my 1992 pontiac grand am is having running issues?

  • Thread starter Thread starter bornintheUSA_91
  • Start date Start date
B

bornintheUSA_91

Guest
okay just bought this car used. well it drove fine on the 100 mile trip home. but now when you go to give it gas it sputters, and sometimes dies. well last night, i couldnt give it gas without dying. we changed the fuel filter, with no luck. some people said that it might be a fuel pump while others said the spark plugs. i am not very mechanical inclined and need some help. it doesnt help that im 16 and this is my very first car. can some one give me what they think it might be, and estimated amount of labor and cost of parts. thanks (btw its not me whos going to fix it lol, ill take it somewhere, but i need to tell them what to fix)
btw....the previous owner let it set w/o being ran for 6 months. paid $700 for it
 
What I would do - from cheapest to most expensive

Change the spark plugs (routine maintenance anyway). This would cost $20 to do it yourself (5 for parts, 15 for tools, and assuming you have a manual for the car).. maybe $50 or $70 if you paid someone to do it.

Change air filter (you routine maintenance, it will help the fuel delivery system also), $5 if you diy, $20 or more if you pay to have it done.

If none of this fixes the problem, it is most likely a fuel pump issue, IMO. I believe a 92 pontiac has an in-tank fuel pump. It will cost roughly $100 for the pump, and anywhere from $200 to $500 for labor. You should also go ahead and replace the fuel filter again while you're down there, so another $20 for the part and $50 for the labor.

Do the cheap things first!

I'd also recommend learning how to change your spark plugs and air filter by yourself. Like I said, you can either pay someone $100 to do both of these things, or pay $20 for the parts and pay yourself $80 to learn how to do them. These are both really, really, easy fixes (especially the air filter).. Worth your while to learn them.

Leave the fuel filter/pump to a professional. Gasoline is dangerous. Good luck.
 
I hope you didn't pay more than $500 for that. I had a 93 grand am for 4 years and sold it last year, it was chunk, you prolly got mine.
 
Back
Top