Couple of questions 1991 Pontiac Grand Prix LE 3.1

[gaiusmarius]

Hi all, glad i found this place! I love my Pontiac, i've had it for several years with no real problems, i've always been very diligent of maintenance on her over the years. But having said that i do have a couple of things that have been ongoing now for a long time. They don't stop the car from performing exceptionaly well, but since i found this place i thought to ask.


1./ There is a "Tapping" sound when i first turn the engine over but this disappears after about 2 minutes.

2./ The Dashboard Temp gauge always goes to redline in the morning after i'am on the highway for a couple of minutes, then goes back to "normal" temp. of 105 very quickly. The max being 125.

Thoughts or shared experiences would be very welcome!

[03impala9c1]

i would say lifter? for the ticking noise

as for the temp do you have your numbers messed up here because the temp should read normally around 190 to 200 degrees?

[gaiusmarius]

Originally Posted by 03impala9c1

i would say lifter? for the ticking noise

as for the temp do you have your numbers messed up here because the temp should read normally around 190 to 200 degrees?

Lifter? is it serious?

The temp gauge only has 2 numbers on it 105 and 125 being the upper limit red zone. Strange because i agree it is normaly for other cars 200 or so. I checked and it is a Canadian built unit, not sure what to make of it.

[grandprixgtx00]

so in other words...the temp gage would be in celcuis

as far as the lifter...on your next oil change, try putting a quart of tranny fluid in the oil, it usually makes the ticking go away. its fairly normal for older cars to do that when you first start them up.

and for the temp gauge problem...try putting a T-stat in it, it may be sticking

**edit** if the T-stat doesnt help, then I'm afraid you might need a headgasket my friend. are you losing any coolant???

[gaiusmarius]

Originally Posted by grandprixgtx00

so in other words...the temp gage would be in celcuis

as far as the lifter...on your next oil change, try putting a quart of tranny fluid in the oil, it usually makes the ticking go away. its fairly normal for older cars to do that when you first start them up.

and for the temp gauge problem...try putting a T-stat in it, it may be sticking

**edit** if the T-stat doesnt help, then I'm afraid you might need a headgasket my friend. are you losing any coolant???

Thanks for the help all, well the tapping sound is coming from the top of the engine and your right she is old lol.

No coolant loss whatsoever, the oil is nuce and clean (as always).

The heads look good on inspection, dunno why the temp gage goes up and down when i first start the car, goes away after being on the highway a few minutes. I'll try the t-stat idea, sounds reasonable, pick one up on payday, get back to ya's on it.

[FISH96]

Dear Gaiusmarius,
Check Your Private Messages For My Reply To Your Query.
Regards,
Fish96

[richtazz]

the engine in your car is a "zero lash" engine, and no valve adjustment is possible. As they age, they will start to tick, as the lifters and pushrods wear and get a little loose until full oil flow reaches the top end. This is totally normal, and nothing to worry about.

The temp guage going to red line and then back down is an indication of air in the cooling system. It can get in there anytime the system is opened (if you've changed a water pump, thermostat, hose, etc...) and has to be bled out. Since it does this just as the t-stat opens, it sounds like an air bubble, not a bad t-stat. The temp sensor is located in the rear head, between cylinders 3 and 5, and is near the coolant transfer passage. If an air bubble is present, it normally settles in the heater core or rear head after the car is shut off (as these are two of the highest points in the cooling system), and will pass by the temp sensor (causing the guage to peg momentarily) when the t-stat opens.