4th May 2006, 16:35

The 3.1L is also known to be one of GM's most durable engines.

4th May 2006, 20:48

I agree that you should get a second opinion. Something sounds a little fishy. The only experience with the 3.1L engine was an Olds Achieve that my father-in-law had and that engine run until the day he gave it to a poor student. It had about 150K miles. I have owned a 1997 Grand Prix, but it had the 3.8L engine. I liked that car. Life is always good when you know the Truth.

9th Jul 2006, 22:44

ALWAYS get more than one opinion when someone tells you you need expensive repairs. They probably just want your money. I'm reminded of the time I went to a new dentist. He examined my teeth and said "Looks like you'll need about $4000 worth of work there." I said "But my insurance only covers HALF of the bill!!" He said "Oh, in that case I can fix you up for about $300." I found another dentist REAL QUICK. Find a reputable mechanic you can trust. That engine is one of the most reliable V-6's made. It is most likely good for ANOTHER 100,000 miles.

10th Jul 2006, 17:45

I have a 2001 grand am. I love this car. It only has 62,000 miles on it, and last month my head gasket went I put new one in, ran great for a while. Then last week it would not start. We put new fuel pump in thinking that was it. It wasn't. Now it might be the computer. I really love this so much. But everyone keeps telling me to junk it I won't. So what is it that gives these cars a bad rap? Why do they have so much problems? I know a lot of people who have these cars with a lot of problems.What's the deal? Thank-You.

11th Jul 2006, 13:59

I have a 2001 grand am SE. Not too many problems with it. It started to make a ticking noise in the motor. I've been told that's the rockers making that noise and not to worry. but these car are noted for there problems.

17th Jul 2006, 17:33

I just dumped off a 2001 Grand Prix SE with the 3.1 engine.

Let me tell you, it was the worst car I have ever owned, and it only had 40,000 miles on it.

I had to replace my transmission within the first 3,000 miles of owning it, driven normally and also the EGR valve.

This car was a huge let down, so I traded it in for a 2002 Dodge Intrepid with a 3.5 engine with more miles, and have never had a problem yet.

21st Jul 2006, 09:56

Hi. Bob from Ohio here. I also have a Grand Prix. It's a 1999 GTP. This car is the biggest piece of junk I've ever owned. I bought it in 2004 used with 63,000 miles on it at the time. Now it has 86,000 miles on it and look out, everything is starting to fall apart. The door panels are all coming off. The engine sounds like someone put about 100 bb's in it. The ABS/ TCS light is on. The brakes are bad. The suspension is shot. All the pulley's went bad and were replaced. The AC is starting to go. It burns/ leaks oil. It's in the shop right now. Had a big puddle of coolant under it. The cruise control quit working. I’m sure there’s more, but I can’t sit here and type all day.

I would tell anyone whom will listen, quit buying these American made cars until they realize people want cars that aren't disposable. I'm not going to buy another American made care for as long as I live. This is the last straw.

Maybe someone from GM will read this and offer to give me a new for my problems.

I had a 1994 Mercury Cougar that was built better than this car and had fewer problems.

Go buy a Honda or a Toyota.

Thanks

Bob Stevens.

2nd Aug 2006, 01:00

I think the most important thing to note is that every person that had a problem with their car bought it used. With that in mind, any engine that has been in even the smallest of accidents WILL have a problem. Every first owner who keeps the oil changed and keeps up with regular maintnance will be able to drive a 3.1 V6 for at least 100000 miles.

3rd Aug 2006, 00:20

Coming from Ohio you should buy a Honda, because at least 50 percent of it came from Ohio soil; Jeep, they build em there too; Ford Econoline, not as pretty as the Jeep, but durable; Chevy Colbalt, I think they are built in northeastern Ohio, they'll getcha from point A to point B.

11th Jan 2007, 00:33

To Bob from Ohio...

Maybe you should try changing the oil from time to time, including the filter...

If you think a foreign car can go without maintenance, you are sadly mistaken...

It's not the car, but the person who neglects taking care of it, there is the responsible party; laziness is no excuse for engine failure!

13th Jan 2007, 09:46

I agree with these guys. The reason you people keep having problems with your cars is you slack off with the preventative maintance. When I bought my 99 Grand Prix GTP in 2004, I changed everything. Plugs, wires, fuel filter, air filter, brakes, all fluids and even had the cooling system powerflushed. No problems yet accept that $30 sensor a year ago. I drive the car pretty hard too. No car will run forever on stock parts. Not even Hondas.

Want to know why cop cars last as long as they do despite that the cops gun it at every light? It's because every 3000 miles when those cars get an oil change, they get a complete tune up. New breaks fluids and filters. my uncle is a mechanic for the fire and police dept.

- Ken, Michigan.

13th Jan 2007, 13:01

Explain then why my friend's Ford Focus had over 20 problems, including TWICE having the cabin flooded, when he followed EVERY maintenance procedure and mileage recommendation in the book. The last straw was when his ignition simply disintegrated and the car had to be towed to the dealership. But, according to your logic, he simply wasn't starting his car correctly. Please.

Your theory is meaningless.

20th Feb 2007, 18:07

Hi, I'm the original poster, and I'm back for more problems with the car. Now it's guess what, the transmission.

I ended up changing the engine, because I had to move to another place, and I could not afford the hassle of checking other places, and also because I was stupid and did not check back on time. :)

But now my problem is this:

I have a 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix 3.1 Liter.

I took it to a lubrication place to change the oil and filter, and then they suggested me to do an automatic transmission fluid change (with pan), which I accepted.

Now about 3 weeks after the automatic transmission fluid change, my car first started showing a "change oil" light on, and now it is leaking pretty, pretty bad transmission oil all over the place.

I took the car back to the lubrication place, and they say they don't know what's happening, because all they did as change the automatic transmission fluid, and that they are not mechanics, and suggested to me to take the car to a mechanic as soon as possible.

So I took the car to a GM service right away, and the GM guys said they would have to first take out the transmission pan to check it (will cost $200,00).

After taking the transmission pan out, GM says now that something is spilling the fluid all over the place, and something is forcing the fluid out of the transmission.

But to see what is doing that, they say they will have to take the whole transmission down to see what's wrong, and they think it might be transmission failure (just to take the transmission apart it will cost me $650.00).

So what should I do? I am a girl and know nothing about cars.

Before the automatic transmission fluid change, the car never had any leak at all.

But I did notice for quite some time now, that my car usually starts jerking when it slows down to about second gear speed, and that's especially when the car warms up, that is, there is an engine (or transmission) jerking after shifting, particularly when the car is hot.

Thanks in advance, please help as soon as possible, because my car is there, and I don't know what to do.