Just got a 1994 Firebird Formual a few weeks ago. It has been running perfect until this morning. I took it for a drive and it ran fine, i took it on the highway at about 90 miles per hour and it felt fine.

After i got off the highway i noticed it was running weird. Im not a big technical info guy so i'll just explain how it is riding now.

Known problems are:
Car has an exhaust leak that im about to get taken care of
Car has had recent engine head repair work done

While at idle, it has a "mini shaking in the car"

While accelerating from a stop, it feels like the engine is weak so i have to press the gas pedal harder to make it go, the car shakes slightly while i do this.

Once i hit about 40 miles per hour, the problem isnt as noticable, probably because the car isnt straining to stay at 40mph as it is to get to 40mph. Car starts right up every time. No check engine lights or any dummy lights at all.

Teh cars engine is still under warranty from the stealership wher i bought it so hopefully its nothing at all or its the engine failing and i'll make them fix it. What do u guys think.

 

Did they replace the engine? I'm surprised a dealership would warranty a 14 year old car.

 

Yea i was suprised they warrantied it for a month too. Thats why i bought it instead of other cars i saw. The work that was done is as follows. Some of it is hard to read. Looks like they paid over 1300 bucks to get it fixed.

"Remove & replace 2 cylinder heads

R*lon 2 Cyl Heads & check all valves 525.00

head gasket set 256.42

install new water pump thermostat & anti*** 145.57

Water Pipe Bolt & S*** for head 14.27

Oil change 19.00

Labor 400.00

Total 1345.26"

 

I would take it back to the dealership, immediately. If it messed up that fast, it's on them.

 

Agreed. People here could probably help you diagnose it eventually, but if you have a 1 month warranty... don't let it go to waste. Take it back ASAP, and let them fix it, because your car shouldn't be acting like that.

 

probably gonna have my mechanic diagnose it quick tomorrow. if there is any hint of engine problem, i'll bring it back. Does this sound like a compression issue? Just want to make sure since only the engine is covered.

 

It sounds like quite a few things. Low power, missfires, sputtering. That just opens a big bag of worms. Which items are NOT covered? You need to get that thing back.

 

anything to do with the engine they will fix but they wont repair the transmission & other stuff unless it deals directly with the engine. Definitely gonna have my mech. friend diagnose it and bring it back to the stealership with a list of stuff to fix. I wish it was completely messed up so they had to fix everything.

 

sounds like its in the ballpark of clogged fuel injectors but who knows. take it back to them and have a slight attitude so they wont try to **** you over

 

Heres another vote for taking it back to the dealership. Don't wait, do it now before something really crappy happens, and they try and blame you.

 

Well, my mechanic checked it out pretty well today. I might get some of it wrong so bear with me.

Basically he says, it has an exhaust leak from one of the heads, and its getting into the radiator. Its having a big problem with coolant now. He says eventually its going to overheat and the engine will blow. He says they did a bad job when they repaired it originally.

I called the stealership tonight and talked to the sales person. I told him the car is having major engine problems. His response, "What do you want me to do, you bought the car as is, i mean......" I responded with, "actually i bought the car with a one month 1000 mile warranty on the engine so it should be covered" He said i have to talk to the sales manager in the morning. What a d**k head. I mean, they are so nice when you are buying the car but couldnt care less once they have the money in their pocket. One way or another, im getting either my money back or my car fixed. Im not gonna roll over for some dirt bag car salesmen a-holes. Aint gonna happen.

What is my recourse if they try and stiff me?? Do i go to small claims court or what?? Also, if they do fix it, do i get another warranty or is it basically i have 8 more days whether or not it gets fixed right? Thanks for all your help once again guys and i'll keep you posted.

 

I talked to the sales mgr and he is taking care of me. I am to take my car back to the person they had repair the engine originally and he will fix it again at no charge. Im going to see how long the warranty is on his work this time around and if it is through maroone or directly with me. If they wont warranty the work for over a month, im going to sell the car because i cant make this a habbit. Im just going to have my mechanic print out a sheet saying everything that is wrong and what needs to be fixed. Hopefully he will do a good job this time since he knows another mechanic will be looking at the work and so he wont have to keep spending the time fixing my car over and over.

The sales manager told me when i bought the car that i had a 1 month warranty through maroone and that is in writing. But if there was a problem after one month and after 1000 miles, i could call him up and he would make the guy warranty his work for me. I think it was up to 12000 miles on his work and one year. I just got worried because that agreement was not in writing but everything seems to be working out. I have a new found trust in car salesmen. Im bringing the car to the mechanic tomorrow most likely.

Thanks for all your help guys and i'll keep you posted.