1999 Pontiac Grand Am idling

HO0PZ23

MEMBER
1999 PONTIAC GRAND AM

Engine Performance problem
1999 Pontiac Grand Am 6 cyl Four Wheel Drive Automatic 117k miles

ok, so I have a few things going on with this vehicle, I dont know if they will all be relevant to the engine but Im going to throw them at you and see what you say

when I start my vehicle, it automatically idles like Im pushing on the accelerator a little.

after driving for maybe 15 min. It smells like the engine is getting hot, but the temperature gauge never goes past halfway oh and smoke comes from the engine if its been on for like 15 min.

and lately it doesn't seem to accelerate as well as it used to.

I had a cracked head replaced in november, and 6 months before that the lower intake manifold gaskets were replaced. What else could be wrong with this dang car

ps I know nothing about cars, so if I sound stupid with terms, its because I have no clue!

4 Replies

IMPALASS

MECHANIC
3,112 POSTS

Hello -

To better assist you please tell me if your model is a GT or SE. Also the size of your engine in liter and the 8th digit of your VIN.

So - if I understand you... When the car is cold and you start it, the idle is higher than what you feel is normal....... Yes?

How long has this been going on?

What went on with the car/engine when this did start?

Next, at normal operating temperature.....(When you say the gauge is about half, this is where it has always been... Yes?)
Does it still idle high?
You smell something from the engine... And it is smoking... When you pop the hood and look around, can you see about where the smoke is coming from? You may not know the term but describe or better, attach a pic.

Poor acceleration..... Is this cold and when at normal operating temperature?

When they replace the head, did they surface it, do a valve job on it?

Why did you have the lower intake manifold gaskets replaced?

Please go to Auto Zone (AZ) or O'Reilly's (OR) and for FREE they can pull the codes to the car. Most important: Once they check your codes, if they find something and you don't get it fixed and need to get back with us, please make sure you tell us exactly what the code was, number and all. Example, if the code was E0568 O2 Sensor bad. Then make sure you give us all of that. While there for FREE also they can bring their tester out and check your battery and alternator.

Okay....... Answer/do the above and get back with me.........

Hey, don't be so hard on yourself....... You don't sound stupid..... And we all have different talents and gifts the good Lord gave us.......I am sure you have many more that we would be writing you for advice on.........

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Saturday, March 7th, 2009 AT 7:44 PM

HO0PZ23

MEMBER
2 POSTS

I can answer some of those questions now, some Ill have to wait because I am at work but lets see:

its the GT. And its the 3.4L

and yes, when I start it, it idles higher than I would think it should, at one point, I could drive down the road without even pressing on the break, but it only does this now when it first starts, if I leave it running for about 10 min. It stops. And this has probably went on for about 2 months

And by the normal temp, yeah I mean what its always been, when its been running for awhile, it usually sets at around halfway and thats where it stays even when it seems like I can smell the engine getting hot. It doesnt still idle high though, and actually it seems like when Ive been driving it for awhile, it takes it a little longer accelerate.

The smoke seems like its coming from the back of the engine? Its just enough that you can see a little coming from under the hood as soon as the car turns off.

The poor acceleration is when its at normal operating temp

I cant even tell you what this guy did when he fixed the cracked head, all I know is when I went to pick it up I also had two flat tires waiting for me that he hadn't even noticed.

Annnd I had to have the lower intakes replaced because they were leaking, which from what Ive read seems to be rather common with this particular engine.

I appreciate any info that you are able to give!

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Saturday, March 7th, 2009 AT 8:03 PM

IMPALASS

MECHANIC
3,112 POSTS

Hey - you reposted. . .. . .. . ..to answer me back just click on the "reply to question" at the bottom

Then that will take you to the below page. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .

Enter your response etc in the Your Message area that the red arrow is pointing to then once you have all of that the way you want, hit the "submit" button that the second arrow is pointing to.

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Sunday, March 8th, 2009 AT 12:11 AM

IMPALASS

MECHANIC
3,112 POSTS

Hello -

Thanks for the info.......

I will wait until I hear back from you on the codes.

Next, take good flash light and look all around the engine where the heads fit against the block and the lower intake manifold connects.

See if you see anything leaking..... It may be gooey, it will look like it is running down. I would first look when the engine is cold to get a good close look.

Then when it is running and gets good and warm and starts smoking - then shut it off and then look to see the exact place it is smoking.

See if it is oil or water.......

Okay......... Looking forward to hearing from you.

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Sunday, March 8th, 2009 AT 1:23 AM