Hi from the Eclipse/Talon section.
I am in the process of buying a 2001 Grand Am 4cyl 4dr from a good friend. I'm getting the great deal of $250. Since my DSM is always being worked on, getting ready for a motor swap, and makes for a terrible winter car, I couldn't pass on this deal.
A little about the car.
My buddy was driving it the other day and just out of nowhere it shuts off and doesn't start. Cranks very nicely, but won't turn over. He took it to a mechanic and said there was low compression and that the head gasket was shot. After reading the forum, it seems like a common problem. The car has 125,000 miles on, and no one knows if the timing chain or the other components including the head gasket were ever replaced. The car is also leaking coolant. Buddy thought it was the radiator, but after I looked at it, it's dripping on the ground from behind the block, closer to the firewall, which makes me think it the head gasket is so bad that the car won't start, that's probably where the coolant is coming from. Also needs a new O2 sensor.
I've got quite a bit of experience on cars thanks to my DSM, so tearing down a motor is no problem. I'll be buying a Haynes manual this weekend and doing some reading. Replace the entire head on mine in 2 days the first time I did it, just because I was taking my time and learning along the way. Is there a tutorial on line of tearing down the block and setting timing?
What else should I know about these cars? I'm keeping it totally stock except for a radio and an alarm. Maybe a CAI for some better MPG, but it's my winter and DD car, so it HAS to run at all times. Car has new tires and battery.
Any help is appreciated!