Fix This OLD Pontiac: Tuning Up and Fixing an Old TURBO Pontiac Solstice GXP

[@ruthdelafuente2779]

Hi I have one 2007 gxp turbo..I have issues we are getting them fixed and showing my husband your videos to guide him on ours..thankyou

[@GearHeadzGarageUSA]

What do you have going on? If there's something you want to see in particular let me know! I can always drop a custom how to...also going back and updating the older ones

[@CUbanageNT_24]

​@@GearHeadzGarageUSA mine, is, having coolant temp issues, but I'm just assuming it's the thermostat and will replace it, if there's anything else I should know, shoot! 112k miles

[@GearHeadzGarageUSA]

@@CUbanageNT_24 are you having to add coolant?

[@CUbanageNT_24]

@@GearHeadzGarageUSA no, no leaks, Used to stay between 189-199, went up to 205 last year and never went past until this summer, now on hills or idle it can hit 215 but quickly goes back down on high gears or neutral, even with the cold Temps outside rn

[@mconleys]

I have a 2007 Sky Redline. I had 5 codes. P2101 was one of them. I replaced ECM Throttle Body and Accelerator Pedal to correct. I also had the high pressure fuel pump go out. I did all the work my self. Thanks for the video.

[@GearHeadzGarageUSA]

The fuel pump can be a tough little repair to do! Especially when it comes time to do the thermostat too that's a hard one Thanks for watching

[@jayorleman1707]

Non-garage queen. 160k + miles, all factory. 07 gxp. Daily... no issues! Love this thing.

[@GearHeadzGarageUSA]

You got a good one!

[@ernestocabrera876]

My daughter owned my 2007 GXP for 8 years as a daily driver. Changing the water pump was the only problem. She sold me the car 3 years ago. So far only a bad gas cap giving me a code. Got a new gas cap so far no problems. 93k miles.

[@GearHeadzGarageUSA]

Lucky man, this is my second one and have to say compared to my first one my 07 GXP is junk. Very low miles as well. Just discovered the other day that coolant is leaking in the block so it needs a rebuild soon!

[@Red4banger]

I know this is old. Did you get the coolant leak fixed? It sounds like you have a defective engine block. The Lost foam procedure had issues on some engines letting coolant leak into the oil. A very small percentage suffered this issue. Only fix new engine block! 😢

[@restoreamerica1558]

I bought a Standard model for my son when he was starting collage with about 60k on it. I liked his so much I bought a GXP model 3 years ago for myself as a weekend fun car. His 2.4 has been very reliable. Got him through college and he still uses it for his daily driver. He just told me it is losing some coolant now, but other then praying it doesn’t snow, been a good decent car. I don’t drive my GXP often, maybe once every week or two in the summer. It has around 70k and seems to have no issues and runs strong. I do keep it in the garage under cover when not in use. I change the oil religiously on both with all Mobile 1 oil and parts. I’ve encourage my son to sell his for a newer reliable better winter vehicle, but he can never seems to bring himself to do so even though he knows he should. But he has driven his STD version for 6 years maintenance free, so I can’t complain about the 2.4L model. As for mine, other then preventative changing filters and cleaning Map. Not sure it’s fair to compare since I don’t drive it everyday, but so far no issues at all and it’s a joy using it on nice days and love that stock radio too, it sounds awesome. I do run only premium gas in my GXP which is a pain .Thanks for the Video it may come in handy soon.

[@GearHeadzGarageUSA]

Glad you found the video helpfull more to come, dropping a few more this week! A little of the same story with me, currently on my 2nd one; the first one put me through college as well :) Keep an eye on the coolant loss on his, a lot of the forums will send you down the water pump rabbit hole and the pump is not always the case. If he starts to experience hard hot starts with the coolant loss its time for a head gasket. The GXP is more prone to this just because the cylinder head pressures. Looks like you got a good GXP for yourself as well. My first one I was the original owner and it ran like a champ, my current one has had a few owners and I can only guess it has been ragged on but I will fix it! Keep them don't sell them, I am a big GM guy and I think the days of a rear wheel drive roadster from GM is not going to happen again!

[@wrencheverydayohiyokosaima7257]

if hes losing coolant he probably got a blown head gasket lol

[@GearHeadzGarageUSA]

@@wrencheverydayohiyokosaima7257 exactly my response and these are notorious

[@wrencheverydayohiyokosaima7257]

@@GearHeadzGarageUSA these le5 motors are throw away motors. Really if you've seen the LS3 inside this car you'll be like holy cow this motor looks and feels like it belongs in the car because of how much extra room you have left....

