Making my car last well over 200K.....
 

My car has 179,000 miles on it, and I am starting to get worried. I need this car to last a few more years, probably another 2, and hopefully get well over 200K out of it.

So far, it runs pretty good, burns no oil, shifts suprisingly smooth, sometimes it feels like brand new. The only main issue is a rattling cat and a bad oil leak from the rear main seal.

The intake gasket/manifold has been replaced as well.

Are these cars/transmissions about to get a good 200K+ out of them?

of course , ymmv, but......some don't , some do. Your rear main seal leak is probably the rear cover plate is either loose or the gasket has cracks or both. Can only be fixed by removing the tranny. Alot of people , including me, got over 200K on original motors and trannies.

My 94 SSEi was used by the previous owner to tow a huge yacht way past the car's manufacturer recommended towing capacity. It had 2 transmission rebuilds. Otherwise, the cars last a long, long time. Some here have broken 300K on original parts. Have fun, and take really, really good care of your car with regular fluid changes, tuneups, and the like.

My 90 SSE got over 300,000 miles on the original motor and tranny, and I'd say it could have went another 100,000 more. I never changed the tranny fluid nor did the timing chain. I don't see why yours can't go past 300,000.

Good luck.

That doesn't suprise me, I believe the transmission in the 87-91 (4TH..somethin) is better then the 4T60 or whatever is standard in the 92-95. I see more LN3 powered cars (Pontiacs, Oldsmobiles and Buicks) on the road chuggin along then I do any combination of the L27/4T60's

While scheduled and preventative maintenance is key for any car to last a long time, there are *some* modifications that can be done to increase reliability. A transmission cooler will help keep trans temps lower, which will stretch a little more life out of it. A combustion chamber cleaner, like Sea-Foam, will dissolve carbon out of the chambers, helping efficiency (that's not a modification, but it still helps).

You replaced your intake and LIM gaskets. Why? Preventative maintenance or failure? If failure was the reason, keep an extra vigilant ear or two on the motor. DinoDex (that's my own word) to bearings is like what Raid is to roaches, but slower in the end result.

Jim, that trans is just the standard 4T60, or if you want to use the old designation, 440-T4.

just an fyi i was told my 90 sse has a timing chain not belt.
does that make i last longer ??

Yes, they are a chain, not sure about it lasting longer, but I would think so. I replaced it in my '89 SE only as a preventative measure and was glad I did. I sold my '89 last year with over 250,000 miles on it and the guy still drives it all the time.

My '93 SSEi currently has 194,000 miles on it, and I wouldn't hesitate to drive it anywhere.. and I mean that 8)

Vin C timing chains typically last 75-125k miles... much past the 125 and you risk it breaking.

I've seen several H/C body cars in junkyards with well over 300k miles on them and I have heard of one car with 350k miles on the original tranny and engine.

Just baby it, and the car will treat ya right and last for a long time.

Well that depends a lot on the year of the 3800 as there were design changes to the Timing chain set up.... The 91 Vin C actually used all of the same parts the new at the time L27 Did.. I replaced the timing chain in mine at 80,000ish as I had to go in for the interrupter... The chain was streched... The car is at 137-138k now.... I just love these old engines.... GM seriously overbuilt them back in the day...

I don't think GM expected to see them still chugging along at 200-300k and 20 years later.... Back about 5 years ago or so GM Knew they had made a mistake with the old 3800's as people were just not buying new cars as the 3800 ran as good as it did off the showroom floor... Its funny how many 3800 LN3's are still on the road to this very day... They just won't quit..


Now as for the Towing the Yacht.... He may have been towing a Good sized boat as I know the Bonnevilles can do so... But not a Yacht, Maybe a little exaggerated??

The Transmissions in these cars are designed to move a 3000-4000 Lb car, and the Max Limit for these transmissions is 6000 Lbs Total weight..... And even them you are cooking the crap out of the trans.... I have seen 60-E's tow some pretty good sized boats here in FL, But it was an extreme struggle and I thought the owner was the worst kind of idiot in the book... Living near the River/Ocean, I am always amazed at what people will try to move with their family car... :lol:

marquette97
You may have to yank the Trans and give the rear main plate bolts a retorquing and if you feel the rear main is leaking you cat at that time replace that as well...

After doing that I don't see any reason why the car wouldn't give you 200K easily..

I only got 161k out of my engine as I was always hot rodding the car and beating the ever loving Piss out of it... I never thought the original engine would make it to 100k let along the 161k that it did get to.. And We are talking 6000 Rpms shifts all of the time.. And the car had Mad City Miles on it... I'll bet if I would have been better tot he first motor it would have provided me with 250-300K... I actually had no rod or main bearing issues with the motor... The wrist pin bushings simply started to wear... Happens...

So take care of the few issues you have and I don't see a reason why the car wouldn't get you to 200k ;)

__________________
Best Car Insurance | Auto Protection Today | FREE Trade-In Quote