Grand Am 95 Serious Collant Problems, Mechanics No solution

Here is the story. I dont know much about cars but I have spent $1150 to fix the collant leaking problem but it is still leaking. Ive had the water pump fixed which fixed the problem for a few weeks and the heater core followed after that which fixed it for one week then I had a massive explosion that left the engine covered in anifreeze and smoke coming from under the hood. I had what I believe to be the core housing replaced. Since this replacement ive have the same part replaced 4 time in less than 2.5 weeks. My question is what could cause the core housing to keep cracking and leaking antifreeze after its been replaced. The horrible mechanics that i had working on it said that the engine which says quad 4 on it isnt the one that the manufacture put in it but i have had it for only 4 years so im not sure what exact engine might have been put in it. Any ideas?

I've had many problems with my 2003 GAGT as well. For major problems, I shell out the money and take it to the dealership. They charge alot, but they know more about that car than anyone, plus they warranty their work for 12 months/1200 miles (not sure if its the same where you are) I take it to a general mechanic for minor problems. I don't know how to fix your problem you are having, but I thought I would let you know that the dealership is the only place I feel safe about.

Thanks, I will keep that in mind

I had a 92 Grand AM SE with the QUAD 4 in it which was GM's mistake!!!!:banghead: I know they had that engin in the 95's too. Sounds like the headgasket, it went in mine at about 110,000 miles some go sooner though. Before any signs it would overheat and the coollant light would go on and then one day i check the oil and there was coolant in there. Needlless to say I got rid of it and didn't bother to fix it because it wasn't worth the money. Ever since then I have had a 99, 01, 02, and 05 Grand AM V6 and haven't had any engine problems. Hope this helps!

I had a 92 Grand AM SE with the QUAD 4 in it which was GM's mistake!!!!:banghead: I know they had that engin in the 95's too. Sounds like the headgasket, it went in mine at about 110,000 miles some go sooner though. Before any signs it would overheat and the coollant light would go on and then one day i check the oil and there was coolant in there. Needlless to say I got rid of it and didn't bother to fix it because it wasn't worth the money. Ever since then I have had a 99, 01, 02, and 05 Grand AM V6 and haven't had any engine problems. Hope this helps!


Good point GrandAmSCT. All that compression pressure in your cooling system could definitely cause stuff to fail. Dante, you might want to check your oil and make sure there isnt any coolant in there, it would make it look milky brown or white. Hope that helps some.

IMO A pluged heatercore wont make your car overheat and burst the core.
Someone may hav also just tried to seal/fix the heatercore leak and not really replaced it :dunno:

You need to find a real mechanic, not nessesarily the stealership, but a qualified dependable shop.

ANd it does sound like your headgaskets are bad, a compression test should tell you wheather it is or not.
THis is common on the 4cyl's.

Welcome to AF !

Thanks for all the help. I checked with the mechanic, or lack there of and he explained to me that there was no collant in the oil and he didnt think it was a headgasket b/c of that and b/c it doesnt overheat until this plastic housing breaks. The first time it blew up causing anifreeze to spray all over the engine and the second and third time there was a crack in it. This particular piece hadnt been giving me problems until the heater core was "replaced" but even if i could take it to someone who knew what they were doing I dont think ide pay to get it fixed. I actually have a 2.4l engine in there when the manufacture tags say a 2.3l.

im now not even sure I have a quad 4 in there. Does anyone know if there is a 2.4l version of the quad 4 and if it has a cam sensor in it?

If your car is a 95 its got the 2.3 quad 4, the 2.4 quads were used in 96 and later models. The dohc quad 2.3 is a fantastic motor when it runs. From what you are describing you may possibly have a blockage in the heater core, quite possibly someone tried to seal it instead of replacing it. I would also check your radiator for proper flow, and replace your thermostat. You definately have a blockage somewhere in the cooling system. The cooling system on this particular car is somewhat unique in that coolant circulates through the block, then heater core, then past the thermostat back to the water pump. If you have a blockage in the heater core, or a restricted heater hose, the thermostat will not open and the car will overheat. If you have a thermostat with a weak spring, engine speed will build up enough pressure in the cooling system and force the thermostat open, also putting enmorous stress on the rest of the cooling system. I've seen hoses split down the entire length due to this type of situation. If your car has been fitted with a 2.4 quad, either its a 96 or someone did alot of electrical work on the car to make that motor work. Good luck, cooling system issues on these motors can be very difficult.