How To Replace A Head Gasket On A 3.4L ( 3400 ) Pontiac Grand Am

Learn all the steps on how to take off and replace your head gaskets on a 3.4L V6.

[@joeluckenbach3682]

This video may be years old but it helped me gain the confidence to fix my blown head gasket myself. I do a lot of maintenance on my own (brakes and brake lines, wheel bearings, spark plugs, oil changes of course) but never have I ever taken apart any bit of an engine. The teardown was very thorough and walked me through every step. I wish that there was a thorough reassembly, but he was so thorough on the teardown that i just went in reverse and found all of the important torque specs online. A few broken bolts and stripped threads later, but with 171k miles she's back up and running like a clock. It did take me significantly longer than expected to finish this job but I was making sure to take my time, kudos to this guy for doing it in a day. Definitely learned a lot in this process, I hope to never have to repair rocker arm threads again though, that was not fun.

[@user-cw1np6pg7s]

Uaghh rocker arm threads?! Maan

[@Atreus21]

Going on about 8 months and 19,000 miles since I did this job with this video and its author as an invaluable resource. I find myself watching the video out of nostalgia. I was attached to it by the hip during the whole process. The car (Buick Rendezvous) is running well at 122,000 miles. No SES lights. The only residual item is an exhaust leak that I simply haven't the time to run down. Thank you so much, again.

[@joetowers6591]

Man I have to give it to you. I didn't feel comfortable at all doing mine. But I watched this video over and over for a week. Then I took a piece of paper and literally wrote all the important stuff down. 2pages. But thanks to you. It was no problem. Took me 3days tho. But not to bad in the middle of January. Thanks again.

[@BuddyJeans]

I just helping the neighbors with there 3.4 a lot of old age parts breaking. Your video is helping me see how to get to parts and what tool to use. Stay humble and always learn and mentor .

[@MinhLe-cw4ng]

Thanks for the time to make the video. I'm sure a lot of people appreciate what you have done for the people out there.

[@tonistarks2874]

Bro, I have to say this has been one of the best videos I've seen dismantling to the head gasket.str8 to the point and very well detailed.much appreciated on this.

[@KingEdward317]

This guy right here is the truth he basically gave me confidence to do this myself & other stuff if you pay attention he’s teaching you way more than just how to replace head gaskets ,, I’ve referred back to this video dozens of time for lost plug locations couldn’t find but found in this vid & bunch other crazy stuff thanks bro 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@FriendPerformanceLLC]

Thanks for the comment and watching the video :)

[@Atreus21]

When I did it on my Rendezvous I had the laptop sitting next to the car, hitting play and pause and play and pause all the time.

[@KingEdward317]

Atreus21 same here bro now I’m rebuilding entire engines 👏🏼👏🏼🙏🏼

[@michaelvitiello9960]

I am having to replace a head gasket on same freaking car, same freaking motor. Dude, this video is the sh!t. Thank you very much for making this video. I watched it in its entirety before I attempted to replace the gasket, and I had totally felt like I had done it before when I started on it I knew exactly what to remove and what order to remove it. Thank you for your time and effort for making this video.

[@Atreus21]

Did you get it done?

[@chagan402]

What u tighten the rocker arms down too

[@briangodinez4583]

just wanna say thx. i had just bought my 99gt and then BAM! blown head gasket. at 226000 miles it shouldnt have surprised me. i knew something was wrong with it when i bought it for 500$. just didnt expect it to happen that quick. love my gt. thx to this video shes back up and runnin like a champ,with no sign of quittin anytime soon.easily saved tons of cash doin it myself. thx again

[@volrising1500]

Tfaod Crafters not the same car but same motor same problem

[@jeremythumann4985]

This will be the third one I have done. Your technique is much faster than mine and I will be employing your tips and tricks. Thank you!!!

[@Robert-lz7jw]

Awesome video. Very good step by step coverage. You cover every bolt and how to get it out. Excellent job. Thanks!

[@adamshaffer7430]

Hey thank you man , I did my head gasket 3 years ago and have put 30,000 since then , thank you

[@srlbotanical]

Thanks for taking the time to post this. It was really helpful doing head gaskets on my daughters 2003 Grand AM. The only thing I would add is to take the hood all the way off. 4 bolts and you have much better access. Thanks Again!

[@ducte1213]

Hey man, thanks a lot for the video! I bought a 2001 grand am and 2 days later, it overheated. Head gaskets we’re leaking and heads were cracked. You helped me and my father tear it all apart and put it back together. Runs like a charm now! so far.....

