hi
I have a 1998 lumina with the 3.1 v6. It has 207,000 miles . a few weeks ago the cam broke. I was just driving and it stalled and wouldn't start and backfired. I was hoping it was the timing chain, but after looking in the oil cap and watching , you could see when the engine was cranked one side moved and the other didn't.
I received 2 quotes to replace the engine. one from a jasper dealer for $4200
and one from a chevy dealer for $4500. that'* kind of a lot of $$$ I think.
the car is not in the best shape body wise , but it is solid, and the interior is in great shape. I don't think it justifies that kind of money to fix though.
I really like the car though. im looking around trying to find someone to fix on the side, but haven't yet.
thank you for any thoughts or advice on the problems .
eddie

Yeah both of thows quotes are for more than the car is worth. I suggest hitting craigslist and try finding a good used motor or a wrecked doner car for cheep. I bought a complete 350 for my truck a few years ago for 300 bucks and it'* still running strong. Even a reputable wrecking yard will give you a 90 day warranty if you buy a used engine through them.

there are a ton of 3.1'*, you should be able to find a decent one cheap in the junk yard

I agree with Justin. Millions of those engines. You could probably have a fully dressed engine for about $300 or so. It depends on the junkyard.

I guess I will look for a low mileage one. if I can get one like you said about $300 and installed for a price ..... this might work. the reason I looked a remanufactured was I was just looking for a price, and I wasn't sure about the 3.1 being used. what is the highest mileage I should avoid?

Goal is to find the engine with the lowest miles/lowest price.

Usually what happens when you call a junkyard and give them your make/model etc, they will tell you how many of those "engines" are in the yard. They may tell you 5 of them ran when they came in, and then will tell you to come look at them yourself or may even tell you the mileage on each one. All yards vary. And then their is a delivery fee to the shop that'* doing the work, plus a core charge on your engine. And...the price may fluctuate everyday based on how many of those particular engines are in the yard.

I too recommend a junk yard, too many times I have been burnt. Can't trust anyone wanting to make a quick buck. Also need to check the condition of the motor. Pull a valve cover and the oil pan and check for sludge. Hate to put a engine in twice due to junk yard error.

well I found a guy who can get an engine for $450 and install it for $900. that'* what I have so far. he'* been doing mechanic work on the side for years has a website and ref'*. said I could get an engine myself ... so far the engines I have found are on the car-parts.com site and that'* about the price of which he said he could get me one.
whats the highest mileage engine I should go up to?

Around 110 to 115 thousand would be safe. I wouldn't go above 150 if you can help it.

i would agree that is ideal if it under 100 its been sitting too much and if its over 150 it too wore out to bother with