New 94

Hello everyone,

Picked up my first pontiac a couple of months ago. Its a 94 Grand Prix SE with the 3.1 and 110,000miles. It seems to be a good reliable car. I have already done some work to it, as it had been somewhat neglected before I touched it. However there are still some issues that I have't been able to shake.

First, the EGR valve. It was throwing codes, so I ebayed a quality slightly used one. It still throws codes WHY? The car does not run rough on the expressway or around town and I have been getting anywhere between 14mpg(delivering pizzas) to 24mpg(@75mph). <I dont know even if these are normal numbers for these cars> If the valve itself is good, why would it still throwing codes?

Also, It leaks oil and transfluid like it was made to. The biggest part of the oil leak appears to be comming from the rear main seal? Is this typical, or is it more likely I am over looking a simple valve cover leak?

Anyone toss a remote start on one of these? Im living in an apartment and it has been so cold that this seems like the only logical modification to make right now. I put one on a 88 Cougar in the past. Given the right security bypass, am I going to be in for any other big surprises on here?

Thanks a lot and I look forward to using this sight,
Andy

On the EGR valve, that car uses a 3 solenoid electronic valve (big $$ so I don't blame you for going used). Since there is no vacuum lines or control solenoids, only three things can cause an EGR code on your car, bad valve, bad signal to valve (either because of ECM issue or wiring), or the EGR passages are clogged with carbon.

The oil leak may be the o-ring seal for the oil pump drive shaft. It is essentially a distributor shaft with the top cut off. It is located under the throttle body in the center of the engine block's "V" and is retained by one bolt and a forked bracket. The throttle body will have to be removed to gain access. The seal is cheap (only a $1 or so). This seal will leak oil like a sieve, and it will appear to be a rear main leak, but the oil is actually running down the block from the top. It's not impossible that the rear main is leaking, but check this first.

On the trans fluid consumption, check the vacuum line to the trans modulator. If there is trans fluid present in the line, the trans modulator has a leaky diaphram, and needs to be replaced.

Thanks for the advise on the o-ring. Sounds like your dead on. Im 2000 miles into the oil change and have already had to put in two quarts, and it kinda seems to only leak when it is running (just drips for hours after) so it makes sense to be at the top of the motor. I think I was unclear about the trans fluid. I will check the vacuum lines just incase, but it seems to be simply comming out of the coolant lines. Just bad seals or cracked hoses. As soon as it gets above freezing and I dont have to lay in a puddle of water I will be more agressive about this matter.

Now at least I have a couple more things to check on that egr. Would it be okay to run the car with the electric disconnected to see if it responds any differently? Otherwise what is the best way to get that carbon out of there?

I contacted a local shop because my 97 GP had thrown the EGR valve code also. They said that if you take it off and look inside and see if there is alot of carbon build up, to clean it up and put it back on instead of buying a new one. I looked up a new one and they wanted $150$ bucks for that thing. So I cleaned it up and have no problems so far. (knock on wood) :grinyes: I did it about 2 weeks ago.

I know it has been a while, but I do read other posts regualry and thought I would up date you all about my little car.

About two to three weeks ago I finally pulled the throttle body off the intake. There was a massive carbon build up in the port going to the EGR. I Cleaned it out and cleaned up the throttle body itself...... No more SES dummy light!!!!!!!!!!

While I was in there I took off the top of the oil pump drive shaft, replaced the o-ring and gooped it up....... I went from leaking 3 quarts of oil every 2000 miles to a single drop on the concrete every couple of days!!!!!!!!! from god knows where. By the way this was not as easy of a job to do as I was lead to believe, but very doable with the right pacients and very worth it!

The motor and trans are running like a champ with 110,000 miles. I am very impressed for a 3.1

The remote start was rather easy to install as compared to the couple others I have done. I went with a Bulldog that I e-bayed.... i love it. It warms up the car, locks and unlocks the doors, and pops the trunk all from the remote.

Also blacked out the pink/red accent line that wraped around the car and had my brother draw some flames on the back of the trunk that I painted black. All this actually makes that bright green stock paint look pretty sharp especially at night. Wish I had a digital camera to put up pictures, but Im sure everyone can practically visualize it.

For being such a big Ford man my entire life I can not believe I am falling for this pontiac, which I thought would just get me through the winter or maby to deliver some pizzas when I need the cash. This is a great network! Keep it up!!

Later
Andy