Howdy from Freeland MI
04-23-2006, 12:11 AM
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Howdy from Freeland MI
Hi, Newbie to this forum, in search of advice for my moms 98 Bonnie.
28, Freeland Michigan, Engineer, Computer Guy, handyman...etc etc.
Always a Pontiac Family member, as were my parents.
I've got my 1990 Bonneville LE (my parents old car) with 271,000 miles, and it runs better than my moms 98.
In fact, every time her 1998 breaks down (Monthly), she jumps in and borrows the car from me. I wouldnt trade this car for the world.
Recent news with this car - Not One Accident in its entire life until last week, when some jerk in a 2001 Tahoe cut me off and smashed my front end. - Im still disgusted.
There are other pontiacs in our family, and I'll try to work on my profile and not muddy this thread up.
This is my first post, and I haven't looked through the forums yet for advice of the problems Im having.
I'll give a blip of what I've gone through the last 4 years, and welcome ANY and ALL advice. Meanwhile I'll search the forums too.
I've come to believe the series II 3800 is a total piece of Crap.
At 40K miles, it had the classic upper intake manifold meltdown and Hydrolocked the engine. The dealership "Only fixes whats broke" and replaced the manifold with another GM Upper. 60K miles, Boom - Second Manifold, gone, Car Hydrolocked Again, but this time took out the flywheel, starter and head gaskets.
GM garage again "We only fix whats broke" - They never looked at the bearings despite MULTIPLE requests by my parents and I.
At 88K miles, the Explosion took Place.
My Theory is, When I heard the Bearing Spin and drop to the bottom of the oil pan, with a "Clink" sound, the rod began to slap the crank. Then the rod bolt Nut came loose, then the other bolt followed suit. After babying the car as best as I could, 2 miles from my house, the Rod let go, and blew a Hole in the side of the block.
I have photos for those who want to see a side-loaded piston, busted rod, and blown engine block.
After being treated like Total Crap from the dealerships, and price gouged every time, we were never going back to buy a new car, Or get one serviced at GM.
Ok - Reman motor time, as GM wanted $4500 for a new motor.
Power Pro Reman Engine 5yr/100K mile warranty.
4000 miles into the new engine, the alternator goes south.
Another $1000 repair as the alternator toasted the ECM, and it had to be programmed by the dealership.
Then The Belt Tensioner let go, and shredded the belt.
Another $900 repair
Then the Rack and Pinion inner seals went out, and locked the steering wheel on my mom while she was driving.
Got that fixed Free from work.
Well, $6,000 later, Im still throwing parts at it.
Im Getting Large Amounts of Vacuum in the crankcase, so I believe the Lower Intake Manifold gasket to be shot.
The PCV Valve is vibrating like a buzz saw.
Plus, at 11K miles with the reman motor, Im getting a Lifter Tick.
And AGAIN....with a Napa Aftermarket "Thick Wall" Upper Intake Plenum... Im getting Melting of the PCV Valve tube (That sits on the gasket).
LOTS of oily black carbon in the nylon upper
My Current Crisis is to get this car up and running as soon as possible so I can have my 90 bonnieville back. (People in new cars arent too forgiving to my old 90)
Ive also noted that the torque on the intake manifold bolts per GM direction is too loose.
Any and all advice is welcome and Greatly appreciated!
Thanks for your time.
C
28, Freeland Michigan, Engineer, Computer Guy, handyman...etc etc.
Always a Pontiac Family member, as were my parents.
I've got my 1990 Bonneville LE (my parents old car) with 271,000 miles, and it runs better than my moms 98.
In fact, every time her 1998 breaks down (Monthly), she jumps in and borrows the car from me. I wouldnt trade this car for the world.
Recent news with this car - Not One Accident in its entire life until last week, when some jerk in a 2001 Tahoe cut me off and smashed my front end. - Im still disgusted.
There are other pontiacs in our family, and I'll try to work on my profile and not muddy this thread up.
This is my first post, and I haven't looked through the forums yet for advice of the problems Im having.
I'll give a blip of what I've gone through the last 4 years, and welcome ANY and ALL advice. Meanwhile I'll search the forums too.
I've come to believe the series II 3800 is a total piece of Crap.
At 40K miles, it had the classic upper intake manifold meltdown and Hydrolocked the engine. The dealership "Only fixes whats broke" and replaced the manifold with another GM Upper. 60K miles, Boom - Second Manifold, gone, Car Hydrolocked Again, but this time took out the flywheel, starter and head gaskets.
GM garage again "We only fix whats broke" - They never looked at the bearings despite MULTIPLE requests by my parents and I.
At 88K miles, the Explosion took Place.
My Theory is, When I heard the Bearing Spin and drop to the bottom of the oil pan, with a "Clink" sound, the rod began to slap the crank. Then the rod bolt Nut came loose, then the other bolt followed suit. After babying the car as best as I could, 2 miles from my house, the Rod let go, and blew a Hole in the side of the block.
I have photos for those who want to see a side-loaded piston, busted rod, and blown engine block.
After being treated like Total Crap from the dealerships, and price gouged every time, we were never going back to buy a new car, Or get one serviced at GM.
Ok - Reman motor time, as GM wanted $4500 for a new motor.
Power Pro Reman Engine 5yr/100K mile warranty.
4000 miles into the new engine, the alternator goes south.
Another $1000 repair as the alternator toasted the ECM, and it had to be programmed by the dealership.
Then The Belt Tensioner let go, and shredded the belt.
Another $900 repair
Then the Rack and Pinion inner seals went out, and locked the steering wheel on my mom while she was driving.
Got that fixed Free from work.
Well, $6,000 later, Im still throwing parts at it.
Im Getting Large Amounts of Vacuum in the crankcase, so I believe the Lower Intake Manifold gasket to be shot.
The PCV Valve is vibrating like a buzz saw.
Plus, at 11K miles with the reman motor, Im getting a Lifter Tick.
And AGAIN....with a Napa Aftermarket "Thick Wall" Upper Intake Plenum... Im getting Melting of the PCV Valve tube (That sits on the gasket).
LOTS of oily black carbon in the nylon upper
My Current Crisis is to get this car up and running as soon as possible so I can have my 90 bonnieville back. (People in new cars arent too forgiving to my old 90)
Ive also noted that the torque on the intake manifold bolts per GM direction is too loose.
Any and all advice is welcome and Greatly appreciated!
Thanks for your time.
C
04-23-2006, 04:03 AM
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Hello and welcome.....Well with all the knowlege from people here you should be up and running in no time.....glad to have more people from Michigan......
04-23-2006, 07:41 AM
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Originally Posted by Hans
The series 2 made the wards list for best engine in 20th century. I think you have a lemon
I agree that this car is a Total Lemon, but even with a completely new drivetrain, top to bottom....its still having the problems that the old engine had.
Quite honestly, I dont know what to do.
Today Im going to put the new lower gasket on, clean up all the oil in the upper, and put it back together, and wait for the second engine to blow apart.
I don't have any other choice.
C
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