Hot answers tagged pontiac
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The cat back is just that the exhaust pipe including the muffler from the catalytic converter to the end of the tail pipe. Seems odd to me, not impossible just odd that you would need to replace the entire exhaust system from the cat back to pass inspection. I see from your profile that you are from PA and road salt can deteriorate an exhaust in that ...
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Follow the vehicle's designated maintenance schedule. If it says you should change the automatic transmission fluid at a mileage near or below 120k, then change it. If not, then don't.
The manual for your 2004 Pontiac Vibe states:
Change automatic transaxle fluid every 60,000 miles (100 000 km) if
the vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of ...
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You've got a fifth-generation W-body Grand Prix. So, possibly a Buick Regal, Olds Cutlass Supreme or Chevrolet Lumina from the same year will have what you need. Of course, your keys probably won't work with the donor cylinder(s). A dealer can probably get you new cylinders to match your keys. There are various online retailers, too, where you can get GM ...
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Looks like oil - simplest place to start is to get the front jacked up, ideally on axle stands or a ramp to make it as safe as possible.
Get a good maintenance lamp and just start looking for oil - the shine gives it away, even amongst the dirt you get on the underside of the engine.
Check the drain valve for the oil pan/sump, and look for drips down the ...
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Don't be discouraged by a new part not working. My family runs a shop, and we get defective parts all the time.
There is a table located here that shows diagnostic steps you can take. It's for a 1999 model, but 1999-2001 are virtually the same (I own a 2001 G/T model).
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First, if it runs hotter during slower speeds (the 25mph-50mph you mention), I would think this is a sign that you're not getting enough airflow through the radiator. This might be a fan issues, but it might also be some other obstruction that prevents sufficient airflow.
You said you hit a deer and had the radiator replaced as a result. I would check or ...
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The fuel pump combined with the fuel pressure regulator should take care of any air in the lines. If you don't like the idea of cranking the car continuously until it starts (it would take 3 cycles or so), then turn the key into the "on" position without cranking it. This causes the fuel pump to run, because it primes the fuel system in anticipation of ...
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It can be done with a power source and a standard VOM. Apply appropriate power source to appropriate pins while listening for click and looking for the desired effect (could be presence vs. absence of voltage or continuity/lack of) on the VOM which would be attached to the appropriate pins.
You'll want a repair manual to find out what to replace ...
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This actually ended up being a very simple problem. Something so simple that I'm almost in disbelief.
My car has been running nearly straight antifreeze.(I'd say about 90% anyway) Everyone I'd talked to locally has said it should run even cooler doing that... but they're wrong. I emptied my expansion tank(not the radiator itself) and filled it with ...
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These parts are very rigid, which makes them delicate. You have to know where the clips are, and for most cars a putty knife or some kind of wedge will work. Once the clips are popped, you replaced any broken one, and reinstall. I can't speculate on the location of the clips for your particular vehicle, but you can usually tell by feeling around the part. Be ...
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remove the door panel and reach inside to release the retaining clip for the linkage then the clip that retains the lock. install the new cylinder and clip attach the linkage.The part is available at an auto parts store for under $50. As a side not this kit from Auto Parts warehouse includes two locks for the doors but your ignition will still use your old ...
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I had to do this recently, like Brian said you'll need a power source and a multimeter. Most relays have a wiring diagram printed on them and most automotive relays are 4 pronged. Two prongs will be your positive and negative power and the other two will be the bridge that is made. What I did, and this was a very very cheap method and suggest for possible ...
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I'd vote heater core issue first. If the heater core is clogged you might not be getting enough hot coolant through to get significant heat after the coolant cools down to a normal temp.
The other option on some cars is that the thermostat control itself isn't working properly this would be more likely if the car has a digital thermostat and the control ...
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As @jzd commented, oil pressure should change with engine load.
At idle, your oil pressure is at its lowest, when accelerating it will be at its highest and cruising it should steady out.
Also ambient temperatures effect oil pressure depending on the weight of oil you are using.
Here is an explanation I gave a club member on our forum of a similar ...
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You see, the problem with runnning with straight coolant--a don't know how that fad got started in the previous century--is that coolant has relatively little heat capacity; whereas water has very much (near tops) heat capacity--for which reason, the main coolant during summer driving is water, not antifreeze. The main purpose of commercial ...
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The hissing might be a vacuum leak, have your mechanic look into that.
When car runs hot or gets close to overheating, it is extra taxing on several parts of the engine and cooling system. There could be gasket that is leaking or a water pump that is close to failing, or you could just have a bad thermostat, but it sounds like the problem might be worse.
...
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Have you replaced the thermostat and or the coolant temperature sensor. I have had a car which I thought was overheating have a bad coolant temperature sensor and there was actually nothing wrong with it. If that doesn't fix it I would replace the thermostat which is cheap and easy in most cars.
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I had a similar problem on 2 vehicles, a 03 mustang and a 99 bonneville. When the car would come to a stop light the engine would idle too low and stall out. The problem (in both cases) was the mass air flow sensor. Its a piece of electronics that determines the amount of air to let in to the engine from the throttle based on inputs. You could test it by ...
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Go around to some local shops and put their estimates against each other (openly) to drive the price down. There are a lot of "universal" pieces that can be used in exhaust repairs. I had everything (converter to the tail) replaced in my old Corsica (10 years ago maybe) for around $100. Of course this was no high end exhaust, but it was a Corsica. ;) Lasted ...
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No idea if this works on a 2009, but it's worth a shot. The programming procedure on some GM vehicles (2006 Cobalt at least) requires a GM Tech 2, which is highly annoying. Hopefully linked song and dance works for yours.
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You may have two problems.
Even with the cooling fans running all of the time, the engine thermostat should force the engine to warm up at a normal speed. The thermostat will regulate the coolant to the radiator/fans if it is working properly.
It can be normal for the cooling fans to run constantly under certain conditions. If the car is hot enough, they ...
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On some cars, the cooling fans have their own thermostats or are triggered by coolant temp readings on your ECU.
While you don't want your motor to overheat, you want it reaching operating temperature quickly as this is where your motor is most efficient - e.g. lower emissions, better mileage.
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