2000 Pontiac Grandprix Head Gasket Symptoms

Question

What are the signs of a bursted head gasket in a 2000 Pontiac Grandprix?

My car has the following symptoms:

Quickly overheats.

No visible sign of any leakage but coolant dries up quickly than it should.

Rugged shifting when the car is driven for one hour non-stop (overheating, obviously)

And the low coolant sign appears sometimes, especially in the morning after starting the car.

Answer 1

Your radiator is bad. The transmission fluid needs to be cooled so it is run through the radiator. There is a hole some where inside the radiator and coolant is going into the transmission. Get the radiator replaced and the engine and transmission flushed. This will be a costly repair, but cheaper now than later.

Answer 2

Hello, I'm Mark- I have worked on cars for most of my life so maybe I can help you out. First thing you can do is crank the car on a really warm day, once the car is at running temperature, have someone stand at the rear of the car while you rev the engine-(with the car in park of course). and have the person behind the car watch for steam exiting the exhaust. If this happens, you have a blown headgasket- meaning- the water circulating through the cyclinder head is leaking into the actual cyclinder and being burned with the fuel and air that makes the engine run. So, if you see the steam coming out of the exhaust, guess what? That's one way, another way you can tell is if you look under the hood where the overflow container is for your radiator, (make sure there is water or antifreeze in the container, normally it will be about 3/4 full. Do this before you even start the vehical. Again when it gets to running temp, look into the overflow container and look for bubbles in the water or antifreeze, if you see any well guess what? A blown headgasket. If this does not work out for you let me know, kinda intrested in seeing the results. Goddluck!

Answer 3

the car will idle like c**p.  Right off.  Coolant could be leaking past the hose clamps(the weakest point), then past the water pump seal.   Then closely inspect the rad for white or greenish areas near the tanks.

       Always make sure coolant is up to snuff before starting the car in the morning.

Rugged shifting may be a seperate transmission problem(nothing to do with coolant).

   The thermostat may be faulty and could be the problem causing the overheating.

Head gasket is the last place I would look because it is not a problem area.

Answer 4

I had a 1997 Oldsmobile Aurora my first car.  I had this same problem.  Start the car and let it run for about 5 minutes, then go behind the car and smell.  If you smell something sweet it's your antifreeze escaping from your exhaust.  Next go to your local mechanic, I would prefer going to the local Pontiac Dealer, ask them for coolant pressure check.  Which usually takes thirty minutes max, they can tell you right then if you head is cracked.  If it is get rid of the vehicle, if not fix it.  

Answer 5

You know Amy, I am not a mechanic at all, but I have had my fair share of vehicle troubles and overheating is one of them.  While a cracked head may be an issue, I would first have your thermostat checked.  Could be bad, that is a cheap fix.  Thermostats are about $10 bucks, then I would check your radiator, make sure you have adequate flow, have it flushed, then go from there.  I have drove junk all my life, thankfully though,  I  have a mechanically talented husband and son, so my best too you.  It maybe just a problem with your radiator.  Your vehicle is looking at going on 9 yr. old and that is about the time they can go bad and need replaced or re-cored.  I hope it works out for you and not very costly, good luck