1992-1999 Series I L27 (1992-1994 SE,SLE, SSE) & Series II L36 (1995-1999 SE, SSE, SLE) and common problems for the Series I and II L67 (all supercharged models 92-99) Including Olds 88's, Olds LSS's and Buick Lesabres Please use General Chat for non-mechanical issues, and Performance and Brainstorming for improvements.

what year did the UIM & LIM stop being a problem

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Old 10-18-2006, 04:31 PM
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Default what year did the UIM & LIM stop being a problem

Ok heres the deal, my 98 Bonnie has 206k miles and I believe the UIM was replaced before I bought it. I don't notice any coolant loos or smell etc but im gun shy. Is this gonna fail again ? Do I dare drive it on vacations , Is it hard to replace or fix ? I am kinda sorta looking out for a replacement car (not retiring mine yet) just a stand by. Either a bonnie, Lesabre Limited or Park Ave with leather probably 2000 or 2001 with say 60-70k miles. What would be the best for me in reguards to UIM and LIM problems ? What do I look for ? And with this many miles would it already have ben done ? Or ready to be done again ? Thanks again fellas !
Old 10-18-2006, 04:48 PM
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If the car has the L36 engine with the composite upper manifold, you can not escape the possible upper intake failure.

sorry...

We can tell you how to fix it the best way possible though.
Old 10-18-2006, 04:49 PM
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Originally Posted by BillBoost37
If the car has the L36 engine with the composite upper manifold, you can not escape the possible upper intake failure.

sorry...

We can tell you how to fix it the best way possible though.
97 SSEi baby!!! (zero antifreeze in the oil test )
Old 10-18-2006, 04:51 PM
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Also, never underestimate the lower intake gaskets. They're just as prone to failure as the UIM.
Old 10-18-2006, 04:57 PM
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mine HAS been replaced a few years ago am I ok ? Is this a repair I can make ? What to look for when failing either upper or lower,thanjs
Old 10-18-2006, 05:08 PM
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From what we may be recently learning, no year of the L36 engine is completely immune from the UIM/LIM failure. It is believed that in 1999 (I think), the UIM was improved, but we have been starting to see failures on 2000+ Bonnevilles. I would assume that the UIM failure is still possible on any 2000+ model, no matter if it is a Pontiac, Buick, or Chevrolet.

As for your current Bonne, just keep a close watch on the coolant, but I am assuming that at your mileage, fresh LIM/UIM gaskets and a check of the UIM couldn't hurt.
Old 10-18-2006, 07:45 PM
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Metal LIM gaskets, the Dillion Intake and the Buttermore EGR are the best solution as or right now
Old 10-18-2006, 10:28 PM
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Please read this Techinfo article: http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/...e=article&k=38

I think that starting in 2004, the composite upper was replaced with aluminum, and I believe these newer engines carry a new RPO code other than L36. Someone will chime in to verify. The problem certainly does exist for '95-'03 L36 engines. And that'* a lot of vehicles.
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