3800 Series I Issues

[ZeroDCX]

So I know the 3800 Series I isn't exactly plentiful on this board. But do any of you know of it having LIM/UIM issues? I've got oil in my coolant recovery tank, no coolant in the engine oil though. It's been running a hotter than usual (not exactly how much hotter due to the dummy gauge). I'm just hoping this isn't BHG or any sort of head issue. Thanks in advance ... oh and btw, she's got almost 200000 miles, maybe more if that helps.

[alec_b]

Lower intake gaskets, they do go bad on the SI 3800's, just not as much. If you're at 200k and they haven't been changed, DO IT before something bad happens. It's an easy job.

[ZeroDCX]

Thanks, I will do that. I just hope that it's nothing too serious since this is my only car for now. I'm currently rebuilding the rear end in my 96' Mystic Cobra and still awaiting parts. I do appreciate your reply though.

[xtremerevolution]

Yeah, I'd say LIM gaskets as well. Just replace them. I replaced mine at 186k and they looked like they were getting old, though I could have gone longer with them. Easy job too.

[ZeroDCX]

Appreciate the input. Did you have these specific issues with your 3.8 at any given time? (oil in coolant, but not vice versa)

[xtremerevolution]

Appreciate the input. Did you have these specific issues with your 3.8 at any given time? (oil in coolant, but not vice versa)

 

No, I've always preventatively maintained my car. I replaced gaskets that had a chance of failing before they coild fail.

 

If you want to save yourself a headache in the future, replace the pot metal coolant fitting that screws into the lower intake manifold. The replacements are all solid metal, and the old one will burst eventually. This fitting will connect to a hose that goes into the water pump. Go ahead and replace that hose too while you're at it.

[ZeroDCX]

No, I've always preventatively maintained my car. I replaced gaskets that had a chance of failing before they coild fail.

 

If you want to save yourself a headache in the future, replace the pot metal coolant fitting that screws into the lower intake manifold. The replacements are all solid metal, and the old one will burst eventually. This fitting will connect to a hose that goes into the water pump. Go ahead and replace that hose too while you're at it.

 

Oh, no worries lol. That's happened to me a couple years back, It ruptured and I ended up stuck in traffic on a 102 degree summer day. Needless to say, not fun at all. I don't see why that particular part wasn't solid metal in the first place. But thanks for the warning.

 

On another note, do you know of anywhere that sells the UIM gasket for our engines? I've attempted Autozone, who has the part listed in their catalog as the Intake Plenum gasket, yet does not produce/sell it. Advance Auto Parts knows nothing of the sort and Napa does not have it in their online catalog. I just want to make sure that I have all the necessary parts before I pull the intake.

[Crazy K]

any chance on a part number for the nipple mentioned above? I'm messing with a 95 3800 in a U-van, myself... and need to go through it and do the intake(s) on it, too.

[xtremerevolution]

any chance on a part number for the nipple mentioned above? I'm messing with a 95 3800 in a U-van, myself... and need to go through it and do the intake(s) on it, too.

 

You'll find it in the help section of most auto stores. I don't recall the part number off hand. I did pull apart the LIM on a junkyard motor today, and it had the newer steel fitting. I should have removed it for you. Too bad that place is only open to the public on Saturdays.

 

Rockauto.com has the upper intake manifold gasket. They say its for the dorman intake only, but it works just fine with the factory intake.