harrydunn Posted October 20, 2008 Report Share Posted October 20, 2008 Hey guys-- I have not posted since late 2005 when I started driving a 2000 Pontiac Bonneville that I inherited. I sadly sold my '96 Cutlass to a friend. It is still running strong at 170k miles. Long story short--I'm looking to return to a '96 or '97 Cutlass as it was flat-out the best car I've owned. The Bonneville has given me a lot of problems. It only had 13K miles when I got it and now has 51K. It's going to take some patience to find a low mile '96 or '97 but I've got time. I've already located a '96 with only 26K miles if you can believe that. It was already sold when I called about it of course. Found an 80K-mile '97 that has been taken care of as well. One of the big problems with the Bonneville is an annoying highway vibration that is caused by something in the suspension. It's not the tires/wheels or a balance issue. GM even has a TSB out on it but their "fix" doesn't solve it. My Cutlass was very smooth but I'd like to ask you guys to chime in if you are aware of any problem like this in the Cutlass that I have on my Bonneville? Also, can somebody give me a refresher on what to look out for on the '96 and '97 Cutlass with regards to the engine/transmission? Seems I had some top-end work done on my engine right before I hit 100K mile but I can't remember what it was. I'm getting excited about returning to my old frined. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldscsc Posted October 20, 2008 Report Share Posted October 20, 2008 Hey guys-- I have not posted since late 2005 when I started driving a 2000 Pontiac Bonneville that I inherited. I sadly sold my '96 Cutlass to a friend. It is still running strong at 170k miles. Long story short--I'm looking to return to a '96 or '97 Cutlass as it was flat-out the best car I've owned. The Bonneville has given me a lot of problems. It only had 13K miles when I got it and now has 51K. It's going to take some patience to find a low mile '96 or '97 but I've got time. I've already located a '96 with only 26K miles if you can believe that. It was already sold when I called about it of course. Found an 80K-mile '97 that has been taken care of as well. One of the big problems with the Bonneville is an annoying highway vibration that is caused by something in the suspension. It's not the tires/wheels or a balance issue. GM even has a TSB out on it but their "fix" doesn't solve it. My Cutlass was very smooth but I'd like to ask you guys to chime in if you are aware of any problem like this in the Cutlass that I have on my Bonneville? Also, can somebody give me a refresher on what to look out for on the '96 and '97 Cutlass with regards to the engine/transmission? Seems I had some top-end work done on my engine right before I hit 100K mile but I can't remember what it was. I'm getting excited about returning to my old frined. Thanks! 3100 is a reliable engine overall, just blows gaskets more than other engines a lot of times. The 3100 was base. The DOHC was available (only in '96, discontinued after that) which will make for a more "energetic" ride. More power, not to mention the upgraded suspension. '96 will only have the lip spoiler and tails if equipped with the DOHC, and they were standard in '97. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManicMechanic Posted October 20, 2008 Report Share Posted October 20, 2008 That 26K car was on ebay recently... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
95 vert Posted October 20, 2008 Report Share Posted October 20, 2008 I had two Bonnevilles with that problem. Vibration would come and go-not speed related,heat,tires,hub/bearing or strut. I really think it had to do with the steering rack but ended up selling both before trying it out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldscsc Posted October 20, 2008 Report Share Posted October 20, 2008 I had two Bonnevilles with that problem. Vibration would come and go-not speed related,heat,tires,hub/bearing or strut. I really think it had to do with the steering rack but ended up selling both before trying it out. On my mom's 03, there was something with the column that went wrong. Something internal, can't remember at the moment but it was fixed once under warranty. They told us that GM was replacing them one time but they still don't have the problem worked out. We were told to expect the problem come back. And it did--they wouldn't replace it again since they STILL didn't have the problem resolved Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1990lumina Posted October 20, 2008 Report Share Posted October 20, 2008 I thought Slick had an issue with vibration too but ended up finding the problem and fixing it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slick Posted October 20, 2008 Report Share Posted October 20, 2008 Yep, had an issue with vibration. New CV joint and wheel bearing fixed it right up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Posted October 20, 2008 Report Share Posted October 20, 2008 welcome back. the top end work you had done was likely the LIM gaskets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harrydunn Posted October 20, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2008 the top end work you had done was likely the LIM gaskets. This sounds right. This would be be a good question to ask the owner of the 80K mile '97 I found--to see if he has had the LIM replaced. If not, what's the bill on this repair? It's got to be fairly pricey, labor-wise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Night Fury Posted October 20, 2008 Report Share Posted October 20, 2008 Welcome back!! I am in the exact same market as you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Posted October 20, 2008 Report Share Posted October 20, 2008 the top end work you had done was likely the LIM gaskets. This sounds right. This would be be a good question to ask the owner of the 80K mile '97 I found--to see if he has had the LIM replaced. If not, what's the bill on this repair? It's got to be fairly pricey, labor-wise. ohh, ive done them myself, but i could see a shop charging for 3 hours labor for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slick Posted October 21, 2008 Report Share Posted October 21, 2008 the top end work you had done was likely the LIM gaskets. This sounds right. This would be be a good question to ask the owner of the 80K mile '97 I found--to see if he has had the LIM replaced. If not, what's the bill on this repair? It's got to be fairly pricey, labor-wise. ohh, ive done them myself, but i could see a shop charging for 3 hours labor for it. Book is more than twice what you said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5speedz34 Posted October 21, 2008 Report Share Posted October 21, 2008 Werd up to what Chris said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harrydunn Posted October 26, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 26, 2008 Thanks for the responses. Also, could someone give me a run-down on the difference powertrain-wise between the '95 and '96 model years? Same exact engine from '95 to '97? Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldscsc Posted October 26, 2008 Report Share Posted October 26, 2008 Thanks for the responses. Also, could someone give me a run-down on the difference powertrain-wise between the '95 and '96 model years? Same exact engine from '95 to '97? Thanks. Well, '95-97 all had the 3100 as their standard mill. The 3.4 DOHC was optional in '95 and '96. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManicMechanic Posted October 26, 2008 Report Share Posted October 26, 2008 1995 was also a half breed OBD wise...But 1996-97 were OBD II. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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