I have a 2004 Bonneville SE with 98K miles miles on it (I bought it used, a year ago), and it looks like I've been bitten by the Dex-Cool / Gasket problem.

The vehicle, as a whole, is in excellent condition, and is otherwise mechanically very sound. I've been thrilled with it for the past year, and expect to easily be able to keep it for at least 5 years. And then the failure occurred last week.

Five years ago I put a Jasper remanufactured engine in an old Pontiac Sunbird I had restored, and had great luck with that little 2.0L 4-banger for 4 years before getting the Bonneville. I now plan to drop a Jasper reman'd 3800 into my Bonneville. (Hey, as long as I'm going to pay labor for the Dex-Cool / Gasket fix, I might as well pay the same labor for a whole new engine. The condition of the rest of the car is very much worth it.)

Anyone ever used a 3800 from Jasper? I had such good luck with the Sunbird'* engine that I have no confidence problems going with a Jasper for the Bonneville, but before I commit the funds, I figure I should ask if anyone'* used a Jasper 3800, specifically.

i dont have any experience with jasper but i would think if you did the labor yourself, you could do all the gaskets and even the manifold if it cracked for way less than it would take to have the engine replaced. even if you had a shop do it your talking like 100-200 for parts and a days labor compared to thousands for a engine unless its alot less than i think for the engine

What exactly is the gasket problem? We replaced the LIM gasket on a 2001 Bonny SSEi at 90k miles. Now at 157k miles and running like new. Are you sure you need to replace the engine because of a gasket?

I have neither the time, tools, talent, nor space to perform a teardown and/or rebuild, myself. Additionally, I dont offer myself any kind of warranty.

The labor on a $25 gasket is $1500, and in the event coolant has damaged crankshaft or rod bearings, the possibility exists that further catastrophic breakdowns are waiting to happen. I plan to hang on to the behicle for at least another 5 years - it'* in that good shape - that the 100,000 mile / 3 year warranty on both parts and labor, is very attractive. I plan on financing the job with a small loan from my 401(k), which I pay back "to myself.". When the loan is paid back in a year, I'll have a motor that will have only cost me the interest (at prime, on a $4000 loan, paid off in one year.) New motors dont come any cheaper than that.

Changing out the gaskets really isn't that hard to do. Takes me about 2 or 3 hours and I charge about $250. Gaskets are around $100 plus fluids and plugs. No special tools needed other then a inch pound torque wrench. We have a write up here on how to do it. Chances are the engine is fine. Typiclly the cylinder fills with coolant and hydrolocks. But if you must, swapping the engine will give you a great car for many years to come, but wont raise the value of the car when you sell it.

Oh, and the cost for a Jasper reman'd 3800 for an 04 SE is $2440, plus $300 core charge, plus a small pallet charge, and a couple hundred for the install kit (new belts, hoses, etc. Call it 3 Grand, tital A local shop that is in Jasper'* installer network quoted me $4000 installed, tax and shop materials included, for the new motor, installed and out the door. (that even includes having them look everything over after a few dqys to check for leaks, etc., after the install.

Oh, and any remaining portion of the warranty is transferable.

Dude, I love Jasper re-mans. I would do it if I were in the same spot as you.

I had a Jasper 3100 put into my 1996 Lumina and it was a great motor, but the tranny failed later on

What it comes down to is what is the value of the car. Putting a $4000 engine in a car that has a $3500 value isn't worth it. What is the value of the car? Even a salvage yard engine costs over a grand. So I guess for a new engine the price isn't to bad.