icor1031

Please excuse me for posting about V6 here, I thought you'd be the best crowd to ask about firebirds.


I looked at an 01 bird today, v6 m5.
I turned it down, because:



I saw fluid on the power steering hose, and on the engine. I'm unsure what kind of fluid, power or oil? (There's fluid under the mud)

There is significant vibration in the clutch pedal, and stick - when parked. (I was told it's probably u-joint or bearing, and in the latter case could cost up to $300 to replace.)

When I opened the oil fill cap, steam came out. (Is there normally enough water evap to see steam? Is this coolant? The engine was hot.)





Did I make a mistake, are these non-issues?
Thanks.

McGinnis

Leaks are hard to tell without cleaning and looking over carefully. Also if the car has been sitting for any length of time the oil cap will have some steam coming out as the oil warms up. If a head gasket was blown either the oil would look like a milkshake or the engine would run like crap. Vibration in clutch could be bad throw out bearing, warped flywheel, or a worn out clutch that is falling apart. These all can be significant issues, but for the right price could still be a good buy.

icor1031

Would any of those also cause stick vibration, while parked?

Thanks.

McGinnis

If it only does it when parked it can't new the driveshaft or rear end. A bad throw out bearing will make a noise or grind when pushing the clutch. A bad pilot bearing will make noise all the time except when putting pressure on the clutch pedal. If the clutch is fully releasing in neutral it shouldn't be vibrating much at all, are you sure the engine wasn't missing or something making it feel like the shifter or transmission, cause I've driven old trucks where the shifter rattles all over cause the engine is so rough.

icor1031

I did not notice any grinding/noise when pressing the clutch, or noise going away.

No idea if the engine caused it. It didn't seem harsh when I listened from the engine bay.

icor1031

Is this varnish / does it mean it has been overheating?

RevGTO

iTrader: (12)

No that's evaporative sludge from the crankcase. It doesn't mean there's a problem with the motor, but may indicate a lot of short trips in a cold climate where it doesn't burn off.

RockinWs6

I'd stay far away from any 99 up v6 fbody, they are hornet's nests full of problems. GM must have fell on its head before they built them, some of the poorest engineering I've ever seen. NO STEAM is not something you want to see coming out of the oil cap. Don't say you weren't warned, BUY ANYTHING ELSE ANYTHING PLEASE

JOHNNY59

iTrader: (398)

my son has a 99 v6 firebird that he bought when he was 15 and for the last 4 years has had no problems! the car looks and runs great, so your statement is untrue! car is second on the left in the picture.

icor1031

Had it checked by a mechanic, pretty good condition - got it.

icor1031

typedRew

With how cheap V8 cars are(LT1 especially), I just don't understand V6 platform purchases(unless its a clean shell purchase for a swap).

The only reason to own one of these cars is the powertrain, you sacrifice that, you are stuck with an impractical uncomfortable coupe. I don't get it. So many actually good cars out there for (likely) what you paid.

- Drew

Firebrian

Your mechanic now has another car they can service.

But based on what you said initially, I'd have looked for a car not showing any of those concerns. It's not like you can't find them. I don't get the V6 M5 either when V8 M6 is much more in demand and easier to sell.

I didn't see a price listed anywhere.

blackandgold

iTrader: (2)

Because the 6ers are even cheaper. And they can run on unleaded 87. And they're cheaper to insure. And they are cheaper to maintain (to be fair, not that much cheaper to maintain).

The 6's are good cars especially for young drivers. Some people, myself included, just like f-bodies. I bought mine because I like 4th gen f-bodies, the LS1 and T56 were just a bonus.

Firebrian

Don't get me wrong. If someone put a very clean, lower mileage V6 Camaro or Firebird in front of me that was priced right, I'd jump on it. But most of the prices you see for very clean ones are no more than $1K to $2K cheaper than a comparable V8. So many of these were/are daily drivers that few are left in nice condition.

icor1031

LT1 firebirds are ugly.

I got this car for its sexy body, cheap engine/trans, manual trans, etc.

icor1031

The 8s I've seen are $8-12k.

This was $4,100.

icor1031

Fluid was power steering, needs a $20 return line.
Vibration was normal (I'm not used to manual trans).

RevGTO

iTrader: (12)

Enjoy it! Between my two sons we've had 3 3.8 Firebirds - all Y87 cars. My one son's car has had typical f-body issues, same stuff you'd see on V8's. My other son's 97 lasted till 210k until some guy at an oil change place left the radiator cap loose and it overheated. His current 99 had the big issue - blown head gasket on a 60k car. It seems that the original owner may have never changed the Dexcool in 14 years.

He's a process server in San Diego and drives beaucoup miles ... the V6 bird functions like an economy car with style for him.

typedRew

As much as I like LS1's, the LT1 Firebirds are the better looking car. By a country mile.

Enjoy your car.

- Drew