Newer 3.1s - Reliable?
07-01-2005, 12:55 PM
#11
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Originally Posted by toastedoats
i had one in my buick century.. granted, i beat the H*** out of it.. but mine needed an intake gasket, head gasket, waterpump, and had a nice lifter-rap at about 75k miles..
About the head bolts.. i was pretty sure that there wasnt heli-coils, but they used bolts made out of a spring steel that couldnt or atleast shouldnt be reused?? But replaced instead.. i could be wrong
About the head bolts.. i was pretty sure that there wasnt heli-coils, but they used bolts made out of a spring steel that couldnt or atleast shouldnt be reused?? But replaced instead.. i could be wrong
we worked on a 3100, went to torque the rocker arm bolt and nothing... The helicoil came out....LMAO... Good thing it was on the front head...
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07-04-2005, 12:18 AM
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So...
I have a question - Do the newer 3.1s have fewer chronic problems than the same year (95-99) 3.8s? I have a N/A '93 Bonne, and that revision of the venerable 3.8 is one of the most reliable, trouble-free engines in the world, as attested to by many within and without this community. I am one of the aforementioned; I'm not very easy on my car, and she just won't die. I just want to know if the 3.1 is up to this level, because I know, based on what I've heard from members on this board, that the mid to late-90'* varients of the 3.8 just aren't. Anyways, thanks again for the advice, guys
I have a question - Do the newer 3.1s have fewer chronic problems than the same year (95-99) 3.8s? I have a N/A '93 Bonne, and that revision of the venerable 3.8 is one of the most reliable, trouble-free engines in the world, as attested to by many within and without this community. I am one of the aforementioned; I'm not very easy on my car, and she just won't die. I just want to know if the 3.1 is up to this level, because I know, based on what I've heard from members on this board, that the mid to late-90'* varients of the 3.8 just aren't. Anyways, thanks again for the advice, guys
07-04-2005, 08:43 AM
#13
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I have seen a few blow up.... But this has a lot to do with owner disregaurd more than anything... If the car is using coolant it has to be going somewhere correct? But the owner just keeps driving it, all the while it still has the coolant consumption problem.. Some time later the engine starts to knock and drops a rod.... Hmmmmm how did that happen....
Intake gaskets went bad and the leak was not visible as it was internal... Destroyed the bottom end...
The 3100 is a very good motor... I would look for a 96 and up 3100 powered car... when you drive it or another make sure it starts quietly, if it has any lifter tap at startup make sure it goes away very quickly...
Most of these motors if take care of will be quiet, smooth and run pretty good...
Also pop off the oil cap and look in, is should not be black at all if it has had its oil changes... Should be a very light brown color inside, if its nice and clean with a hint of color, then this car has had oil changes...
I'll say this... I personally would buy a 3100 powered car... If I was going to get a w Body I would most likely get the 96-97 Cutlass Supreme SL I think it is.... I kinda like those cars better than the 94-96 GP or the Lumina...
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Intake gaskets went bad and the leak was not visible as it was internal... Destroyed the bottom end...
The 3100 is a very good motor... I would look for a 96 and up 3100 powered car... when you drive it or another make sure it starts quietly, if it has any lifter tap at startup make sure it goes away very quickly...
Most of these motors if take care of will be quiet, smooth and run pretty good...
Also pop off the oil cap and look in, is should not be black at all if it has had its oil changes... Should be a very light brown color inside, if its nice and clean with a hint of color, then this car has had oil changes...
I'll say this... I personally would buy a 3100 powered car... If I was going to get a w Body I would most likely get the 96-97 Cutlass Supreme SL I think it is.... I kinda like those cars better than the 94-96 GP or the Lumina...
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07-05-2005, 09:31 PM
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Went to go look at it today. I like it A nice car, with very few problems, and the seller (a mechanic who says he'* selling it for a friend) said they think the seller might be willing to go down to only $2900 for the thing! Gonna call tomorrow and ask about the VIN, get that run through Carfax, as well as see what the applicable taxes and such will be. Also need to schedule an inspection by my mechanic, who conveniently enough has his shop not 5 minutes away! A few questions for you guys, though, for ***** and giggles. Here goes:
-The leather is a little hard and beat up, at least on the driver'* seat. It isn't too bad, but I was wondering if there'* anything I can do to make the seats feel a little nicer? The headrests in those things suck, I found out, but luckily it'* not that big of a deal Wish I could change 'em, though. Can I do that?
