They are very weirdly built and require lots of work for just basic things... the water pump requires disassembling half the engine and they fail frequently. These were also on cheap cars bought by poor people, so maintenance was usually skimped on.
They are very unrefined engines too. Gutless at low RPM, and very noisy and harsh at high RPM. Since they produce a lot of power at high RPM, they were favourites for people who liked to race them against Hondas and whatnot.... another reason to stay away.
Terrible engines. My Z24 had the 2.4 and was nothing but problems. My buddies Grand am had the older version, the 2.3, and we couldn't keep heads from warping. The older 2.2 is durable, if a little anticlimactic.
A really good engine that GM had something to do with is the 1.9L twincam in older Saturns. They go through a little oil, but otherwise are tanks, and have good power. Also a timing chain. I love mine. almost 300,000 miles and no issues.
look they were the base engine for mid to late 90's gm cars. when they were good, they were great, they have their quirks, are a huge pia to work on and when they are bad junk em!
truthfully ill never work on another doing any serious repair unless i drop the engine out.
in my opinion, yeah id call em junk
I personally don't like getting cars from mechanics. Here is info on that engine. I would stay away from it, but that's just me.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GM_Quad-4_e...
stay away from Pontiac period. they don't make them anymore and there is a reason for it !
The Quad 4 is fine until you have to change the water pump and find out you have to pull the entire timing chain housing off, front and back including removing the front motor mount to put in a new water pump.
The 2.4L is as good as any GM 4-banger. That's not good, mind you, but as good as a GM one gets.
yes
Looking at buying a used car but my dad told me to stay away from 2.4L and 2.3L engines and to go for 2.2L. I found a really good priced 1998 pontiac sunfire, mechanic is selling it and will make sure everything is good before he sells it to me. Only thing is, it has a 2.4L engine which my dad said he wouldn't touch with a 3m pole...
What's your take on these engines?
