I'm one of them. Cost me an engine and tranny!

CHANGE THE OIL!!! Please!!!

Willwren,
I wish I would have found this site earlier in my searches... you guys are giving me hope again.
I'll drain the oil as soon as I can get out of work. My thought was if I can just get it running, I'd take care of all those fluidly things then.
The passion about replacing the UIM is aparent. Even though it looked to be in pretty good shape. I can't tell if there is a leak or not.
I've already replaced the 4 gasket under the lower and had the lower cleaned. Of course I hadn't seen this so I got the gaskets that were available (Victor I think).

I'll be back in the garage tonight... thanks again.

Buy Fel-Pro and do the lowers again. Otherwise the same TYPE of failure can happen.

That UIM has eroded inside where the EGR stovepipe enters it. It cannot be repaired or re-used.

Remove the EGR stovepipe and look in there. You'll see where the plastic eroded and crumbled away. I'm fortunate enough to have a nice supercharger (or two) sitting where your manifold does, but I've seen MANY of these failures on the 95-99 L36 in the 3 years I've been here.

Most folks will not want to take the time to do it, and will opt to buy a new Dorman UIM for $150, but most UIMs CAN be repaired for as little as $20. And with a reduced diameter stovepipe, and stainless steel sleeve installed in the EGR passage, the UIM is better than new.

See how here:

http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/...ic.php?t=33565

OK... I've located a Dorman UIM locally ($170) with gasket kit and misc. brackets and will be changing oil this evening. I'll even document with pictures.
Right now the car is completely back together. Is there anything else I can try during the teardown to verify that this is the extent of my current dilemna? ... I probably won't be able to tear down and rebuild tonight but it certainly won't take as long as the last time.


This has really been a PIA but if I can help out some other poor soul then maybe I'll get a little satisfaction out of it too ( and save a book of car payments! )
Nim

I recommend replacing the lower gaskets, as Willwren suggested.

Furthermore, I suggest replacing the coolant by pass elbow. It connects between the belt tensioner and lower intake manifold. You can get the replacement at the dealer for $7. They're known to crack with age. It'* good insurance to change it now because the only way to do so in the future is to remove the lower intake manifold.

Otherwise, it sounds like you're well on your way.

I'm torn on the LIM gaskets.... I just hate the idea of trashing something new... will let ya know... but I did already replace the plastic elbow.... mine was deteriorated enough that it either disinitegrated or broke when I removed the tensioner the first time. ....
thanks Nim

Nim... Nobody here has used the Victor'* before. Not saying they're a bad gasket, but they're not proven for the LIM gasket on the L36.

I suggest you spend the $30 or so and pick up a fresh set of Felpros. Most Advance Auto stores keep them in stock.

I replaced my first UIM and lower gaskets at 77,000. I used Felpros all the way through. I had to tear back into the UIM again at 120,000 or so. At that time I also pulled the lower back off just to see how the Felpros were holding up. After ~60,000 miles the Felpros looked brand new still. I still changed them just for peice of mind.

For $30 and an extra hour of time, you know what I'd be doing!

I couldn't agree more. This is a delicate thing (if anything on a 3800 is delicate, it must be this). Take no chances on anything above the block and heads. Fel-Pro is proven here. Victor is not. We know other off-brands are inferior from experience.

Seriously consider it.