I have a 2005 Pontiac grand am v6 automatic that I need checked out.I am buying it from a buy here pay here in Guntersville al.my husband and I got this car last year and have not had any problems with it.we have been on time with the oil change.we moved to robertsdale al the first week of April.it has always had a very slight rougg idle.just when we moved here the low coolant light came on.so we had a mechanic come down and put some coolant in.the idle started to get a little rough.he said that it was time to replace the plugs and wires which we had him do.about a week ago the low coolant would start come on and off after we would drive for a while.especially when the air was on but there was coolant no leaks and it ran at 200 to 220 temp.so we had the senscor replaced.well anytime we would go any where my husband would let the car warm up.when we would drive the car aftthe censor was replace we drive for and hour with the air on the low coolant would come on and then off.the next day we drove all day without the air on and it didn't come until just before we got home.there was coolant wasn't running hot and no leaks.well Friday April 26 the car did good minus the little bit of rough idle.the Friday afternoon I got in the car started up and started to back up and noticed it was jerking some but when I put it in drive it wajerking.but the idle was getting little worse.I stopped and put $5 gas in and took off when I got to a red light the idle became even worse it drove great.it didn't quite but it felt like it would.I got home safe.that evening I went to roll up the windows and saw bird poop.I turned the car on sat for a few seconds and turned the wiper fluid on and kept it on until the poop was off.my son said the car was leaking.it basically was leaking under both the driver and passenger side doors.it was clear like water but oily with a detergent smell.no leaks in the middle or front of the engine.it also didn't idle rough.Saturday morning my husband warmed up the car and we drove a half of mile with no problems.we then drove to a flea market in summerdale which I guess is about 5 miles.when we got to the flea market and stopped the idle was so rough it shook the car.we waited 35 minutes got back in the car and when he put it in reverse the idle was rough but in drive it was hard and shaky but when he drove it did good.he tried putting in neutral and reved the engine.after that for a few seconds the idle was smooth but went back to idling rough.but today the car did great and we only drove a few blocks down the road and back.my husband is on unemployment and the only way for us to get it fixed is to do payments.it is the only vehicle we have for him to look for work.help please

so to make it simple you have a low coolant light but the coolant level is fine? the temp is fine? which sensor did you replace?

and you have a rough idle that gets worse as it warms up? you had someone do the plugs and wires, how about fuel, oil and oil filter? how many miles? alot of times rough idle is a vacuum leak of some sort whether its vacuum lines, a throttle body or intake manifold seal, problem with the heater controls, problem with a evap line or valve, etc. you can get some carb cleaner spray and run the engine and spray around suspect areas and listen for the engine to change.

146,000 miles oil oil filter and air filter was changed.it was the coolant jug censor

probably something wrong with the wires.

vacuum leak still sounds like

Thanks.I will get them to check that out.I will give updates

At that mileage, the lower intake manifold gasket would be one of the first things I'd have checked/serviced if possible, unless it has already been changed to the aluminum lower intake manifold gasket, they can fail an cause vacuum leaks, and cause coolant to get sucked into your intake, which can cause catastrophic engine failure.

Cleaning the MAF sensor with MAF cleaner also wouldn't hurt, dirty MAF thermistors can cause rough idle, our fuel pressure regulators can also have issues, and cause the car to chuggle a bit.

Watch this video, and check the fuel pressure regulator, the part that shows how to test it starts at 1:49, I doubt yours is bad, but the test is easy to do, and just takes a few minutes.

I was out today and the service engine soon light finally came on
Had the code scanned and it says misfire in cylinder 1. Hubby was going to check the plug but he doesn't have a tool to get it out (his tools were stolen recently) I got find someone to take a look.I know it could be bad gas clogged fuel injector coil pack plugs wires ect.but I need to find someone to look at it.thanks everyone

Well after a little more investigation we found out that we need a lower valve cover gasket.I want to thank ya'll for the advice.I really appreciate everything

A valve cover gasket isn't going to fix a P0301/Cylinder #1 misfire. Or were you talking about the lower INTAKE gasket?

Yes I did.I apologize for not putting it right