Howdy from south central PA. Formerly a Mopar fanatic... I recently strayed from my normal habits and put my money into a 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix GT (non-supercharged K-vin series). Test drive had me hooked. Now mind you... I am used to driving a Dodge Stealth (5spd manual naturally aspirated) and could not fathom that there was a better car than this, the test drive in the Grand Prix proved me wrong even though it is only an automatic. I loved every aspect of it. I knew the fuel pump was bad because my fuel indicator was reporting full tank although it was only 1/4 full and so forth. What has snuck up on me now is the dreaded intake manifold leak. Well I suspect that's what it is after some research and work on the car. A few days after the purchase I noticed the temps rising and falling drastically (usual suspect for faulty thermostat/water pump) and proceeded to change out the thermostat and topped it off while I was at it. No change in rapid rising and falling of coolant temps. I am going to change the water pump and flush the system while I am at it because I did noticed additives in the radiator cap fill area. What is leading me to believe that I have a leak in the intake area is because #6 is misfiring and the RPMs are all over the place and the coolant smoke is up near the top of the engine rather than down by the water pump. I have yet to pull #6 to see the condition of the spark plug. I just hope I can just pull the top end off and replace the gaskets all the way around. I probably should even in the event that it is not the problem to save myself the headache later.
Anyrate... Pontiac has won a convert despite my current setbacks. I look forward to learning more from the well rounded veterans here in future modifications I have in mind for this car.
