Re: GM V6 Engine Warning - True Sad Story (Long)

> > > > > > > > So I see GM has some loons that think bad stuff should never happen to > them also. I thought that was reserved for people grousing about > Chrysler minivan transmissions :-p > > > > > This is nothing new. That engine is derived from the old 2.8 which was used in > > S-10s, Citations/Celebrity and in Jeep products in the 1980s. I had a 1984 S10 > > that ran fine until the intake gasket failed - at 217,000 miles. Burned up the > > motor in a matter of 30 miles. > > And the Chevrolet-designed 2.8/3.1/3.4 is basically a low-cost "throw > away" engine anyway. Its amazingly tough for how simplistic and cheap it > is, at least if you don't abuse it. Over-rev it a few times and you're > guaranteed to have a connecting rod make a new ventilation hole in the > side of the block, though :-p If you want a 300,000 mile GM engine that > will tolerate abuse, get a Buick 3800 v6. > >
Reply to
DL
Loading thread data ...

"DL" wrote

Do you mean like this broken 3100 camshaft?

formatting link
I'd say it's probably cheaper to build, but they hold up quite well as long as the coolant in the oil doesn't turn to a nasty brown sludge that causes lack of lubrication to the cam bearings which in turn siezes the camshaft to the bearings and "snap", there goes the hollow tube.

We rarely (read "never") replace camshafts in these engines except for these broken ones....and usually the engine is toast by the time the cam breaks.

Ian

Reply to
shiden_kai

Yes, probably look like this one. When I get my deceased engine from the shop, I will be able to tell for sure.

Reply to
DL

The oil doesn't look too watery on the dip stick. May be further down in the sump is different. When I tried starting it, the engine actually tried to run, but it then stumbled and made a heavy pumping sound and stalled right after. The oil pressure light remained on the whole time. The theory is that the camshaft has broken into two pieces. Two of the cylinders still run on one piece, but the other piece is not turning, so no oil pump pressure. I don't know if the computer shuts down the engine in absence of oil pressure or the engine just can't run with only 2 cylinders. The vehicle is still waiting at the repair shop. If it is easy to take the valve cover off, I will try to go there and confirm how many of the valves are moving. Can you tell me how easy to take the valve cover off these things ?

Reply to
DL

So you didn't check your coolant for 40,000 miles?

And usually, when the vehicle is low on coolant, the temp sensor wont give a reading. Something you notice when you look at your gauges.

A majority of cars do have slow coolant leaks. It does very from car to car. And some cars have a perfect tight system. So thats a reason you should check it atleast once a week to a month.

And im not sure how far you can get with GM. Because you are out of warranty, and the bulletin isn't really considered a recall.

If i was you. I would look in the papers for an engine. I prob can find one from 200-500 bucks. Ebay sometimes has collision shops selling them. Get a mechanic to install it for less then a 1000.

Reply to
Erik

That's a bad idea. If you block payment to the shop, they'll just slap a mechanic's lien on the car and take it. They can then either auction it, or more likely just sell it for what they've got in it dollar wise, which would likely be a lot less than it's worth.

JazzMan

Reply to
JazzMan

Apparently this well respected engine has some weaknesses as well.

Recent posts and accounts indicate that the GenII

3800 is not quite as bulletproof as we thought.

Reply to
Larry Smith

Apparently this well respected engine has some weaknesses as well.

Recent posts and accounts indicate that the GenII

3800 is not quite as bulletproof as we thought.

Reply to
Larry Smith

Apparently this well respected engine has some weaknesses as well.

Recent posts and accounts indicate that the GenII

3800 is not quite as bulletproof as we thought.

Reply to
Larry Smith

Apparently this well respected engine has some weaknesses as well.

Recent posts and accounts indicate that the GenII

3800 is not quite as bulletproof as we thought.

Reply to
Larry Smith

I've had that same type of experience with Chrysler as well. I've gotten help with a head gasket replacement (free) on a 97 Neon and a 50% credit on a repaint job to fix clearcoat problems on a 87 Caravan...both were past the warrantee period and all it took was to ask!! In fact the Caravan was 8 years old at the time! GM doesn't seem to offer "good will" help to their customers very often (in these cases of obvious factory defects) based on what people are saying in this NG.

Reply to
James C. Reeves

Hondas suck big time. Anything from asia does. Even my sneakers. Hondas should stick with small engines and motorcycles.

If hondas didn't suck, then their newsgroup wouldn't be filled with mechanical problems. How realiable is a timing belt with an interference engine?

And if you reverse charges, you will prob end up in court. Because if they did fix the problem and did provide a service. Your not paying the fee for those services which is stealing.

I cant remember if you called GM. But their tech number is a lot better then the dealers. Because dealers are more scam artists, no matter who the manufac are. Same goes with a lot of repair shops. And the corporate will force the dealer to fix the problem.

Otherwise, a lawyer is a lot better to give you advice on legal matters.

Reply to
Erik

Don't you mean "gaskets"? At least Honda knows how to make a decent engine. GM knows, but their accountants won't let them.

Reply to
Rich

maybe in their street cars, but not in Formula 1.

Reply to
Brad Clarke

Of course its a bad idea. What else would you expect from someone who suggests getting a Honduh?

:-p

Reply to
Steve

IF Honda knows how, then why don't they build one? Anything you have to rev to 7500 RPM in daily driving doesn't qualify as a "decent engine."

Reply to
Steve

do you really believe this?

Reply to
Uncle Mike

I can drive mine all day and not break 2500 if I don't want to.

Reply to
Stephen Bigelow

"Brad Clarke" wrote

Not at the moment, but they dominated Formula One a few years back. It could happen again fairly quickly.

Ian

Reply to
shiden_kai

MotorsForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.