project: 2003 SSEi

[harofreak00]

This popped up on craigslist and I had to snatch it up.

I have a 2003 Pontiac Bonneville SSEI in good shape, I put an engine in 8 months ago with 81k on it, it blew!! when I put the engine in I decided to find another transmission it no has around 90K and seemed to be fine. The car has General HP Altimax tires with about 15K on them. The car is in good plus, no tears, it actually is in pretty good shape, but you be the judge. I just want to wash my hands of it seeming my ex who blew it, and others....doesn't want to pony up for half the motor. (she was driving it)
This car is well worth it in my opinion, I just don't want to deal with it any more. ( I have papers on the transmission and can prove it was the actual miles on it.)

Before I get a ton of emails, yes the motor is shot, number two and four pistons are in pieces. I don't know what caused it but it happened. All of the accessories are in very good working order, that goes for the charger, the battery is less than 6 months old.
I am going to hold pretty close to the price seeming I can part it out and do okay. The suspension was gone through when the cradle was out and what needed to be replaced was replaced. It has a new fuel pump as well There is no broken glass and all the windows and sunroof properly, the radio works fine.

If you act quick, I know where there is a motor out of a 2002. I have a lot of $$$$ into this get me out of it!!! I have a clean clear title. I do not have pics as it is 20 miles away. It is Maroon in color with tan leather.

I drove down there this afternoon and picked it up. The funniest part was I had bought the first engine and tranny that had blown out of this car, so the guy was familiar with me, and that’s why he sold it to me even though there were tons of other people calling and even offering more money (Marty? LOL).

What he didn’t say in the ad is that it has high miles… 210k ouch

The interior is pretty discusting, but I have new carpet and door panels for it, so I’m not worried. The exterior is near mint except for some bubbles under the gas door. It has no hood herpes. I will be fixing it, not parting it. And if you didn’t catch it from the ad, I only paid $1500.

They claim the engine is shot (the owner and mechanic). When I went to pick it up, it was at the guys mechanics shop. I arrived there before the guy, so I was talking with the mechanic about it. He said it was making some noise, so he pulled the spark plugs and #2 and #4 were all messed up. He claimed that since the 3800 is an interference engine, that it ate itself alive. I mentioned to him that it is not an interference engine, but he stuck to his guns claiming he has worked on a lot of GM engine and he knows it is. I didn’t argue. However, this makes me wonder, what is actually wrong with this engine? They claim popped pistons. I’m gonna remove the valve covers and do a compression check before I yank the motor out. Who knows, maybe its fixable. Anyways, onto the pics.



















My biggest concern is, who is going to buy an 03 with 210k on it?

This is what KBB says with that many miles on it:
Excellent $6,130
Good $5,580
Fair $4,880

[Peterg22000]

dispite the miles, I still think its a good score, and an easy flip.

[Blown93SSEi]

I would knowing you flipped it!

Didn't you flip another high mileage car and made some $$$$?

[gonzo4191]

i'd buy a car with high miles from you

[Black Pearl]

Looks like all the options but a sunrooof. Nice score

[Water 97SSEi]

Maybe its just because I'm looking at low resolution photos of the car, but to me that interior, even the driver's seat leather, looks really good for 210K.

[harofreak00]

Looks like all the options but a sunrooof. Nice score

Actually does have the sunroof. You can just barely make it out in the first pic.

Maybe its just because I'm looking at low resolution photos of the car, but to me that interior, even the driver's seat leather, looks really good for 210K.

The seat are amazing for 210k. They are dirty, but no tears or wear. The only major problem with the interior is the carpet and drivers door panel.

[J Wikoff]

If it did pop the pop pistons again, it's possible that pieces from the last one were sitting in the cat, and got sucked back in. It doesn't happen a lot, but it has happened.

[sonoma_zr2]

Looks like all the options but a sunrooof. Nice score

Actually does have the sunroof. You can just barely make it out in the first pic.

Crap, I was actually relieved it didn't have a sunroof so I wouldn't have to agonize over trying to aquire it.

[SSEi95]

I may be in the market for a good clean used SSEi about the time this one is ready to be sold

[JimmyFloyd]

Nice pickup on this one. Depending on where you priced it, i would have considered it with the mileage. Looks to be in relatively good shape, and knowing your work, it'll be a good buy.

[harofreak00]

Just did a compression check to confirm the problem. Yup, its got a problem with #2 & #4.

#1

#3

#5

#2

#4

#6


I really wish I had a borescope to look around in there, but at this point, its going to have to be taken apart regardless. It either does have popped pistons on 2 & 4, or the slight chance that the head gasket blew (very slight).

I'll be removing the rear head to inspect the damage. At this point, I'm thinking instead of dropping a new engine, actually replacing the pistons.

Here is a video of the first startup after the compression test. You’ll notice when it first starts there is a high pitch squeal, which at first I thought was bottom end bearings, but it turned out to just be a bad tensioner pulley. The second startup has the belts removed. It definitely has some major misfiring. My Aeroforce must not work right because it says the misfires are on cylinders 1 & 4, when I know for sure that’s not true.

[viper8907]

I think you might have the compression pictures mixed up, cause it shows 4 and 5 to be low....I'd say get the engine out and see how bad it is, then you can decide which route to take.

You never cease to amaze me with the deals you find. I wish I had more time to take on projects like you do.

[harofreak00]

You're right, my bad. I tested front bank and then rear bank, so 1, 3, 5, 2, 4, 6.

I'll be taking off the rear head before I take it out of the car.

[olblueeyesbonne]

I did call, but didn't make any reference to price. When he said he had someone that had set an appt up for picking it up I figured it was as good as sold and let it be. Thought about it 20 minutes later and wondered if it might be you and that's when I called. I can't believe that car actually lasted that long on Craigslist even with the miles.
I definitely see it as a flipper -sure you might have $1600'ish invested now, but if the block is ok and you can swap two rods with piston's you have laying around (I have some too if need be) an L36 head gasket is plenty good for stock boost (even up to 13lbs from what I've heard) and you can get an L36 head gasket @ O'Reilly's for under $20 and another $25-35 for head bolts... you should have less than $300 on top of the purchase price to get it back on Craigslist for a $4200 starting price for a nice $2G profit.

[viper8907]

A Felpro L67 head gasket is like $22 If I remember right when I bought them for my 99...I'd spend the extra few bucks if it were me. Although Marty is probably right about an L36 being strong enough.

[crzydmnd72]

Wish you would find and part a 88-91 but there probably wouldnt be a lot of action on that lol.

Nice find! I think you will do well on this

[harofreak00]

Wish you would find and part a 88-91 but there probably wouldnt be a lot of action on that lol.

I was gonna scoop this up: viewtopic.php?f=27&t=17498, but the whole reason I didn't was because of the low demand. Sorry.

[crzydmnd72]

Wish you would find and part a 88-91 but there probably wouldnt be a lot of action on that lol.

I was gonna scoop this up: viewtopic.php?f=27&t=17498, but the whole reason I didn't was because of the low demand. Sorry.[/quo

Saw that also, but too far away

[wake]

*dang* haro...another Flip that id love to have :sad5: