Is there any difference in the 93 Chevy Lumina and the 2001 Century Buicks engines? I heard that the Buicks have problems with intake gaskets and piston slaps. My Lumina makes a similar noise and has 125k on it. It goes a way in a few minutes. I have no problems with the intake manifold gasket. I am getting a 2001 Buick soon for $8k with 14k's on it. Are the engines pretty much the same on both of these cars?
Umm... There's a big difference between the 3.1L and the 3100 (3.1L) engines. Although I must say I have found the 3100 more reliable than the
3.1L, gm cars are overall very unreliable (tell me how I know). The 3100 engine in my old Beretta is pretty solid; however, every other accesory around it has gone to waste over time. The list is unfortunately to long ($$$) for me to go into detail... but they do include a heater core, a radiator, alternator, coil pack, various sensors...- JR
Buick and Chevy engines are the same. It has been many years since each GM division made its own engines. There could be some differences from year to year. I have had good luck with my Beretta 3.1L with 133,000 miles. The only problem besides the usual alternator, water pump and AC compressor (normal in Florida) replacement has been a bad ignition module.
"Joseph A. Zupko" wrote:
division made its own engines. There could be some differences from year to year. I have had good luck with my Beretta 3.1L with 133,000 miles. The only problem besides the usual alternator, water pump and AC compressor (normal in Florida) replacement has been a bad ignition module.
Not entirely true. The Buick 3.1 and the Chevy 3.1 "are the same" because Chevrolet builds all GM 3.1 and (and its replacement 3.4) liter engines used in all divisions.
But the 3800 v6 is a Buick engine (whether it comes in a Buick, Pontiac, or Chevy because Buick builds all 3800 engines for GM) and is rather different in fundamental design from the 3.1/3.4. Its also much better overall than the 3.1 or 3.4, although both have intake manifold problems that are different in cause and detail, but both wind up letting coolant into the oil.
"Joseph A. Zupko" wrote
The older engines had some of the same problems as the newer engines. You just didn't hear as much about it back then. The older engines are noisy when cold too, the intakes leak on them too, the oil pump drive o-rings leaked on them too (the new engines pretty much have that fixed up with an updated type of o-ring)... ....etc.
The 2001 engines have intake coolant leaks, and piston slap issues. Other then that...pretty good little motor.
Ian
When you say older engines. How old are you talking about? Is the intake coolant leaks, and piston slap issues a major issue? How come they didn't fix it with the newer models?
Thank you
"Joseph A. Zupko" wrote
In this case, "older" means your 93 vehicle. But the intake problem was also around in the generation of 3.1/2.8 before that. Different intake gasket setup...same problem. Not quite as bad as it is now.....but they still leaked oil quite badly from the front and rear RTV seal.....so you still ended up replacing the intake gasket.
How come they don't fix anything with the newer models? If everything got fixed on the newer models.... how on earth would I be able to make a living and feed my family? Thank goodness that GM phases out engines and other things "just" when they get them perfected.
Ian
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