problems w/95 grand am se

Hello,

any constructive help would be appreciated. I bought a used grand am se with 111,000 miles. It ran w/o problems for the first seven months. First problem I had was the car started smoking (regular smoke/not black/electrical smoke), smoke was pouring inside the car from the gear shift and from by the brake/gas pedals. I had a tune-up , which got the car back on the road for a few weeks. Then I noticed a great loss in accleration, more smoke, problems starting car, pretty much in that order.

I have been told 1) the catalytic converter may have gone bad
2) the timing belt may have broken.
3) transmission may be slipping
4) need new engine mounts because its "jumping" too much.

I have had a tune-up/chaned 02 sensor/changed oil filter/tried fuel injection treatments/gas treatments.

Currently the car isnt starting at all, cannot even drive to a place with a diagnostic machine.

Am ready to scrap the thing!!

Thanks in advance

so whats smoking? other than you..is there oil or other fluids causeing this? eithr way smokes not good. if it has a timing belt and that jumped a notch or two that'll make it run like caca for sure. I dont think it would run if the belt was broke though. bad valve seals will cause alota smoke too. keep us possted \,,/

Hey Xeroinfinity:

Thanks for the reply, bad valve casing was never brought up by anyone I had looking at it,and you would think if a leak was involved someone would have caught it, I myself never saw a leak. thing is,like every car, too much can be wrong...I hated the idea of throwing good money after bad, so today, I junked it, its a crying shame what they give u for it tho...


Just wanted to express my thanks for your help and advice.

yes a faulty valve will smoke/tick. Valve guilds are bad about leaking in and burning offf oil. That is kinda more advanced to locate, but if one would seen it(car), in person, one would have a better assesment of the condition. One thing after another! Been there man. So I bought a newr car,figured it would been less to go wrong, WRONG! Same shit just cost twice as much for parts and three times as long to do the job. it Is a same what you get for a nice lookin but not running car, 100$ if ur lucky.Damn basturds! Good Luck for the new ride.