I have a 2001 Pontiac Grand Am. I have a 6 cylinder 3.4L engine and it has over 200,000 miles. I have a overheating problem. My antifreeze constantly needs to be replaced and I know you’re supposed to change that every few years. I had been replacing the coolant more than I changed the oil. I had the coolant tank replaced, the radiator, the water pump replaced, the spark plugs. Only to find out that I have antifreeze in my engine. My mechanic told me that was terrible. I don’t understand how it destroyed my engine, and I need to know if I still wanted to fix my car, replace the engine, if the same thing would occur. The engine was badly corroded. I took my car on road trips. I need to know if it’s better if I scrap the car or fix it. Replacing the engine will be a hassle but I want to get my car up and running. I already have a engine ready to replace the one I have now.I’d truly appreciate any feedback.
I would recommend not throwing good money after bad. If you replace the motor, you still have old transmission and suspension and everything else.
Cut your losses and move on.
*Only to find out that I have antifreeze in my engine. My mechanic told me that was terrible."
Ahhh either your tech didn't explain it well or you didn't understand. Either or, what I infer from this is that you've been driving around with a bad head gasket so the antifreeze was mixing with the oil when they are both suppose to be in there own separate systems. When a head gasket failure occurs, oil can get into the coolant ducts and vice versa.
If you already have another engine in hand, I would suggest to replace it just because the 3800 series motor you got is pretty good, one of the best GM made. And both new and used cars are pretty high in price nowadays depending on your area.
If it turns out to be a blown head gasket, my move would be to pull the head, get it rebuilt and put it back together, IMO.
For me, it just depends on your money situation. Bare in mind, if you have to get a new car and make payments that could easily be $250 a month for the next 5 years and stuff might go bad on that too. But if you can afford to buy something new with breathing room, maybe. I'm starting to sway on replace the engine side. You can look arpund and do it yourself.