[@GearHeadzGarageUSA]

yeah a new crate is like 2300$, cheaper than a rebuild

[@john335i]

2008 GXP, everything is original. No issues

[@GearHeadzGarageUSA]

You may have gotten the one that wasn't built on a Monday or Friday

[@danross-cv5ju]

I have an ‘08 GXP with the GM turbo upgrade kit. I think it was run pretty hard in its early life because there was an old autocross sticker on the windshield when I bought it. I eventually had to replace the timing chain, water pump, alternator and rear brakes. Haven’t had any problems since. I’ve only put about 12,000 miles on the car in four years (spring, summer, fall driving). Car has 67,000 miles on it.

[@GearHeadzGarageUSA]

Sounds like you got ahead of the issues. Many of these have been driven hard but you get some good ones and some bad ones. The nasty one that's starting to pop up is coolant loss and overheating due to head gasket wear.

[@Willtrax]

I have a 2009 Solstice GXP Turbo with 53,500 miles. My issues are my camshaft position sensor went out, all the TPMS stopped working at the same time, the passenger side handle for the top got stuck and smashed so I have to lift it before I closing and locking the top. But all in all fun car that I love to take out for a drive up to the Shenandoah Mountains or a drive out to Virginia Beach to drive the ocean front strip.🤙 I live in the southern part of Virginia. Everywhere I go heads turn and people ask about the car.😎👍

[@GearHeadzGarageUSA]

Well dang sounds like you goit my car hahaha. With all the issues its still a fun drive!

[@Willtrax]

@@GearHeadzGarageUSA: 😄 Yeah sometimes you have to work on to the point where you think everything is in vain. But then you look back and realize that is one less headache you've fixed. 😎👍

[@GearHeadzGarageUSA]

@@Willtrax but it's nonstop, don't get me wrong I love the car and the best thing GM ever did was making it a parts bin car but heck.... absolutely no after market supply on anything body related or headlights grrrrr

[@Willtrax]

@@GearHeadzGarageUSAIt's funny you say that. I have a 2011 Chevy HHR (run about daily driver). When I drive the Solstice I'm reminded of a lot of attributes from the HHR like the steering wheel and controls on it. Plus the air vents on the dash just a tid bit smaller.

[@GearHeadzGarageUSA]

Oh yeah GM was pulling from every bin possible. You should see the Chevy Cobalt I just stripped apart same thing. And the entire powertrain from that turn sideways would fit right into a Saturn sky or Pontiac Solstice 🤣🤣

[@charlesclarke9430]

Original owner of a manual 07 Solstice GXP! Had to replace my engine because the balance shaft gear sheared off into the oil pan!! Chased over-heating issues that several mechanics could not diagnose for a year! Changed the thermostat, the radiator and the water pump! Yes the car has its flaws but its very enjoyable to drive!!

[@GearHeadzGarageUSA]

That's crazy, what's funny is in regards to the overheating everyone always points to the water pump etc....I have owned a few of these and I can you the water pump is not as bad as people make it out to be. They are great cars and fun to drive. Did you do a rebuild or a new crate drop?

[@charlesclarke9430]

@@GearHeadzGarageUSA I got a complete gen 3 LDK. from ZZP. I wanted the sand casted block. I know that some guys were having the same balance shaft gear failures with the early cars. My water pump did start leaking back in 2010 with only 30k mi! It was serviced at the dealer.

[@GearHeadzGarageUSA]

@@charlesclarke9430 wasn't GM like foam casting after 2008.5 which was causing the pourus block...I think 09 was the worst year

[@charlesclarke9430]

@@GearHeadzGarageUSA Its the opposite. 07-08 had foam casted blocks. If you look at your 07 short block you will notice that it looks like styro-foam. The 2009 LDK blocks are the same blocks used in the Opel GT for the European market. The block marking is etched A20NHT. Its also 5lbs heavier from the added aluminum to make the block more rigid.

[@GearHeadzGarageUSA]

@@charlesclarke9430 I will need to take a peak then as I never looked when I had it out...it needs a head gasket so we will be making some decisions soon.

[@nathanielbailey108]

I own a GXP. It’s been a pain. Waterpump failure. Fixed it and replaced chains. New waterpump was manufactured incorrectly and caused a chain whine so I did the job again. Coolant got airbubbles in the heater core quite badly. After many attempts to get them out traditionally I drilled holes in my thermostat and finally got them. Now my camshaft timing sensor through an engine code after it started to idle rough, still determining if that’s my fault or not. I LOVE driving the car. I LOVE the way it looks. It gets much attention when I drive it. But gosh darn it’s a pain.

