wondering what site i might go to to get information on the reliability, average lifespan and any inherent problems with the 3.1 GM V6 such as those in a 99 Monte Carlo. GF is lookin for a car for her daughter and has one in mind but does'nt know about this motor. neither do i. just looking for a good place to start my search since i've never researched anything like this. thanks
www.60degreev6.com aside of the original intake gaskets up to about 2001/2002, which are easy to change and have been revised, they can last forever. if i buy a car with a 3100 and there is no proof the intake gaskets were changed, i take the hour and toss in a new set whether they need it or not.
Good motor. Plan on intake gasket replacement. Plugs/wires at 100K or when the intake gaskets fail, wichever comes first. Good power/mileage on this motor. Regular oil changes should give 200K miles give or take.
thanks guys. i posted my questions on www.60degreev6.com. thanks for the heads up Patgizz and the info from you both.
I blew one up last year right after I bought it, haha! We put new intake gaskets on it but it was too far gone already. New gaskets and it should be ready to run. These motors like regular oil changes as well. I've been chirping the tires shifting into 2nd with the new motor and with an auto trans.
like they said, intake gaskets are usually crap BUT while you're there with the plenum off, pull the oil pump drive and stick a new o-ring on it. you'll be glad you did as they leak oil pretty good when they get hard...
Thinking that's descended from the 2.8 S10/Camaro 60degree motor. Thinking of saving mine for a track T/modified project. they love to rev, and have a lot of the small block character. The early one I have has iron heads and actually looks like a scaled down small block. Didn't mean to hi-jack the thread, but needed to share.
Got almost 200k on my '94 GP. Still seems solid....replaced the intake gaskets and injector o-rings. Tim D.
Yep, In the tradition of everything that encompasses "GM" and in keeping with the 70+ year tradition that is "GM", the Intake gaskets are designed to fail prematurely which helps promote the premature failure of the engine and the rest of the car -in general- But GM will gladly sell you a new car in two years or hopefully an expensive part 2 or 3 times before you are forced to trade in.... At a Very Good Profit. .....It is all just Planned Obsolescence, or that which is Specifically designed by GM's engineers to fall apart in your hand today whilst making you believe you were responsible for breaking it -Albeit prematurely- - Lest we all be fooled............... Shame on General Motors for inventing the idea of, and building their morals and foundation on the basis of Planned Obsolescence (for the last 70 years)... Quote- "Planned Obsolescence" -Mr Alfred P. Sloan, President and CEO of General Motors beginning 1923 Un Quote" . . .
Moefuzz, dude, that's just capitalism. It sucks, but, whatcha gonna do, vote socialist? Don't think GM was alone in that. Anyway, to the topic at hand: My first car was a 2.8/auto S15 Jimmy. It was completely gutless, but it never died. I may still resurrect the engine into something light and more aerodynamic. I've heard the 3.1 is a lot better than the 2.8 for power. I know that driving my buddy's '95 Lumina was a lot more fun than driving my '86 Jimmy. -Dave
We bought a Lumina euro coupe in 90 with the 3.1. Drove it 240,000 and all we did was change the oil @ 3000. change 3 oil pump drive o-rings, 2 sets of plugs, and 2 crankshift position sensors.
Alfred P. Sloan and GM Were all Alone in Coming Up With the Very Thought And Idea of Planned Obsolescence in the early days, no one else, ....No other persons and no other corporations thought of this......... They Invented it, they Fashioned It, and they still live by it 70 years later. But what are you gonna do??? I don't care what most people will do but I know that I may refuse to support planned obsolescence by not purchasing their product -Not in the last 70 years and not for the next 70 years or until they start designing products that don't just happen to "accidentally" fall apart in your hands (and make you feel guilty that You broke it) Or until they stop building a 'death date' into every piece of every car. Sir, I Humbly respect your opinion .... ....Just my Humble Opinion . .
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