webxfx Posted October 28, 2008 Report Share Posted October 28, 2008 Hey everyone, this is my first post - I'm about to buy a 96 GP GT with of course the LQ1, many told me to stay away from this motor but I've always wanted one and came across a very clean low mile car. Just wanting to know if you guys have some tips on what to look for, on things that might be wrong - From just running it can you tell if the timing belt is streched? or should i take the cover off? is it just like a normal belt - look for cracks / missing teeth... thanks in advance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xtremerevolution Posted October 28, 2008 Report Share Posted October 28, 2008 Hey everyone, this is my first post - I'm about to buy a 96 GP GT with of course the LQ1, many told me to stay away from this motor but I've always wanted one and came across a very clean low mile car. Just wanting to know if you guys have some tips on what to look for, on things that might be wrong - From just running it can you tell if the timing belt is streched? or should i take the cover off? is it just like a normal belt - look for cracks / missing teeth... thanks in advance Mind if I ask how many miles you'd consider to be low miles? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuminaPower92 Posted October 28, 2008 Report Share Posted October 28, 2008 definitely the belt, if it has 60 - 80k miles on her for sure. Other then the belt, alternators can be a nightmare to some, intake gaskets are a snap. Have you driven it? Got some pictures as well as more info? BTW if Im not mistaken, 96 has the new rear calipers so that sweet! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White93z34 Posted October 28, 2008 Report Share Posted October 28, 2008 lets see here. better question is how willing are you to do your own work? despite what many will say it is a good engine, it just needs to be maintained. from it just running you will not be able to tell how the timing belt is. bring a 8mm socket and ratchet and pop the cover off and take a look. look for hairs, cracks the belt being off center. few good things about a 96 is that it has cam cogs that are better for overall belt wear, improved intake manifolds. few downsides are, that a 96 engine is interference, so if the belt goes you have a high probability of smashing valves. and you have to remove the upper intake to change the rear spark plugs. if the seller has any maintenance records that would be a large plus. oh yeah, and the alternator is kinda a pain to change. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webxfx Posted October 28, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 28, 2008 116k miles, I have not driven it yet, its about 300 miles from home, going to go see it in a couple of days. with that might milage should the timing belt be shot? what if i think it looks good - is there a chance it just lasted or maybe its been replaced - problem is its at a dealer so I can't talk to the old owner. Have been trying to call GM dealers in the area to see if they have any record of that VIN being in for services Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White93z34 Posted October 28, 2008 Report Share Posted October 28, 2008 at 116k it has most likely had it changed at some point. I have heard of and seen belts go that long before. sooo i would try and find any service records that you can, check the belt and hope for the best also as the belt ages so do the other components, when my timing let go it was the belt tensioner that finally broke and not the belt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
9lumina6 Posted October 28, 2008 Report Share Posted October 28, 2008 Make sure u take a look under the car too.....and see if theres alot of oil residue.......The Pump Shaft O-ring goes on those motors (mine is shot on my 95 Z-34....and spits out about a quart every month). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pontiacmaniac94 Posted October 28, 2008 Report Share Posted October 28, 2008 at 116k it has most likely had it changed at some point. I have heard of and seen belts go that long before. sooo i would try and find any service records that you can, check the belt and hope for the best also as the belt ages so do the other components, when my timing let go it was the belt tensioner that finally broke and not the belt. but you never know, alphagtp on here has a 94 GTP with the factory original belt with 180K miles on her......still runs.....i think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuminaPower92 Posted October 29, 2008 Report Share Posted October 29, 2008 at 116k it has most likely had it changed at some point. I have heard of and seen belts go that long before. sooo i would try and find any service records that you can, check the belt and hope for the best also as the belt ages so do the other components, when my timing let go it was the belt tensioner that finally broke and not the belt. Yeah the tech that helped me, said everytime one of those motors came in with a timing belt job, they would replace everthing. TO be sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GP1138 Posted November 2, 2008 Report Share Posted November 2, 2008 Check the underside as well, 9 times out of 10 the oil pump drive o-ring will be leaking, if it hasn't been fixed yet. It's just a characteristic of these motors. I like to think of it as a feature, oil change every month whether it needs it or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
9lumina6 Posted November 2, 2008 Report Share Posted November 2, 2008 oil change every month whether it needs it or not. Amen to that one. I dont see it really as worth it to try to fix that leak.......since ive got over 160K on my LQ1 now.......I just change the oil every month and a half and jack the car up b4 a big rain storm is comen and spray the shit out of everything under there w/ de-greaser.... and let mother nature wash it away lmao. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5speedz34 Posted November 3, 2008 Report Share Posted November 3, 2008 These motor's where pretty damn reliable when they first came out but they get a bad wrap in the service world. My car sat for 8 months and I pulled out a sliver of metal that had to be part of crankshaft bearing. I run synthetic, the car doesn't knock and runs amazing for 197k miles! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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