[@GearHeadzGarageUSA]

Amen! Same here I love driving it when it works but damn is it a pain to keep it going. Seems we are in the same boat? How did you enjoy the thermostat replacement...not fun! How about the coolant tank that boils over for no apparent reason because the pressure 😂😂😂😂

[@GearHeadzGarageUSA]

For the coolant bubbles did you also do the GM TSB Check Valve fix?

[@nathanielbailey108]

No I didn’t get any valves. I removed the Tstat a second time and drilled two small holes in it to let air pass it while the engine was cold, then used a method I found on Tim’s Garage KZbin channel where he does it to his sky. He has two, it’s the video with the clamped hoses and the water bottle. Only about 40 miles after all this it started to rough idle and throw a p0011 code. Gonna troubleshoot it tmrw. On the bright side I won a small award at a car show. I like to think it was a “shiniest turd award”. Anyway I have a Ford for when my GM fails me.

[@GearHeadzGarageUSA]

Ah yes I saw that, I choose the check valve route. Couldn't take myself to remove that thermostat again. Probably the worst design on the car especially if you have a fat hand like me.

[@williamkleckner9844]

I use Lucas oil treatment in all my vehicles. I bought a used 07 GXP and it was not getting the proper lubrication on top cause it sat so much. So, i use a half to one cup of Lucas and let it warm up and wow, what a difference. It protects everything between oil changes and helps to protect the engine. Especially a turbo car. I am not a rep, I just know it works. Try it. Follow the ratios closely and you will be okay.

[@GearHeadzGarageUSA]

I have used it before in the diesel but it has been sometime. After the last video drop I found that coolant was leaking in cyclinder 2 so it looks like a headgasket replacement is coming....60k miles and nothing but issues. My first one hit 160k before it had any issues but I was the original owner on that one. Proves that it pays to take good care of your stuff like your doing.

[@yamahaSHO]

Why did it not get oil up top from sitting so much? I'm not following... Unless you're saying that it sat so long that oil would have time to drip down.

[@williamkleckner9844]

All the oil drained from the top and it was taking longer to get lubricant thru the engine. The Lucas coated the top end and didn’t take as long to get lubricant since it coats the parts.

[@yamahaSHO]

That's not how that works. The time for oil to travel does not decrease due to sitting. If the Lucas stuff is what I think it is, it's actually increasing viscosity and making it harder to pump when cold. I've got the valve cover off of one of my cars that sits a lot. There's oil in the head and the parts are still coated. It would take a long time to strip parts of any coating with any decent oil. If it truly sits a long time, mash the throttle and crank until you get oil pressure.

[@williamkleckner9844]

It protects the engine on start up. Read the directions, DUH. Another I just want to right person. Dont use It, I really dont care. I know it works for me. Good bye. and happy driving.@@yamahaSHO

[@jasoncurrie475]

I have a 07 GXP MINE IS A GOOD DAILY DRIVER. HOWEVER I'M EASY ON MINE. SET THE CRUISE AT 65 MOST OF THE TIME

[@GearHeadzGarageUSA]

See that one will last a good time! The worst ones are the ones traded in by a teenager and beat up on....

[@2lives1left]

2007 GXP TURBO, 20,000miles, no issues! Berlin, NY

[@GearHeadzGarageUSA]

That's some awfully low miles you, sure you driving that thing? 🤣🤣🤣. That's a keeper!

[@2lives1left]

@@GearHeadzGarageUSA A few rides a summer. Always garaged, never been in the rain, and no winter driving.

[@GearHeadzGarageUSA]

@@2lives1left you got a good one I see a lot of them with 4 to 5 owners on the Vin and you know how that goes ....I'm at 80k but just last year I put almost 20k on it . My 06 I bought back in 2008 had 150+ by the time I sold it in 2014. That one had zero issues.

[@thesalvadorfamily5728]

Great video! What is the symptom of the evap valve being bad? I occasionally run into where I need to crank the starter for 3-5 seconds before the car will start. It’s pretty intermittent but seems to be increasing in frequency as of late. Thanks!

[@GearHeadzGarageUSA]

Well it can be a combination of issues, but the most likely would be hard starts such as cold hard starts- not normally hot had starts. But then again a bad head gasket and overheating can cause hot hard starts. Are you overheating? Also could just be bad grounds, if you are worried about the evap valve its about 16$ I would just replace it if its the original but us GM parts.