-How soon should I do the intake gaskets? How hard are they to do? It'* a '97 with a 3.1 in it, btw.
-Anything else I should get done after I assume ownership (assuming everything works out okay)?
Please, if there'* any useful info you guys who've had Cuttys can think of, let me know. I think this may finally be the one! Assuming nothing unexpected happens, that is...
A nice car, with very few problems, and the seller (a mechanic who says he'* selling it for a friend) said they think the seller might be willing to go down to only $2900 for the thing! Gonna call tomorrow and ask about the VIN, get that run through Carfax, as well as see what the applicable taxes and such will be. Also need to schedule an inspection by my mechanic, who conveniently enough has his shop not 5 minutes away! A few questions for you guys, though, for ***** and giggles. Here goes:-The leather is a little hard and beat up, at least on the driver'* seat. It isn't too bad, but I was wondering if there'* anything I can do to make the seats feel a little nicer? The headrests in those things suck, I found out, but luckily it'* not that big of a deal
Wish I could change 'em, though. Can I do that?-How soon should I do the intake gaskets? How hard are they to do? It'* a '97 with a 3.1 in it, btw.
-Anything else I should get done after I assume ownership (assuming everything works out okay)?
Please, if there'* any useful info you guys who've had Cuttys can think of, let me know. I think this may finally be the one! Assuming nothing unexpected happens, that is...
07-05-2005, 09:33 PM
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Oh yeah, and Don, it sounded like it had a little tapping sound of some kind when it started up, but it went away after 30 seconds or so. Is that bad?
07-05-2005, 10:29 PM
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Originally Posted by Krazy Kyle
Oh yeah, and Don, it sounded like it had a little tapping sound of some kind when it started up, but it went away after 30 seconds or so. Is that bad?
07-05-2005, 10:34 PM
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Originally Posted by Krazy Kyle
Went to go look at it today. I like it A nice car, with very few problems, and the seller (a mechanic who says he'* selling it for a friend) said they think the seller might be willing to go down to only $2900 for the thing! Gonna call tomorrow and ask about the VIN, get that run through Carfax, as well as see what the applicable taxes and such will be. Also need to schedule an inspection by my mechanic, who conveniently enough has his shop not 5 minutes away! A few questions for you guys, though, for ***** and giggles. Here goes:
-The leather is a little hard and beat up, at least on the driver'* seat. It isn't too bad, but I was wondering if there'* anything I can do to make the seats feel a little nicer? The headrests in those things suck, I found out, but luckily it'* not that big of a deal Wish I could change 'em, though. Can I do that?
-How soon should I do the intake gaskets? How hard are they to do? It'* a '97 with a 3.1 in it, btw.
-Anything else I should get done after I assume ownership (assuming everything works out okay)?
Please, if there'* any useful info you guys who've had Cuttys can think of, let me know. I think this may finally be the one! Assuming nothing unexpected happens, that is...
A nice car, with very few problems, and the seller (a mechanic who says he'* selling it for a friend) said they think the seller might be willing to go down to only $2900 for the thing! Gonna call tomorrow and ask about the VIN, get that run through Carfax, as well as see what the applicable taxes and such will be. Also need to schedule an inspection by my mechanic, who conveniently enough has his shop not 5 minutes away! A few questions for you guys, though, for ***** and giggles. Here goes:-The leather is a little hard and beat up, at least on the driver'* seat. It isn't too bad, but I was wondering if there'* anything I can do to make the seats feel a little nicer? The headrests in those things suck, I found out, but luckily it'* not that big of a deal
Wish I could change 'em, though. Can I do that?-How soon should I do the intake gaskets? How hard are they to do? It'* a '97 with a 3.1 in it, btw.
-Anything else I should get done after I assume ownership (assuming everything works out okay)?
Please, if there'* any useful info you guys who've had Cuttys can think of, let me know. I think this may finally be the one! Assuming nothing unexpected happens, that is...
I'd probably flush the coolant system and tranny too, unless the fluids seem to be clean and the right colors. My Cutlass sat for months and the coolant was brown so that was a no-brainer. I flushed the tranny as a preventitive measure and I probably didn't have to. Better safe than sorry.
Good Luck!
07-06-2005, 08:12 AM
#18
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Originally Posted by Krazy Kyle
Oh yeah, and Don, it sounded like it had a little tapping sound of some kind when it started up, but it went away after 30 seconds or so. Is that bad?
Even my 3800 has a wee bit of that lifter tap..Sounds like a nice car..
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