Thread: 96 Grand prix se 3.1 3100 SFI

Just picked up a 96 Grand prix se 3.1 3100 SFI m for my feoncee, we thought it was a good deal, its pretty clean and after a day of vacuming and all it looks nice but its lecking water/coolant. i am pretty sure its a head gasket but is there anything else it could be?

i am big and cant get under it but looks like just a stream of water coming out in one tiny spot its on the back passenger side of the car.

is these cars known for heat gasket trouble or any other problems?
thanks i hope i posted in right spot

i could be a hose or a bottle or anything. look on the radieor and see if anyting is comming from there and then go check the bottle.

Take the pass wheel off and look for a metal black hose the goes from the front of the engine to the back. It is the metal heater hose, I believe. I know I had to fix a buick regal with the same issue. I just cut the metal line and put a hose on with hose clamps. That may fix your leak.

Thanks to everyone, but I have looked for hoses with the wheel on i know I do need to take it off and look but i could see pretty well no hose where close to the leck. I wish it could be a simple as a hose but scared its not that easy.

Orange67 i dont think you was talking to me, lol I just want it to run dont need it to go fast.

No problem I am new hear so not sure how this site totally works.

I do need take the wheel off and jack it up with my big floor jack and take a look. wish i could throw some sealer on it stop it up for a while ha ha. i really don't want to take this thing apart. I could just take the back head off and not fool with front right? but if your going to do one guess should do the other I am worried the hear is wraped, it is aluminum right!?
thanks

could be the heater core, or a freeze plug too

nope, there is nothing on the passenger side of the back of the motor I took the wheel off its the block, well the head, i seen the freeze plug its below where the water is coming from. i know its the head gasket thing is its only coming out of about a spot the size of a number 2 penscil. and no where else on the gasket is it leaking from

okay anyone done a head gasket on theres? what all will i need?

this is what got so far

head gaskets
valve cover gaskets
intake manifold gasket and it comes with exhust manifold gaskets
egr valve gasket ( not sure i have to remove that or not?)
going replace bottom raditor hose cause it old and hard feeling


anything else on the engine will need ne gasket? i do not have a book on it.

Also most front wheel drive cars the water pump is inside the motor like, the timing belt runs it but this car is external right! its where the top raditor hose connects right? sorry I have not owned a front wheel drive car in years and not worked on anything but my S-10 Blazer in past few years.

Originally Posted by 96grandprixseowner

Also most front wheel drive cars the water pump is inside the motor like, the timing belt runs it but this car is external right! its where the top raditor hose connects right? sorry I have not owned a front wheel drive car in years and not worked on anything but my S-10 Blazer in past few years.

Yes, its external. on your left side right were the Plastic cover is for the Belt and pully of the water pump.

Originally Posted by Lvgrandprix2003

Yes, its external. on your left side right were the Plastic cover is for the Belt and pully of the water pump.

okay, I got get her to buy a manual for this thing. i mean i am not going to put it back together w/o one anyways .

so anyone know what other gaskets I will need?

okay so i got her apart. wow that was a lot of stuff to take off, I hate front wheel drive cars, anyhow two hours tues then it started to rain then another 3 hours yesterday. alot of the time was stoping cause my back was hurting and trying to find the wright wrench as my feoncee try help but don't know wrenches.

head gasket was broke right where it was lecking from. glad to see since i tore it all apart lol.

anyone know where can find online manuals for this car? thanks

Originally Posted by 96grandprixseowner

okay so i got her apart. wow that was a lot of stuff to take off, I hate front wheel drive cars, anyhow two hours tues then it started to rain then another 3 hours yesterday. alot of the time was stoping cause my back was hurting and trying to find the wright wrench as my feoncee try help but don't know wrenches.

head gasket was broke right where it was lecking from. glad to see since i tore it all apart lol.

anyone know where can find online manuals for this car? thanks

I know that my library has ALL the haynes manuals online. So if you get a library card and get registured online, That may be a way to get them online...

thanks out libary has them online also I found the torques for everything lastnight.

Anyone know the specs for torque for the Valve covers? Do you just get those snug? most seemed loose to me when i took part but cant find it on the chiltons manual about those or for the rocker arms??? should those just be hand tight also or is there a spec please help should be putting back together wedsday thanks

Hey! Send me an email to mikey196869@hotmail and Ill scan mine with the specs. Also I believe I have a link to a step by step guide to help you with which I believe is your LIM lower intake manifold gasket. I know,just had mine done today.If you research, known defect in 3100's. The new kit you can buy along with a new torque guideliness for bolts. Hope I helped you out!

okay so what have you guys got to put yours back together, dude at autozone saying to buy all new bolts and everything, this is a simple back yard build. we need it going asap so she have a way to work we don't have $300 for a gasket kit. I have redun v8's and I just got the gaskets and redun what needed Autozone never been a fav of mine. i guess I will look online again.