First off, I would like to say hello as I am a new member here.
Hopefully, my time here will yield fruitful knowledge as this forum is for TA enthusiasts.
Now, I'll try and get straight to the point. My father owns a 1981 Pontiac Turbo TA and it's been in the family virtually forever. (since 1986?) Been babied and garaged most of it's life w/ only 77,000+ original miles but, unfortunately had to spend the last 4-5 years outside and has been under a professional car cover most of that time. She has been rarely driven all of those years (an occasional long distance trip here and there well over 25 years ago). About 20 years ago, my dad started her up and discovered it was running slightly hot and had an oil leak. Well, we got it into the shop (GM authorized dealer shop) and they said it was a leaking rear main seal and that not only the seal but basically all gaskets and seals in the car would need to be replaced...this was done.
When I drove it home from the shop it was smoking and seemed to be missing, this was not the case BEFORE bringing the car to them. (yes, it actually ran worse AFTER GM authorized service than before) I told my father he needed to immediately take the car back to them and have it fixed right but, unfortunately dad is not the confrontational type so, it remained that way for the next 20 years. Having hardly ever been started and either garaged or under the cover for the last few of those years.
Fast forward to 2023, dad's getting old and wants the car up and running reliably before he merges w/ the infinite. I do my best to accommodate him and get the car into a local shop where it sits for a couple weeks as various spurts of work get done to it. (clean gas tank, new fuel lines, rebuild carb, change oil etc.)
Anyways, shop finally calls yesterday and says she's running but she smokes, (didn't say anything about knocking or missing) says it seems to have gotten a little better since they've driven it but says in his opinion all the gaskets and seals have dried out and potentially dry-rotted from sitting idle all this time.
When I ask if there's anything that can be done am told there's 2 options.
1. Tebuild the motor (in NO WAY financially feasible right now)... or
2. Try and engine treatment which MAY sufficiently lubricate gaskets and seals and solve problem. Well, after some 2nd opinions I'm told I can try an engine treatment but, am also told to BE CAREFUL and DO SOME RESEARCH AND ASK ON SOME FORUMS for any potential advice as to selecting one as some treatments can actually HARM the engine more than help.
So finally, my question for the experienced 1980-81 301 Turbo TA owners is this: If you had to use one of these treatments to attempt to remedy this problem, which one in you folks' opinion would be most effective and safest one?
If you made it this far, I'd like to say thanks for reading and for any suggestions and help you may be able to provide.
Hopefully, my time here will yield fruitful knowledge as this forum is for TA enthusiasts.
Now, I'll try and get straight to the point. My father owns a 1981 Pontiac Turbo TA and it's been in the family virtually forever. (since 1986?) Been babied and garaged most of it's life w/ only 77,000+ original miles but, unfortunately had to spend the last 4-5 years outside and has been under a professional car cover most of that time. She has been rarely driven all of those years (an occasional long distance trip here and there well over 25 years ago). About 20 years ago, my dad started her up and discovered it was running slightly hot and had an oil leak. Well, we got it into the shop (GM authorized dealer shop) and they said it was a leaking rear main seal and that not only the seal but basically all gaskets and seals in the car would need to be replaced...this was done.
When I drove it home from the shop it was smoking and seemed to be missing, this was not the case BEFORE bringing the car to them. (yes, it actually ran worse AFTER GM authorized service than before) I told my father he needed to immediately take the car back to them and have it fixed right but, unfortunately dad is not the confrontational type so, it remained that way for the next 20 years. Having hardly ever been started and either garaged or under the cover for the last few of those years.
Fast forward to 2023, dad's getting old and wants the car up and running reliably before he merges w/ the infinite. I do my best to accommodate him and get the car into a local shop where it sits for a couple weeks as various spurts of work get done to it. (clean gas tank, new fuel lines, rebuild carb, change oil etc.)
Anyways, shop finally calls yesterday and says she's running but she smokes, (didn't say anything about knocking or missing) says it seems to have gotten a little better since they've driven it but says in his opinion all the gaskets and seals have dried out and potentially dry-rotted from sitting idle all this time.
When I ask if there's anything that can be done am told there's 2 options.
1. Tebuild the motor (in NO WAY financially feasible right now)... or
2. Try and engine treatment which MAY sufficiently lubricate gaskets and seals and solve problem. Well, after some 2nd opinions I'm told I can try an engine treatment but, am also told to BE CAREFUL and DO SOME RESEARCH AND ASK ON SOME FORUMS for any potential advice as to selecting one as some treatments can actually HARM the engine more than help.
So finally, my question for the experienced 1980-81 301 Turbo TA owners is this: If you had to use one of these treatments to attempt to remedy this problem, which one in you folks' opinion would be most effective and safest one?
If you made it this far, I'd like to say thanks for reading and for any suggestions and help you may be able to provide.
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