New Grand Prix Owner, Has A Couple Questions

[92bonny]

Hello everybody,
I am a proud new owner of a 1997 GTP and I love it. I never thought I would enjoy a car as much as I enjoyed my Z28 but this did the trick. Anyway I have a couple concerns. First at idle, the engine makes an inconsistant knocking noise form the motor especially when it's in gear, however the car is extremely smooth and at 40,500 miles I can't imagine it's a big problem but it's quite noticable. Also the power steering is also quite loud when turning, unusually loud. And last, the MPG on the information center always says 15.0-15.2, even on the highway and I don't think this is normal. Anyway, any help would be very much appreciated.

[GTPgirl]

Originally Posted by 92bonny

Hello everybody,
I am a proud new owner of a 1997 GTP and I love it. I never thought I would enjoy a car as much as I enjoyed my Z28 but this did the trick. Anyway I have a couple concerns. First at idle, the engine makes an inconsistant knocking noise form the motor especially when it's in gear, however the car is extremely smooth and at 40,500 miles I can't imagine it's a big problem but it's quite noticable. Also the power steering is also quite loud when turning, unusually loud. And last, the MPG on the information center always says 15.0-15.2, even on the highway and I don't think this is normal. Anyway, any help would be very much appreciated.

What octane gas are you running? Owner's Manual recommends 91...anything less will cause knocking. And using higher octane will give you better gas mileage...at least it does for me, I used to run mid-grade in my car, then went to Supreme, and it improved my mileage. Also try resetting the MPG on your DIC next time you fill up, and also reset the counter on the odometer, and figure it up the old-fashioned way, and compare the two. Could be your DIC is just out of whack.

As for the steering, in the '97s there is a recall on the rack & pinion...the lower steering bearing will separate, causing problems. Also, when my '97 had the noise after replacing the rack & pinion, I found out I had a valve in my power steering pump that was sticking, so that could be the culprit. Take the VIN to a dealership (Any GM dealership, doesn't have to be Pontiac) and they can tell you whether or not the rack & pinion has already been fixed...and while you're at it, there's also a wiper recall and a oil pan gasket recall.

[kustomkid54]

Originally Posted by 92bonny

Hello everybody,
I am a proud new owner of a 1997 GTP and I love it. I never thought I would enjoy a car as much as I enjoyed my Z28 but this did the trick. Anyway I have a couple concerns. First at idle, the engine makes an inconsistant knocking noise form the motor especially when it's in gear, however the car is extremely smooth and at 40,500 miles I can't imagine it's a big problem but it's quite noticable. Also the power steering is also quite loud when turning, unusually loud. And last, the MPG on the information center always says 15.0-15.2, even on the highway and I don't think this is normal. Anyway, any help would be very much appreciated.

Does the noise die down when it warms up? If so, it's the couplers in the super charger.
I don't know of too many GP's that don't have power steering noise.

Enjoy the car. There great.

Oh welcome to the best fourm around.

[92bonny]

Thanks for all the info, I'll have the dealer check the VIN for me and verify the recalls. Also the knocking happens when it's warm or cold but like I said it revs up really smooth and accelerates flawlessly and is really only evident at idle and more so when its in gear. If its the coupler is it expensive or is it a relatively easy fix, thanks again.