blown head gasket..maybe more?

[kay1127]

i have a 2001 pontiac grand prix i was given by my mom. it needs a head gasket, and at least 1 sensor( one o2 sensor). my boyfriend who is a mechanic said he would do the head gasket job for me. when he hooked it up to the computer, there were multiple codes spitting up that didnt show up before the head gasket went. is it possible that these codes are showing up because of the head gasket being blown or that they are acually going bad? to what i can remember, something with the manifold, catalytic converter, and a few sensors. i just want to know if this car would be worth getting fixed or if its shit the bucket. anybody who can help me id appriciate it. thank you.

[matthew24u]

If your boyfriends a mechanic why are you talking to us? he should know that a 2001 G P ain`t worth fixing unless its in very excellent shape or unless thats just the car you want because if thats what you like then thats what you like. But if your not sure about it, then it is not the best car to put a lot of money into. one more but ,but if its just his time and a little money and its not in bad shape at all then its just a matter of what you like! good luck with your decision hope this helps.

[gmtech1]

Without knowing what the codes are, I can't say for sure what is related or not. Yes, it is entirely possible that the other codes are related to the headgasket though.

[kay1127]

he said it was my decision so i wanted to know opinions of people who have had experience with this car. i dont know the exact codes, i just remember most of what he said popped up on the computer.

[GTP Dad]

A car of that age is worth saving unless it has a tremendous number of miles on the odometer. Many of the problems are probably related to the head gasket going. If there was water in the cylinders it could have damaged the O2 sensors along with the convertor. I would have the engine torn down to see what the inside of the engine looks like. If the gasket blew just recently I don't expect any serious damage it will take some time and money to get it going again but like I said unless the cost equals that of a new car I would fix it!

[Tech II]

First thing is, how is the car running after the head gasket job?

Second, clear all the codes, and see what comes back......many times, I have seen guys start a job with the key on, and because they have disconnected sensors, codes are set....so clear the codes, road test it, see how the car runs(any symptoms), if the CE light comes on, get the numbers of the codes reset....

[rkvons]

Well it depends on the miles she's got on her and how it was maintained during them. If it was given to you and you need to spend 200 bucks to get it fixed, what have you got to loose? I would fix it, reset the codes and go from there. If it does not work out, you can sell it to a bone yard for 500 bucks.

[Hynzie]

I think they are worth saving, with no body rust on them and the transmission is shifting smooth, I just replaced a bunch of stuff on one with 353,000 kmand plan to go alot further with it

[tblake]

Originally Posted by matthew24u

If your boyfriends a mechanic why are you talking to us? he should know that a 2001 G P ain`t worth fixing unless its in very excellent shape or unless thats just the car you want because if thats what you like then thats what you like. But if your not sure about it, then it is not the best car to put a lot of money into. one more but ,but if its just his time and a little money and its not in bad shape at all then its just a matter of what you like! good luck with your decision hope this helps.

Lets try and keep advice to factual info and not personal opintions. Many circumstances could affect her decision on whether or not to repair it including milage, age, condition, etc..... If she's got free labor (ie her Boyfriend), then head and intake gaskets, coolant, and a filter will be less than 200 bucks. BTW, my 2000 GTP has 195k miles, and is still running like a champ, shifts perfect, and starts every time (original motor and trans). I can't forsee anything going wrong with it that could stop it dead in its tracks, so any little issues that crop up I'm fixing especially in this economy becuase some of us can't afford a new car right now. Not that I'd want a new POS anyways. There arent many cars that are made nowadays that are as good of quality as the grand prix was in early 2000's.

[carrfixr]

i would like to know why it was diagnosed as a bad head gasket. there are other things that can give you a bad head gasket diagnosis if not checked properly..

i guess i will never know as i dont believe this poster is still on here after the way she was jumped on

[tblake]

Originally Posted by carrfixr

i would like to know why it was diagnosed as a bad head gasket. there are other things that can give you a bad head gasket diagnosis if not checked properly..

i guess i will never know as i dont believe this poster is still on here after the way she was jumped on

[grandprixgtx00]

Originally Posted by matthew24u

If your boyfriends a mechanic why are you talking to us? he should know that a 2001 G P ain`t worth fixing unless its in very excellent shape or unless thats just the car you want because if thats what you like then thats what you like. But if your not sure about it, then it is not the best car to put a lot of money into. one more but ,but if its just his time and a little money and its not in bad shape at all then its just a matter of what you like! good luck with your decision hope this helps.

Who's this guy!? Do you realize these motors are proven to go 200-300k without even batting an eyelash?

i have a 2001 pontiac grand prix i was given by my mom. it needs a head gasket, and at least 1 sensor( one o2 sensor). my boyfriend who is a mechanic said he would do the head gasket job for me. when he hooked it up to the computer, there were multiple codes spitting up that didnt show up before the head gasket went. is it possible that these codes are showing up because of the head gasket being blown or that they are acually going bad? to what i can remember, something with the manifold, catalytic converter, and a few sensors. i just want to know if this car would be worth getting fixed or if its shit the bucket. anybody who can help me id appriciate it. thank you.

As suggested, reset the codes and see what happens. Another thing to keep in mind, you say you believe there's some kind of code for the CAT. There was a TSB for clogged catalytic converters on the 2001 Grand Prix. If the repair was never done, then it may need to be replaced. Unfortunately you're past the 10 year mark to get it replaced for free.