[@milescabbathway]

Thanks for sharing. Videos like this help us backyard wrenches. I just got my 3.1 heads back from the shopped (warped bad) and going to put new seals in before I put it back together

[@AzrockOmegaMan]

Good job bro! Very detailed, and carefully made. I can tell you truly intended to help people through this nightmare, V6's can be an overwhelming bear. Thank you again for this well done video!

[@tyball2489]

Did he do 2 passes on the headbolts

[@terdcel]

Excellent detailed accurate step by step instructions for what is otherwise a very painful project. Used this video to walk my way through the same project.

[@amyphelps4695]

Thanks for this video. Just bought a 2001 Monte Carlo with suspected blown head gasket. I am taking this project on when the weather warms up around here. Like the push rod order trick.

[@toyotatech2jz814]

Great video probably the best on KZbin for this repair. I'm about to tackle the left head gasket in a few days, have all the repair info and specs but nothing beats actually video footage of it being done.

[@FriendPerformanceLLC]

thank you so much :)

[@12dbrhdwk61]

i think so. very useful video except CNC.

[@zackinblack]

ToyotaTech2JZ how did it go?

[@toyotatech2jz814]

it took about 4 days to do. I have a lift at work which made it a little easier. Only broke a couple bolts getting the exhaust manifold other than that it went smoothly but wasn't an easy job to say the least spent about 300 getting the heads resurfaced and machined and valve job and spent about 200 on all the gaskets and new head bolts.

[@babayega_]

@@toyotatech2jz814 what do you do after the exhaust bolt breaks off? How do you fix that? I mean you'll have the stud still sticking out and it will be short so how do you resolve that problem done the bolt isn't coming out and it's too short since the nut that broke off too half the bolt with it. What's the remedy to that if you don't mind me asking?

[@PeterJMery]

Great Video ! I'am Doing My Head gaskets Tomorrow. I've Replaced Many Head gaskets,But Never On A 3.4, Now I Know Excactly What I'm In For, Thanks Alot.You Can Work On My Car Anytime, You Are A Great Mechanic.

[@dannybrunck3191]

Great video on head gasket repair. I am going to for my first time ever tear the top end of an engine apart. 2005 white grand am 3400. I was a complete nervous wreck until I watched this greatly detailed video. I do have a life time of experience with auto mechanics but only exterior parts. Thanks to this video I now have the confidence and motivation to tackle this project.

[@GlobalTopGuns]

Awesome job, sir. And it was nice of you to give the spastic a job filming it.

[@dakotarose3642]

Your instructions have been spot on. I just pulled my heads and am having them shaved now. Thank you so much.

[@kenyonbrewer]

Just bought a 2003 pontiac grand am just like this too a T. This video helped me all the way through, too replacing my head gaskets. You guys made a great video, gave alot of great tips and tricks. Thank you guys for sharing.

[@FriendPerformanceLLC]

Thanks for watching, glad it helped!

[@philflood3880]

One of the best videos on the subject I have seen. I'd rather have the "sniffles" than some of that loud overpowering music that is played over other videos. At least I can hear what the person here is talking about. I am in the middle of fixing my son's Alero and it has been a PITA job. Where it came to the rear head, I found it easier to remove the exhaust pipe from the manifold from underneath the car using "wobbly" extensions and an air impact wrench and then remove the head COMPLETE with exhaust manifold etc. I then removed all those bits on the bench and sent the heads out for machining. I am about to reinstall same so I hope I don't learn why I should not have done it this way! I had found it very difficult to get at the manifold bolts and heat shield securing bolts while head was in the car. I am in mid seventies so probably that had something to do with it that made me take a short cut, which I hope I don't regret! The only other problem I had to this point was removing the cruise control cable from throttle body. Those older V8's were a lot easier to work on!

[@Atreus21]

Ha! That's EXACTLY what I did with my Rendezvous, regarding getting the exhaust off the rear head. However, even though my car has been working, I've got a residual exhaust leak that I haven't yet worked on, but I'd bet money on it being something I screwed up at the exhaust pipe connection to the rear manifold.

[@brandonbaker8026]

Yeah music kills my buzz from all the coke that gave me the sniffles haha

[@volrising1500]

Phil Flood how did everything turn out? I'm about to have to take my heads off on mine. And I know what you mean you could do about everything to those old v8s instead of sending them off. I grew up racing with a 350 and sbc 400 and man you could tear them down in less than a hour!

