Lumina Disease

[jdemestihas]

I had a 95 Lumina with the 3.1
Tranny crapped out at 88k mi.
Surged and also at times would require flooring the
throttle to get it to kick down a gear or else it would very very slowly accelerate. Started intermitten and eventually did it constantly.
Dealer stated electronic controls inside tranny bad. bought a service replacement. 1 Month later car was driving fine parked and turned it off. Went to start it later and all kinds of metallic noises when cranking. Wouldnt start. Pulled heads and 2 pistons were shot. Holes in them. a few valves were toast.
Bought an engine from a wrecked car with 20k miles. Drove for 5k more and traded it in.
We renamed it the Lemona.
GM has yet to figure out how to make a fwd car that is reliable and will go 200k miles like a Japanese car.

[richtazz]

my 91 grand prix had 225k on it and still had 40psi oil pressure at idle. I only sold it because I bought a 99 Grand Prix and didn't need it anymore. The new owner is tickled. I bet your car had either an intake leak, common on Vin-m 3100's, or a vacuum leak causing it to run lean.

[cadgear]

Originally Posted by jdemestihas

GM has yet to figure out how to make a fwd car that is reliable and will go 200k miles like a Japanese car.

Trouble is, GM is using Japanese cars and relabeling as their own, so don't go off on the Japanese tanget just yet.

As far as GM having no reliability, well, both my 91 olds and 90 grand prix hit well in excess of 180k, with zero problems mechanically speaking. My brother's 2003 Impala patrol car is on its way to 130k, and those are HARD miles. I imagine if the second owner cares for it, he/she will see the ODO roll to 200k (I know if I got it I would ensure it did). Its all in how well you take care of your car. Treat it good and it'll last, skimp on maintaining and you'll find yourself angry at the car when it gives up the ghost early on.

[cadgear]

Originally Posted by detroitdipset

I also was wondering how to change oil. I know, I know everyman should know this but gotta learn some way and i rather learn than pay beacuse an college students money really has to stretch. Thanx A lot guys and sorry fpr the very novice questions,
Charles Mitchell

What got me started into fixing cars was a Haynes manual, $15 from most auto parts stores. Wanting to save cash on simple maintainence, I read it cover-to-cover a million times before I started taking matters into my own hands. Its pretty easy to understand, with photos and diagrams and whatnot. Worth the money for anyone who has a car. That or a Chilton's (very similar).

[jdemestihas]

I was second owner!
Technically the Lumina was Canadian

Originally Posted by cadgear

Trouble is, GM is using Japanese cars and relabeling as their own, so don't go off on the Japanese tanget just yet.

As far as GM having no reliability, well, both my 91 olds and 90 grand prix hit well in excess of 180k, with zero problems mechanically speaking. My brother's 2003 Impala patrol car is on its way to 130k, and those are HARD miles. I imagine if the second owner cares for it, he/she will see the ODO roll to 200k (I know if I got it I would ensure it did). Its all in how well you take care of your car. Treat it good and it'll last, skimp on maintaining and you'll find yourself angry at the car when it gives up the ghost early on.