1995 Pontiac Grand Am vacuum leak or timing?????HELP!!!!?

[echos_passion]

have a 1995 Pontiac Grand Am 2.3 Quad , 160,000 miles. Took car to mechanic b/c car lost power on aceleration and is idling super rough, plus needed started. Fixed starter, now he is telling me the idle and acceleration is due to pressure and my intake is blowing instead of sucking in, that part I buy, but he is telling me that that it is caused by the timing jumping. To me this sounds like a vacuum leak. I am in Florida from out of state and female. I just want to make sure I'm not being taaken advantage of. There is a cost difference of about $500 between the two problems.

 

[Eddie H]

Get An Other Mechanics Opinion

 

[baldie]

the timing is controled by the computer. check all vacuum hose for breaks.

 

[arglatina23]

well these things can seem similar but not. I actually don't think its either. if the timing is off the car would run like crap. The engine would be shaking and you would be blowing white smoke out your tail pipe. it can be a multiple of things. it could be your spark plugs and wires. that would cause it to run funky. Have you change those. every 80,000 miles you should change those. also the coil pack if there is a crack on the side it would cause your engine to seem to be off on timing. I think your mechanic is trying to take advantage of you. I am a female myself but I'm lucky to come from a family of mechanics and married one.

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[Zimgxp]

Head Gasket?