[@TheLifeOfMartin]

same except, i didnt need to go under at all besides lifting it for the power steering

[@Doc_Here]

Thank you for this video. I have purchased a Chevy Venture with blown headgaskets to make it my junk hauler. I did not know what I was getting into :D But I pulled it off and this video helped a ton.

[@seankrekel2452]

Great diy instruction video for the 3.4 v6. Doing the head gaskets on my gfs 04 pontiac grand am. Already replaced water pump, thermostat, ran multiple flushes on it but it still smoked and had milky oil. I wish all videos were filmed like this, I think it's a lost art.

[@rapbrown4133]

I was going to critique the order you broke it down in, but what the hell man? Your did a good job.

[@1967mendez]

You are the man! I just had mine done on Chevy Equinox

[@omgmyspleen3582]

I've been forced to become familiar with these engines over the past 6 months lol. My own 2005 Equinox blew a head gasket at about 108K (shitty factory gaskets!) and boy, that was a learning experience. I didn't have the money to take it into a shop and more or less wanted to feel proud about rebuilding it myself. Tell you what, the 3.4 LNJ in the Equinox Is much different in terms of intake, serpentine belt and wiring. But these engines are so much better than people say and will run with the worst of issues... I've seen them running with thrown rods... I literally just got done taking apart a 3.1 in a friend's 98 Malibu with the same issue. Thanks for the video it definitely helped a bit!

[@XPUNISHER24X]

Thanks for the full in-depth video, not much of these types of videos on KZbin.

[@FriendPerformanceLLC]

JL Reaper thanks, yes I agree alot of them skip almost everything other than when the part is actually coming off. this took me about 6 hours to edit lmao

[@captainjack6332]

I found this video very informative. I will use it as my reference point because it is similar to the 3,1 that I going to try and fix.

[@BETOBXP13]

Brother, you are a BEAST!!! AWESOME video!!

[@georgechamberlainjr3168]

Thanks for the video. I got to do this on my daughter's car. Also thanks alot for the step by step instead of skipping over stuff. Very clear video

[@FriendPerformanceLLC]

George Chamberlain Jr thanks :)

[@brianc4817]

Bro, I just saved my 2004 Pontiac Grand am sc/t coupe thanks to your video. I replaced the headgaskets, and basically every part in the motor, at 290,000kms it should be good for another 100k.

[@juan91991]

Thanks a lot. Big help because I am gojng to replace the head gaskets on my buick century 3.1L

[@shannonmanitopyes596]

Awesome Video, thanks too your expertise i now know how too replace my head gaskets

[@46lfries]

This is the best video that I have ever watched pulling heads off an engine 3.4 do everything he says it will save you a lot of grief when you put all that knick-knack stuff back on there if you have to go back and look at the video there's an engine lift plate behind that alternator bracket you make damn sure you put that back in there if you don't you'll be stripped the bolthole or break the bracket like I did keep all that shitt together look at that video when you put it back together because this kid's good real good

[@FeoOrozco]

Really appreciate the video!! I really like how you recorded every bolt you took off even if it meant making the video an hr long! Even though head gaskets seem like a pain in the butt I'm really forward to changing mine on an 04 Olds Alero! I been having slight over heating issues and I'm starting to think its the head gasket only cuz at this point I've replaced everything in the cooling system except the head gasket and the heater core :( new intake gaskets new pump new radiator & hoses. After taking it apart so many times I started to really enjoy working on it so Im really looking forward to my first head gasket change and your video really helped alot!!

[@theroyalcrownedtiger2946]

Thank You, this will help greatly with the changing the head gasket on my Chevy Venture van.

[@teslawatts4148]

Definitely following this video on my phone through the whole process.

[@Leviathon92]

Thank you so much for this I had to do 2 of theses motors ,Daughter and my son's lol this video was spot on ty so much. I only had 1 problem the gas line was a bear to get set in right it leaked bad at first so anyone doing this make sure that sucker seats right

[@tomsmith29]

well done ! my bro has a 03 rendezvous with this 3400 she's a leaker of oil (oil pan gasket) and i am used to honda and toyota design gm's seem very hard to work on. with out good people like you showing us it would be a impossible challenge

[@ruff2007]

WOW! you just amazing dr.mechcani professor.peace.

