who knows anything about quad 4's??

[Prospeeder]

My friends lookin at a 93 Quad 4 HO 5 speed Grand Am GT. Problem is, it doesnt start. We can get it for probably 200 or so dollars. Well we tried cranking it over, the PS pump turns, so the timing chains not broken. But the car popped a few times when trying to start it, I immiedeatly jumped to the conclusion that the timing chain had skipped teeth or somthing, and told that to the owner, but now im thinking maybe not.... these have VERY problematic ignition coils and modules, wich control the spark advance/retard, so if the modules wiggin out wouldnt that cause a no start and a popping? i want your guys' imput. Its got like 272k on it, and the lady said it ran smooth and had alot of power, and used no oil between oil changes. She said it surged, sputterd, and just died and wouldnt start again.

[grinders_18]

All I've ever been told about Quad 4's is they are quick but as bad as a 3.4 DOHC lol. Sorry, not much help, but it keeps true to the topic title.

[R Dubya]

most likely the ignition module or the coils located underneath the cam valley cover.  270k is a lot for any motor.  The timing cover has somewhere in the neighborhood of 25 bolts to remove, very frustrating to say the least.  There are guides that need to be replaced every so often underneath that cover.  Water pump is also under that cover, driven by timing chain. 

Also likely to be the fuel pump, could be a whole host of things. 

I know enough about those engines to stay the f*** away!!  :laugh:

Oh yeah, Dave can confirm, the harmonic balancer (crankshaft pulley) is known to separate into two pieces!

[Prospeeder]

yea iv been researching, im telling my friend to stay the hell away from that money pit, yeesh they are money hungry sounding engines. Fix it, broken the next day, tons of money and hard to work on, then kaboom headgaket blows and then it throws a rod, ill take your advice and steer clear

[GOT2B GM]

All I've ever been told about Quad 4's is they are quick but as bad as a 3.4 DOHC lol. Sorry, not much help, but it keeps true to the topic title.

3.4 DOHC's are WAY more reliable than Quad 4's.....trust me.

[Prospeeder]

yea, 3.4s just have timing belts wich can be a pain, oil leaking out that disty seal, probly occasional ignition stuff, but they are difficult to work on for sure. This quad was not fun looking, i mean come on the PS is run off the camshaft. The things got defective timing chains, and they gobble up ignition modules and coils like candy and there sensors all seem to go bad at once. and when they leak oil, oh they leak oil, this cars got oil all OVER and up under the hood and everywhere! its BAD. And they have really really bad headgaket problems. I dont think 3.4s are bad after reading about those things, whew. My friends decided to get another Ford Escort, wich im glad.