[@steeltree-fabricatingandcu3796]

I have a 08 Haven’t had it long got it in a trade I see temp fluctuations while driving After a 30 min drive coming to a light it idles funny I feel like I’m hearing valve clatter One thing I do know 93 octane fuel is a must I washed the engine in doing so I turned on the airbag light I have abs light and traction control light too

[@GearHeadzGarageUSA]

So there are many things here, washing of the engine could have introduced water into the fuse box or BCM/ECM located near the well. Considering the age of many of these I always use a waterless wash. They only thing I could think is to let it dry out and remove the fuse box cover. Airbag is a known issue, there is a recall. GM will fix it for free......but they cant get the parts, so they wont really fix it lol. The temp fluctuations could be many things. Many people jump to the water pump or air in the system. This is not always the case and could be a head gasket leak. Check coolant levels and do a purge of the cooling system. I have a video on this. If this purge doesn't work I would begin with a cold and hot compression test as it appears you may have a head gasket issue as temp fluctuations are the prime symptom of head gasket compression issues, the next issue would be Hard Hot Start.

[@chrismcpherson6149]

I just bought the brother to your gap turbo with 143k. He r placed the turbo and put on an aftermarket inter cooler. Car smokes pretty bad and has a couple low cylinders on 2&3. I was hoping it filled the exhaust up with oil. Any words of wisdom? I’m.buying an 08 next week with 87k and was hit slightly in the front. He got run off the road. Wish me luck! Great video by the way sometimes it will sit there idling and no smoke

[@GearHeadzGarageUSA]

I'm thinking head gasket on the smokey one but I'm rebuilding the LNF which is the motor that comes in those GXPs Pontiac etc.....may help to see whats Inside considering it's about the same exact thing . Most of the time it's either a water pump head gasket combo for everything Check out the video .. kzbin.info/www/bejne/a3uWcmNmhb2GmcU

[@andresvargas8005]

I hear the GXP have more issues than the base. I’m in the market for and since I don’t really care about power, the base manual trans is what im aiming for.

[@GearHeadzGarageUSA]

Some will disagree with me here but considering I have owned 2 in my lifetime I would agree that the GXP was plagued by some design flaws. The main issue being the cooling system and a few other little things. Both motors were solid runners but you always here more about the GXP issues than the NA.

[@whoissterling]

Interesting take here, owner of 2 myself, first one a base manual, now recently a used gxp 57k miles on it, I think it just depends on who’s taking care of the car, (mine fell apart, in my youth I tore the thing up, it was my first car) the gxp im currently driving is a dream, owned by an older guy who only sold it because he’s too old to drive. 0 issues for 6 months now and it’s my daily, however it is my baby and I take care of it, I plan on doing cool air intake on my channel soon hopefully.

[@EliyahuYHWH]

My 06na just runs and runs :)

[@GearHeadzGarageUSA]

That's why you got to get the LNF version then it won't 🤣🤣🤣 Now my 2006 naturally aspirated ran like a champ until I wrapped it around a tree.

[@vice4134]

XPS Anti-Corrosive Lubricant spray... to keep plastic plugs from sticking to the engine??? This is an expensive bottle at about $26. Any other reasons why we should buy it for... when it comes to our vehicles???

[@GearHeadzGarageUSA]

So I actually purchased it directly from the power sports dealer. It's anywhere from about 12to $19. But essentially I use it on everything. All your electrical connectors, all your plastic. Anything that can corrod. It's about the best darn stuff out there you can get. Good for all your harnesses as well.

[@transam790]

No anti seize on the threads of the plugs?

[@GearHeadzGarageUSA]

Good catch, not on these just yet. Follow up gapping is coming so they are coming right out for part 2. It runs good but it's not there just yet. The LNF 2.0 is a picky one

[@MrJorgeCon]

I am having some problems as well , not to bather you but am loosing some antifreese in my car, for no reasnon, can you help me ?

[@GearHeadzGarageUSA]

Any over heating? Or visual loss? Any overspray near the reservoir?

[@davidvaladez6821]

I got the same car, let me know when u read this need sum help

[@GearHeadzGarageUSA]

What do you got going on?

[@davidvanvolkinburg2404]

You should get a real car. Like a ford pinto or a Pontiac Aztek. Won’t have any problems with those.

[@GearHeadzGarageUSA]

Yeah Pontiac aztek would be nice ..then I can move to New Mexico and change my name to Heisenberg 🤣🤣