Some Advice Please?

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Ohio_Rockstar

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I have a 2002 year end (2003) Pontiac Montana, its AWD.
It has 138,940 on her.

I bought her two and a half years ago for $3200.
This thing had one previous owner and she used it as a Yoder-Toter. (She hauled the Amish to stores and what not).

She was my buddy haul'in late night summer fishing trip vehicle.

Okay enter my denial:
And this winter in Ohio we had -20+ temps. One day the wifey was taking her to work and she decided to not put out heat. Well I thought it was the thermostat again. (I replaced it when I first got the van.)

I replaced the thermostat. Then I got a coolant flush at Valvoline.

They burped the engine. Then I noticed I still wasn't getting any heat.

Then I noticed when I accelerated the gauge would fluctuate and then drop to normal and then Id get heat.

Well I replaced the ETI(?). The little spark-plug-like thermal sensor that goes into the thermostat housing.

Then I burped the engine. On a steep hill. At a very insane incline.
Then I talked to a few people. They said it might be the water pump wasn't working. I replaced (even though it wasn't broken.)

Took it to my cousins shop. She and her husband scanned it for me and determined I had some kind of head/head-gasket/possible manifold/manifold gasket related problem; along with transmission errors.

To break it down.
I have replaced:

Water Pump.
Power steering Pump.
ETI sensor
Thermostat.
Blower Fan resistor fuse.
All 4 tires.
Breaks are new this year as well.

Here are the codes she's throwing:

C1216 EBCM Command Pressure Release 2 Long

C1224 Right Rear Speed Sensor No Signal

C1228 Right Rear Speed Sensor Signal Erratic

C1234 Left Rear Speed Sensor Circuit Open/Short

C1235 Right Rear Speed Sensor Circuit Open/Short

C1236 Low System Supply Voltage

C1237 High System Supply Voltage

P1811 Maximum Adapt & Long Shift

One of my rear CV boots is broken.

Anti-freeze-Lower Intake leaking

Differential needs servicing.

Power steering has a rack leak.

Rack and Pinion has leaking seals.

Valve cover Gaskets need replaced.
ABS is On, AWD disabled.

Now you guys tell me what would you do?
I have a little less then $4k to work with.

Should I do the gaskets myself and hunt down the ABS problems?
What about the transmission?

None of these problems hit us until we had the deep freeze.
No garage.
I know nothing of transmissions.

I am just a novice backyard/shade-tree mechanic.

Should I scrap her and get something else?

You guys tell me what you would do?

Thank you in advance.
 
Wow that is a long list of problems but, if ur tranny is not slipping I wouldn't worry about that and the speed sensor may fix ur abs and awd , but the main problem/cost is the head/lim gasket. If u can do that ur self then I think the van is worth saving. is body and paint in good shape? U can also add a liquid sealing gasket solution for a cheap fix, look at my head gasket post.
 
Okay. I think I will do the gaskets and get the heads shaved then.
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looking at www.edmunds.com with the mileage and condition it is in do not sink too much money into it, anything over 1k forget it.
 
I replaced the Radiator cap with a pressure release style one. No green coolant until after the flush.

I'm still debating on doing the job myself , getting a second quote or scrapping her. The shop also did a block test and there was exhaust fumes in the oil?

I dont know what would cause that?
 
It's probably caused by normal blowby. Exhaust in the coolant is what determines a head gasket or lower intake manifolfd leak.
 
Necro bump!

Yeah I bumped the thread, its mine and Im in the process of discovery!

Okay so I have the plenum off and am down to the heads, I'm stuck with her on ramps and two exhaust manifold bolts that wont budge even after liquid wrench and WD-40..

Im still curious about what I may have drilled into.
Did it cause the overheating problems?
There is no coolant in the heads, but I did in fact have a cracked LIM. (it was OEM, I tracked the number on the gasket via google.)

Im now in the process of getting the heads and exhaust manifolds off in one piece and taking the heads in to get them pressure tested and possibly shaven.
I WILL MAKE THIS B**CH RUN AGAIN.

I am very determined!
Anyhow,
What is this hole for!?!?

I drilled here one night after a few beers and convincing myself the tension er pulley wasnt fitting properly..what the hell did I drill out?
https://d1xgzwxxnblcdc.cloudfront.net/uploads//gallery/album_43/gallery_2385_43_133527.gif
 
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Help! (please)

I know I am reviving an old thread, but it is totally relevant.

So I took the heads off, (took my time) And got them to the local Machine shop. Both heads are cracked and the guy doesnt/can't do a reman job because the pins he has are junk from china?? IDK? What should I do with this thing? I mean Its ready for new or remanned heads and then gaskets and fluid and a start-up. I just want to do it right ya know..

What would be your next move?
 
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Goto dover heads on the Internet, they will provide you with reman heads and will give you core charge back even though yours are cracked. They will provide you with bolts gaskets and specs and instructions if needed. There heads are tested and prices are reasonable. You can also goto rockauto. Good luck keep us posted.
 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/3-1-3-4-GM-...LTS-/271941667491?vxp=mtr&hash=item3f50fc8aa3
Another recommendation is J and C interprises. I have 4500 miles on the set I bought back in July and no problems so far. If you order from them call to make sure you are getting the correct part. They asked me to verify the casting number on the head.
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I take it you got the new heads? I have used that Fel-Pro set in 2 3400s now; you'll see my review from August 30 2013 in fact. Good luck ask more questions if you have them.
 
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