Looking at '99 Olds Alero (3.4 V6, auto) good/bad?

[wagsg]

I am helping my daughter's boyfriend find a car and found a '99 Olds Alero - 3.4 V6 and auto - with 129K miles. The car is in good condition with mostly highway miles and I think we could get them to a very reasonable price.

All fluids appear good and inspection through the valve cover shows no visual signs of build up/sludge. It drives well and shifts fine although there is a vibration noise from the front right wheel (balance or wheel bearing?). I do plan on running a double treatment of A-Rx on anything we find him, changing all fluids and filters, and possibly new plugs and wires.

Does anyone have experience to share about these vehicles, particularly the engines and transmissions? I haven't found a great deal of info, but nothing to send me runnining away yet.

Thanks in advance for any info you might be able to share!!!

 

[cousincletus]

The trasmissions and CV driveshafts are among the best in the business. I think your engine may have had issues with the intake manifold gasket, which is a minor problem and a straightforward DIY job unless ignored. Check to see if it has a plastic or aluminum manifold. The plastic ones were the ones they had problems with.

 

[daman]

I agree,vary good car, just keep and eye on the LIM gasket it will go sooner or later, easy to replace i've done 4 of them. they run forever.

 

[G-MAN]

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The trasmissions and CV driveshafts are among the best in the business. I think your engine may have had issues with the intake manifold gasket, which is a minor problem and a straightforward DIY job unless ignored. Check to see if it has a plastic or aluminum manifold. The plastic ones were the ones they had problems with.

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You're thinking about the 3.8. The 3.4 always had an aluminum intake, and it had leaking problems too. (I know from firsthand experience.)

The 3.4 is a good engine, but if the intake manifold gasket hasn't been replaced, it will need it because it WILL leak eventually. And a leak can trash the engine in less than an oil change interval.

 

[dwendt44]

With 129K on it, wouldn't the gasket have been replaced already?
Any way of getting the service records for it? Who knows if and or how many times the trans. fluid has been changed,].

 

[G-MAN]

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With 129K on it, wouldn't the gasket have been replaced already?

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Possibly, but I wouldn't count on it.

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There's no such thing as:
To big of a battery,
To large gas tank,
or a to loud horn.

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You're absolutely right. "Big," "large," and "loud" aren't verbs.

 

[WalterMitty]

Quote:

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Quote:

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With 129K on it, wouldn't the gasket have been replaced already?

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Possibly, but I wouldn't count on it.

Quote:

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There's no such thing as:
To big of a battery,
To large gas tank,
or a to loud horn.

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You're absolutely right. "Big," "large," and "loud" aren't verbs.

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You aren't gonna ding him for using a preposition in place of an adverb as well? To wit:

Too big

Too large

Too loud

 

[G-MAN]

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Quote:

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Quote:

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With 129K on it, wouldn't the gasket have been replaced already?

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Possibly, but I wouldn't count on it.

Quote:

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--------------------
There's no such thing as:
To big of a battery,
To large gas tank,
or a to loud horn.

---

You're absolutely right. "Big," "large," and "loud" aren't verbs.

---

You aren't gonna ding him for using a preposition in place of an adverb as well? To wit:

Too big

Too large

Too loud

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Actually, in the infinitive verb form (which is what I was referring to), "to" isn't a prepsoition, it's merely a particle.

 

[m2200b]

The most common reason people sell these GM V6 is they have a coolant leaker and don't want the expense. You need a mechanic inspection or a recent receipt for that repair, or lower your offer by the $800 repair.

 

[wagsg]

Thanks for the info so far... and the grammar lesson.

If I'm understanding everyone correctly, the intake manifold is a concern. Otherwise there are no major problems (typically) with either the motor or transmission. I plan on asking for service records and taking it to my mechanic for an inspection prior to any serious negotiating. Regardless, I would make sure all fluids are changed in the first few months.

This appears to be a good car, but I'm a little gun shy on GM's after my experience with a '90 Grand Prix and the infamous Quad 4 motor. What a piece of ****!

 

[cousincletus]

^^^ The quad 4 was a bad engine, but the Ecotec replacement is very good. Maybe you could look for a 2002 up Alero or similar GM with the Ecotec engine. If you have good oil pressure and compression, I would just get the one you're looking at. You'll see the change in the coolant reservoir if you check it once a week when fueling. That should give you plenty of advance notice if you're having gasket issues. Like I said before, it's a straightforward DIY repair if you do your own work.