GrandAM has less power and stutters in morning after getting water pump replaced

[tones3311]

Hi all,

I am looking for some help. I had the water pump replaced in my '96 Grandam about 2 weeks ago. Ever since the car does not have as much power as it did before and when you take off first thing in the morning the car stutters and almost seems like it will stall but then picks up and goes on.

I have had it back to the garage and they can't find what the problem is and seem to be throwing everything it at causing my bill to go through the roof which I am very upset about. They have put new plugs in, ignitor board and some other things which have done nothing to fix the problem.

They aren't convinced its something they did when putting the water pump in but I am sure it is,,,,,the car was fine before that. The same day I got it back I noticed the problem the first time I drove it.

Does anyone have any suggestions about what the problem might be? Also I am very upset with this $700 bill I now have with nothing fixed on the car....I am going to fight paying it (or at least all of it). I wonder if I have a leg to stand on.

Thanks!

Tony

[xeroinfinity]

Welcome to AF Tony.

I assume your engine is a 4 cyl ...?

If its only doing it when the engines cold,
I'd check & clean the IAC and check fuel pressure.

[DepecheFan08]

I have the same exact problem on my 96 grand am gt. In fact, I have had it for quite a while and I never had the water pump replaced. The problem just came on it's own.

Last year I replaced fuel regulator and injector o-rings both at the same time and the problem went away. It's fairly simple and inexpensive if you do it yourself so I'd check on that first. I wouldn't count on it too much however. The problem came back 6 moths later and once again, no mechanic can tell what's wrong with the car.

[tones3311]

Thanks guys.

sorry yes it is a 4cyl Quad 4.

I stopped in at the mechanics today and we both took it for a run....it did seem better..he said he cleaned up the IAC so hopefully that helps.

The real test will be tomorrow morning.....that is when the car is the first when it has been sitting overnight.

Thanks for the feedback. Very Helpful.

[DepecheFan08]

Let me know how that goes Tony. The morning/first start sputtering and dying issue has been giving me headaches for years now. It looks like we have the same car as well so hopefully the IAC clean up worked for you.

[xeroinfinity]

Being its 11 years old the injectors are a big posibility.
Over time they get weaker and dirty/clogged

Which I am sure the water pump was totally coinsidental.

Keep me posted!

[tones3311]

Well, after having the IAC cleaned and about $500.00 later for everything the stuttering still exists. Not sure what to do at this point....pretty upset at my mechanic for spending this money without being able to find or solve the problem.

I might take it to someone else and see if they can find the problem and if they do bring it back to my mechanic to fix it for the cost I already paid for the other parts that apparently now it seems I did not need.

[DepecheFan08]

Originally Posted by tones3311

Well, after having the IAC cleaned and about $500.00 later for everything the stuttering still exists. Not sure what to do at this point....pretty upset at my mechanic for spending this money without being able to find or solve the problem.

I might take it to someone else and see if they can find the problem and if they do bring it back to my mechanic to fix it for the cost I already paid for the other parts that apparently now it seems I did not need.

It does sound like the vacuum leakage. It will be very hard to diagnose. Yours probably came about b/c they didnt seal something properly after replacing the water pump. How mine came about..I don't know but we do have the same issue. It's definitely sucking air somewhere.

Have you tried to warm the car up for about ten minutes and then try to drive it? does the car still stutter? If you havent..try it let it sit for a while, then drive it and see if still persists. Mine goes away if I let the engine warm up. Have you cheked your injector o-rings?

[tones3311]

Originally Posted by DepecheFan08

It does sound like the vacuum leakage. It will be very hard to diagnose. Yours probably came about b/c they didnt seal something properly after replacing the water pump. How mine came about..I don't know but we do have the same issue. It's definitely sucking air somewhere.

Have you tried to warm the car up for about ten minutes and then try to drive it? does the car still stutter? If you havent..try it let it sit for a while, then drive it and see if still persists. Mine goes away if I let the engine warm up. Have you cheked your injector o-rings?

I'm thinking this is definately the problem. Its the only thing that really makes sense....the car was fine before the water pump work and began acting funny as soon as I got it back.

Now just what to do with the mechanic.....the only thing I can probably tell him is to take it apart and make sure its sealed properly? Doubt he is going to like it but too bad IMO.

Thanks all for the great feedback.....I'll let you know how it goes.

[tones3311]

I just spoke to the mechanic and he said some kind of vacuum leakage might be the problem but assured me it would have nothing to do with the work done on the water pump (what a surprise). He gave me some explanation of the combustion chamber and how it works and how there is nothing near the bottom of the engine where the water pump is that would cause a vacuum leaking...../shrug......I'm not a mechanic so I have no idea if he is pulling my leg.

He said he will take it in again and check the hoses and see if there might be some leakage there.

This is a real pain....oh well....at least its now my Ex's Car!!! lol.