[@nickilic3434]

Thanks for this video!! It was a great help! I did my own head gasket on a 2003 Chevy Venture. (Talk about tight spaces) Your video was the ONLY reason it worked out for me. A few small differences in engine layout but nothing major. Everything went as smooth as silk. I have an ongoing joke with my kids... each time I came back to your video, I'd say "it's time to talk to Mr. Sniffles." I believe it was chilly out when you made the video. Anyways I really appreciated the help!! God bless you and yours!

[@FriendPerformanceLLC]

Nick Ilic yeah it was a warmer day and i dont like to wear a jacket or coat and my nose kept running all day haha, thanks for watching the video man and that name is kinda catchy =P

[@johnmullins4422]

Still going strong? Looking into buying a 2005 venture with head gasket issues

[@cuzzcurt1]

Good job fam. I'm doing the front head gasket tomorrow.. Thx for the video👍

[@ChazR25]

Amazing video! Thanks and great job detailing everything!!

[@FriendPerformanceLLC]

police_state thank you

[@JasonfromMinnesota]

Don’t even have to ask i’m subscribed!!! The amount of gold in this video is legendary!!!!

[@reesecales7188]

Thank you!!!! I’m doing a 1998 Chevy Malibu 3.1L similar motors. Starting it this week both head gaskets.

[@nikkokeider7109]

GREAT VIDEO!!! A+++ Thanks for the visual aid. Very thorough with great tips. Hopefully I can complete it as fast as you did! Awfully nice day for a cold;)though.

[@davidelder6384]

good right up man few things i wouldn't do that you did, but your a good tech. thanks for the awesome video!

[@raymondj8768]

dude you must invest in PB Blast its some good shit for rusty bolts . and this is one of the best repair videos ive ever seen and im a 52 year old mechanic thanks bro !!!

[@johnnielsen82]

great vid, thanks for taking the time!

[@BWOWombat]

Bro. Thank you. God bless you and your family!!!!

[@kornbread5359]

all the rockers and pushrods have to come out :O as if i wasnt intimidated enough. very good video, time to study, watch watch rewatch thx much for the vid.

[@terrynoblet1090]

You are a lifesaver thank you so much for all these videos

[@terrellcole7633]

Im not excited to do this, but it has to be done in the near future on my 04 Grand Am GT. Saving this video for when I finally get around to doing this.

[@katieblake5673]

Thanks for doing such a great job on this video. I used it as my resource to fix the head gasket in my Oldsmobile Alero. I am not a machanic and got the car as a learning project during the summer. It now runs and has no issues thanks to this video. I would have loved having a step by step instruction video on putting the engine back together, but I highly recommend this video to people that have 3.4l engines.

[@Atreus21]

This is probably the best video on the internet for doing head gaskets on this engine.

[@josephthielman6889]

That was awesome video I learned a lot thank you

[@supervisionauto1supervisio794]

Very good write up. I was thinking about doing one of these job but now forget it. Thanks for the warning haha

[@FriendPerformanceLLC]

you're welcome lol

[@aaronajbird07]

Hey you did an awesome job, I don't need a head gasket change anytime soon but I am certainly using this video to do so, thanks for making this video :)

[@FriendPerformanceLLC]

AYER07 Doesn't Kid thank ya

[@jbates88]

Thank you for this video. I wanted to know what a garage would be doing to my car.

[@marioantonio7639]

Thank you for this video I did my head gaskets running excelente ☝️😇

[@billblass2]

Dude, you are an insane wrench! Absolutely the shit.

[@crechio]

Excellent video! I will be doing this job on my daughters 2001 Olds Alero.

[@FriendPerformanceLLC]

Nicolet thanks :)

[@jordanhinderliter3784]

Thanks for the play by play. The Alero im working on is possibly the worst vehical Ive ever done. Also *Pro Tip* - Go ahead!

[@1loyaltydevan308]

Thanks for teaching i have a 2005 Pontiac grand am same color and same problem this videos helps me alot

[@beowulf2285]

Excellent video. MUCH appreciated

[@FriendPerformanceLLC]

+Beowulf 22 Anytime! Thanks for Watching

[@bamboohouseentertainment1473]

This vid is everything. Great vid. Good man

[@ogtfno]

Best video I have seen on this , and I have watched many 👍

[@227julien]

I'm on the same progress I'm only 16 and 0 experience and only took me a night to disassemble really easy only need to organize the stuff and need the tools (this video helped alot thanks:)

[@FriendPerformanceLLC]

227julien no problem, thanks for viewing 😊

[@scottybell2060]

i used this video to do my own. very helpful but one thing to consider if you are thinking about doing this your self is to watch the video all the way through writing and numbering the steps as you watch. it makes putting the engine back together a lot easier when you can just follow the list backward. i noted 87 steps. you may have slightly more or less just depends.

