3100 SFI lifespan?

[f_399]

3100 SFI gasket lifespan

 

i have 140,000 miles and have not replaced any form of gasket (whatever gasket is faulty for our engine)

 

i would just like to know when your gaskets failed?

 

havent had any major problems

-water pump

-alternator

-crank pulley sensor

 

thats about it

 

i keep hearing horror stories about the 3100 but mine has been reliable (knock on wood)

[Brian P]

I see 3100's/3400's with lower intake gasket failures anywhere from 100k and up. Also I seem to see a lot more N-bodies (with the 3100 AND 3400 in the later years) than any other platform. That's probably just because there's more N-bodies around. Are you sure your gaskets weren't replaced already? I bought my CS with 94k miles and someone had already been inside the engine and changed the gaskets (did a real half-assed job too) However my mom's old '95 CS had the original gaskets even until we sold it with 135k. It's hit or miss with those lower intake gaskets, but there's a good chance it will fail at some point.

[THe_DeTAiL3R]

I have about 138k miles on my engine although I have no idea if they've ever been replaced. I change my coolant about once a year and do my own oil so I take samples (ie put some in clear waterbottle and let it sit). So far so good.. **knocking on wood**

Wish I hadn't bought the damn car, it's slow I should have forked out a little more for something with series II 3800.

[f_399]

bought the car with 47,000 miles, i doubt it was changed

[jeremy]

my original lower intake gaskets were still on my '97 cutty when I sold her with ~120K and they were perfectly fine

[Canada]

Any 3x00 with 100k since its last intake gasket change is leaking....it may be nothing major (gooh covered internals)....but the idea is to change the gaskets BEFORE they start seriously leaking. Coolant is BAD on bearings.

[SigEpCutlass]

haven't had a problem yet at just about 90k now. However, I think they were replaced under a recall or when they released the new gaskets to replace the plastic ones the had originally.

[Canada]

There has never been a recall for the intake gaskets.......recalls are only for safety. However, they may have been replaced under warranty.

[SigEpCutlass]

There has never been a recall for the intake gaskets.......recalls are only for safety. However, they may have been replaced under warranty.

 

Duh! Yea, it was under warranty then. Wow I sure as hell had a brainfart when I wrote that. lol

[Dannymik]

I traded in my Cutlass with the 3100 in her at 83K or so...the lower intake leaked a little, but only about 1/2 - 3/4 quarts in between oil changes...no biggie at all. I would also like to say that my Cutlass was m most reliable car I owned thus far(I can't count my Grand Prix yet since I've only owned her a little over 10 months). I give the 3100 a thumbs up except it could use a little more balls !

[94CutlassSLCoupe]

The valve cover gaskets on my shitty ass black plastic valve covers are leaking...with 30k on the clock...

 

I think my oil pump drive seal might be leaking too.

 

On my sister's '94 CS 3100...the LIM Gasket went at about 70k...started sucking oil out of the valley and into the intake tract...replaced that and the crappy black valve covers at the same time...that thing is the cats ass...3k and the oil level never goes down!

[f_399]

i use what gm says, dex cool

 

does type of oil affect this gasket failure? or maintenance or does it just go no matter what?

[Brian P]

The valve cover gaskets on my shitty ass black plastic valve covers are leaking...with 30k on the clock...

 

 

those plastic valve covers WERE recalled. Not sure if they'd honor it now, but you have a good chance considering your mileage.

[19Cutlass94]

Mines got 85,xxx on it and the gaskets have never been replaced and it doesnt leak oil.

[cutlassdude96]

mine went out twice

[3pt1lumina]

in my 01 Malibu's 3100 the lower gaskets went at 27k.

in my dads 97 Lumina's 3100 the lower gaskets went at 51k, 69k, 109k.

 

 

If that doesnt suck, I dont know what does. :?

[f_399]

man 140K and nothing yet

 

got it at 40K

 

do you guys drive the cars hard?

 

http://www.w-body.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=30734&highlight=

[3pt1lumina]

man 140K and nothing yet

 

got it at 40K

 

do you guys drive the cars hard?

 

http://www.w-body.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=30734&highlight=

 

 

naw we drive them gentle, I think I might start beating the crap out of them and see if they last longer?

[THe_DeTAiL3R]

do you guys drive the cars hard?

 

 

Define "hard"..

[Brian P]

in my 01 Malibu's 3100 the lower gaskets went at 27k.

in my dads 97 Lumina's 3100 the lower gaskets went at 51k, 69k, 109k.

 

 

If that doesnt suck, I dont know what does. :?

 

That sounds like the mechanic fucked up on that one. Overtorque those bolts and the gaskets fall apart pretty quick like that. GM said some cars had the intake bolts overtorqued from the factory.

[3pt1lumina]

in my 01 Malibu's 3100 the lower gaskets went at 27k.

in my dads 97 Lumina's 3100 the lower gaskets went at 51k, 69k, 109k.

 

 

If that doesnt suck, I dont know what does. :?

 

That sounds like the mechanic fucked up on that one. Overtorque those bolts and the gaskets fall apart pretty quick like that. GM said some cars had the intake bolts overtorqued from the factory.

 

 

and a chevy dealer did the work on the first 2 intake manifold gaskets on my dads Lumina!! good thing my dad got the extended warranty on the car so those were covered.

[ns87]

Our old Ciera Wagon had the gasket fail at 67k, and seized up the engine.

[f_399]

i have gone 140,000 (100,000 was mine coz i bought it at 40,000) and no gasket failure yet

 

what are early symptoms

[sl3196]

My cutlass's went out around 90k and drove it to 150k without having to replace it again.

 

Friend's alero (3400) had it go out at around 30k. (still good at 75k)

[Donutboy97]

the gaskets on my 97 monte (3100) went at about 100,000 mi. the lower Intake on my 01 monte (3400) went at 35,000. Early symptoms are loss of coolant and a gain of fluid in your oil pan. Thats it.