QuestionHey Wayne, 2001 Malibu, 3.1 L, 141,000. Ok I'm not looking for a fancy fix-it answer. Heck I only paid $600 a year ago.
First problem was last November when it had no heat. Had thermostat changed which cost $95 for labor because some stupid engineer decided to put it behind the exhaust cross-over pipe. genious thinking there.
January....Next problem to show up was the famous brown goop in the oil. I'm old enough to know its getting coolant in the oil because a gasket is going bad. Mechanic confirmed lower intake gasket gone. Cost would be $400-$600. UMMMM no way only paid $600 to start with.
Late January, Started changing the oil every 1800 miles keep ahead of the coolant leak.
Now the darn thing sounds like heck. Rattling noise in engine. Old enough to know the noise is either cam bearings or rod bearings. Which is due to the coolant in the oil right? Noise is mostly at idle waiting for stop lights. But can hear it driving. Oddly tho, the car has lots of power. Goes home on the interstate at 65 fine. The drive home is up a mile long steep hill and the car excels up all the way.
My wife wants me to fix the thing. That would require a rebuild of the engine right? cost $1500+. Well don't have 1500 so.
Question....what can i do to extend the life? Chemical additives etc??? Added STP oil treatment (wife's idea) which did nothing to help. Would heavier oil help? The guys at the factory are betting on what will break first.... drop a rod or broken cam or a split ring??? I vote on the dropped rod.
Your opinion on junk yard engines? We have self serve junk yard here. Remove your own parts at way lower price. Any engine there is $98 remove it yourself (with any number of helpful friends) take it home. Refundable if it doesn't work. Wife said, "go to Vince's get another motor". But whats the chance of getting a good one. Lots of 3.1 l in there but someone took it there because it went bad.
ORRRR... put ad in paper for sale 2001 malibu for $1000 let next guy worry about it???????????
wayne
AnswerHey,
Yeah, that sucks.
There may not be any bearings out of it because GM matched their crappy intake gaskets with excellent bearings that seem to repel the water. Ford 3.8l can't handle so much as an ounce but I have seen gm's come in that the oil level goes up when you add coolant!
Try and flush it out with Seafoam. Do three or four oil changes (use 3 liters of oil to one can of seafoam, you don't have to top the motor right up its a waste. You might just have stuck lifters from the water intrusion. Or it might be junk.
Chance of getting a good used 3.1..... Excellent. They are a great engine except for the headgaskets. Check the whole car out. IF your ABS light is on, SRS comes on once in a while, shifts funny out of 3rd, can;t remember when you did the brakes last and needs 2 tires it isnt worth the time and effort.
If you don't need anything but the engine it might not be a bad idea. YOu should be able to pick up a 3.1 cheap as there are lots out there.
w