[@Atreus21]

I had the laptop next to my car during the tear down and rebuild. Used it incessantly.

[@ajcrossley2131]

Thanks dude! You saved me hours of work

[@ethanquibell]

This vid helped so much, thanks so much for doing this🙏🏼

[@justinmartin1823]

I just wanted to say thank you for making this video. if not for it I Would've been working on my daughter's car for weeks instead of hours.

[@FriendPerformanceLLC]

thank you for watching and I appreciate it :)

[@gofoats]

Making my job a lot easier. I had to pull the injectors , and managed to yak up the wiring. I had to purchase a manual for the car to get the wiring straightened out; otherwise, this guy is really good.

[@charlescrowe2606]

great job guys have to do one tomorrow, some good tips there, not sure where you are from however I'm certain it will take a little longer here on the rock .things seem to rust up and decay a little more with the salty air the joys of being surrounded by water.

[@robertreyes6613]

finished the job thanks for the help.

[@FriendPerformanceLLC]

Robert Reyes you're welcome

[@christopherwatson283]

I pulled my heads with the manifolds and shields on. I put them back on with the manifolds and shields on. Saves a lot of time. Use some penetrating oil and an Impact to pull the cross pipe bolts/nuts. Use penetrating oil and an impact to remove lower pipe nuts/bolts from fire wall side manifold. It's a lot less likely you'll break exhaust bolts.

[@tyroneballantyne8059]

Amazing work bud

[@jackjones3001]

Wow that some great work

[@htowngetmoney2172]

Dude good video 👌🏽👌🏽👌🏽

[@FriendPerformanceLLC]

thank you

[@erno9248]

Well done.Thanks for teaching.

[@nathanpayne7598]

Great video. Thank You

[@teslawatts4148]

Starting this job in about 6 hours on my 03 Grand Am GT, man do I hope it goes well, this job is a first for me. Sure beats a $2,000.00 shop bill though, I ordered the whole gasket set bolts included 65.00 on ebay, free shipping.

[@pastorfuzz367]

Good work/video.

[@MA-zo9vv]

You’re awesome thank you for your help

[@kimbojanbranyan6352]

Thank u so much this was great.

[@bigstuff52]

Good job young man!

[@FriendPerformanceLLC]

thank you sir

[@raulponce5360]

wish I had your patience man, mines is having every issue it can possibly have. After years of enjoying my chevy venture I think it's time it makes it's way to the boneyard. Seeing everything that has to be done, I am now sure I am not up for this trip. lol

[@anthonydowning2958]

Hey man great video. One of the best I have found for front wheel v6s. Getting ready to go put in some work on a 1992 Plymouth Sundance Duster v6 3.0. Haven't done one yet. Car has been sitting for 3 years. Overheats and smokes pretty bad. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[@gilbertorosales3385]

Good video, thanks for that tutorial bro

[@patriciabrown1612]

great video it help me alot thanks!!!!!!1

[@allysonhunt2026]

You sound like bob ross. "You aint gunna hurt nothing" lol. Your car was so compliant with you unlike mine

[@blackville3]

Hi!. Thanks for the video it's very helpful. I have a 3.1 MPFI buick century and it's very similar to this engine

[@patriciabrown1612]

GREAT JOB

[@Danny-ow7hl]

Great video. I would pay top dollar for you to repair my Grand Am.

[@FriendPerformanceLLC]

:)

[@GoldenMinotaur]

Great video. Gonna try it on my Pontiac Montana that has nearly 200k miles on it

[@ryanmcduffie3788]

Dude! Thanks so much for the video! I pretty much followed this step for step and I'm basically done putting everything back together. Hopefully my car starts when I turn the key. lol

[@MexicanPizzaYummy]

did it start?

[@volrising1500]

Did it start?

[@garrettb69]

DID it start?

[@williamviman2864]

Some say he still hasn't tried

[@christopherroberts1368]

Pssshh. Would you just look at it

[@sy73326]

I did not believe in the death penalty until my daughter's Chevy Venture van developed a blown head gasket.