs bouncing up and down upon startup. The general concensus seems to be intake gaskets. I have had this problem for a few months now, but a couple of days ago it developed a new problem. The motor really "putt-putt-putts". You can really hear it at the tail pipe, especially right after it starts up. It really sounds like some old guy saying the words "Putt-Putt-Putt"" over and over. And I notice the car does not want to go...like it has a bad loss of power. Especially after the car shifts into high gear at highway speeds, if you let off the gas for a second, then touch the gas again the whole car starts to shake a little bit. The SES light does not come on, which is really wierd for it to be lit up with the car running so crappy. Here is my question: Is this just the intake gasket problem getting worse, or do I have a new problem? Also, does anybody have step by step instructions for how to change these intake gaskets, or know of a link? With so many people with the same problem, there should be a bunch of us do it yourselfers out there. Thanks everybody!

Actually this sounds like the catalytic convertor is causing you problems. The loss of power may be due to it being blocked or partially blocked. The putt putt you hear may be due to the back pressure from the blocked cat. Try removing it or unhooking it from the exhaust to see what happens. If you have leaking intake gaskets and water is being introduced into the exhaust this can cause the cat to go bad. Good Luck!

Changed the plugs and wires and that fixed the "putt-putt" problem. Idle still acting crazy, but I finally convinced my mechanic that intake gaskets could be the problem. Getting those changed today, so we'll see how that goes.

Intake gaskets replaced and now the car is running like a top. Started right up this morning, ice cold outside (like 4 degrees F) and idle did not bounce a bit. Noticed more power during acceleration too. 1994, 3.4 DOHC, 115K miles. Here's to 115K more!

Changed the plugs and wires and that fixed the "putt-putt" problem. Idle still acting crazy, but I finally convinced my mechanic that intake gaskets could be the problem. Getting those changed today, so we'll see how that goes.
My car is also doint the "putt-putt" sound out the tail pipes. I had changede the plugs and wires about 6k miles ago and just redid the whole top end of the engine. Car has no Cat. Didn't do this before. Any suggestions.

Hi,
I also have the same kind of problem. When I start my car the rpm sometimes bounces up and down (not always) with the inner lights getting dimmer and brighter.

so is it just the intake gasket? If so... how much do they cost me??

can somebody let me know a.s.a.p

thanks so much

and it has just been tuned up.

here is the detail
yr: 1999
model: gt coupe
engine: 3.8 v6

i did notice today that something was leaking and i looked under and seen right where the pipe comes into the muffler water was dripping slowly. Is this a major problem?

Hi,
I also have the same kind of problem. When I start my car the rpm sometimes bounces up and down (not always) with the inner lights getting dimmer and brighter.

so is it just the intake gasket? If so... how much do they cost me??

can somebody let me know a.s.a.p

thanks so much


It could be a couple of different things. Check the idle air control valve. Cleaning that and the throttle body is always a good idea. Not sure what motor you have, but if it is a 94 3.4L DOHC then my experience and apparantly the experience of quite a few with this moter is that the intake gaskets go bad. Mine cost $500 to replace. THis motor is not very labor-friendly if you ask me, so I would not consider this job to be a do-it-yourself project unless you have done this kind of thing before.