94 Pontiac TransSport... power loss, poor mileage - update

[nothreat]

Re: 94 Pontiac TransSport... power loss, poor mileage - update

I have a 98 transport which had the manifold gasket leak. Got coolant in the oil. I called the GM dealer and they wanted $1100 dollars to fix it. I asked why so much if GM knew it was a design problem. The guy said they don't consider it a design problem, but he dropped $100 just to be nice. I called a local garage and he did it for $325. If you have it fixed shop around.

 

[BF]

Re: 94 Pontiac TransSport... power loss, poor mileage - update

Yup, I saw that the 3.8's also have an intake issue... we'll see. Even if that is what's wrong with the 3.1, it's done good by me. It's at 256K km, and if doin' the gasket gets it back up to snuff, it won't bug me. I intend to see how long it'll go before it really croaks, hopefully another another year or two out of the motor. Even then, I'll probably seriously consider putting a rebuilt in. I love the composite bodies on the vans... <br /><br />I did price it out with a shop that I know... They told me ~$250 labour + ~$80 for parts... For that price, I'll probably let them do, since it's a busy time of year. <br /><br />I'd spend a week skinnin' my knuckles before I'd take it into the stealership!! The shop that will get the work is an owner operated 4 stall shop. Nice guy, took time on a Sunday afternoon to press a bearing in for me once when I was stuck. Gotta keep those guys around, so I use him when I don't have time or inclination to do it myself.<br /><br />And not to defend GM, but I had a ford that had it's own issues. Not the least of which was unbelievably incompetent & dishonest service at the dealership. (there's where my attitude came from)

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: 94 Pontiac TransSport... power loss, poor mileage - update

If my conversion is correct your vehicle has 158000 miles on it. It's got plenty of life left. My 1990 Cavalier Z-24 had the 3.1 in it, and I sold it when it had 186000 miles on it. Saw it 1.5 years later, it has 225000 miles. Never had an intake issue with it!<br />If you don't mind paying an expert, I agree, $250 labor and it's done "right" seems reasonable to me. Best of luck.

 

[BF]

Re: 94 Pontiac TransSport... power loss, poor mileage - update

It's the "get done soon" versus, being on my "to do" list that's the issue more than whether they'd do a better job than me <br /><br />I agree that I should be able to expect some more miles (km's) on the motor... I've kept up with pretty much everything, so the van doesn't look or drive like a beater.<br /><br />These days with leases, lots of folks around here think a vehicle is done/worn out with 100K km.... When someone tells me that they got a new lease because their vehicle was getting close to 100K, I like the look on their face when I tell them mine is ~260 K. I think it'd be very cool to hit 350+. No, it's not a hybrid, but it's my way of being less of a consumer and a bit more "enviro-friendly".... that, and I'm cheap.

 

[BF]

Re: 94 Pontiac TransSport... power loss, poor mileage - update

an update...<br /><br />van was in the shop last week. They pressure tested the coolant system... found a leaky rad. Maybe there are other leaks too, but I guess with the leaky rad you can't be sure.<br /><br />They did some kind of a pressure run-down test on the block... said I have a leaky head gasket.<br /><br />That's all they've done.... their thoughts are that there's no use trying to further diagnose the loss of power mileage thing when it could be due to a bad head gasket.<br /><br />They estimate 13 hours labour and an it being about $1600-1700. I'm not sure if that included a new rad or not. Also this doesn't address the noisy rocker arm that it has, but could be fixed replaced along the way for little extra cash.<br /><br />I'm leaning towards not doing it... I figure I'm better off;<br /><br />1) getting a rebuilt motor put in (would be ~$2800-3K)<br /><br />or<br /><br />2) driving it as is until it really dies. then either put rebuilt in, or ditch vehicle. It drives quite well as is. The mechanic was surprised. That's part of what makes me think it has some other issue aside from a leaky head gasket.<br /><br />thoughts?

 

[tommays]

Re: 94 Pontiac TransSport... power loss, poor mileage - update

My 99 venture had the intake gasket problem hydrolock bad got fixed free then 18 months later had the head gasket problem hydrolock again <br /><br /> MY BIL runs the service deparment so the second time i did have to pay 300 dollars its been trouble free for over a 18 months now<br /><br /><br />I would have a problem droping a 3000 dollar motor in a 1994 car in general and more so with not really knowing the problem with the old one as i would think you are going to useing some of the old EFI stuff ?<br /><br /><br />tommays

 

[BF]

Re: 94 Pontiac TransSport... power loss, poor mileage - update

Yes, it's true, I've thought that the problem might move over to the new motor.... that's a real problem.<br /><br />As for dropping $3K on a new motor for a 94... while the bill wouldn't thrill me, I'd have a vehicle with a new motor and where I know the history of all the other bits... I couldn't go out and buy anything decent for $3K in these parts. For that, you'd just be buying a different project. <br /><br />I'm leaning towards just driving as is for a while... when things slow down for me a bit, maybe I'll do a bit more troubleshooting. If it really croaks in the meantime, so be it.<br /><br />I was kind of underwhelmed by the shop's interest in determining the underlying problem...<br /><br />Thanks for the reply