I have an opportunity to buy a 97 Buick Century with 50,000 miles for a total steal (it's great having your best friend working in the car business), but I was wondering if the "3100" engine, and its accompanying transmission, was as good as the "3800," which everyone knows is great.
How's the "3100" V6/drivetrain from GM? Good or bad?
- Thread starter Thegonagle
- Start date
The only problem I have see on these engines is the intake gasket leaking coolant at the back of the engine.
Otherwise it has been a trouble free engine for my customers.
Otherwise it has been a trouble free engine for my customers.
3400 and 3100 look roughly the same. Only major problem in that kind of car, the A/C button might malfunction, in that case, you gotta change the whole HVAC thing, and seems like my 3100 eats a lot of coolant, but no leak into the intake, no puddle on ground, but runs soild in this great 95-100F daily temps.
Basically my only problem is coolant and radiator. Oil change easy, oil fliter slightly harder since its behind a plastic shield in front, but still pretty easy.
Basically my only problem is coolant and radiator. Oil change easy, oil fliter slightly harder since its behind a plastic shield in front, but still pretty easy.
R&R upper and lower intakes, replace gaskets, refill cooling system. IIRC a shop would charge about 5 hours plus materials. I can do one in about 3.5 hours.
Nope, you can change the oil without even lifting the vehicle up. Turn the front wheels all the way to the right, and then loosen the oil filter from the right wheel well and drain the oil from the pan.
Demon-Xanth
Lifer
- Feb 15, 2000
- 20,551
- 2
- 81
The 3.1 V6 isn't bad, my Grand Prix had that and it was still running good when I sold it with 250,000 miles on it.
No, I don't think so. I know the 4.2L in the trailblazers is on there.. but I can't think of any other GM engines currently on the list.
edit: you beat me to it =)
I'm always thinking worst case, in case I don't find someone else I'm comfortable with. I'm sure as hell not taking it to Midas, Pep Boys, or any other national chain.
My old car had a 3100 v6 and the intake finally started to leak at 275,000 miles. It was a good car. I would buy another one.
The age of the vehicle has been 4+ years and over 80K miles. Not all of them have had the problem, but it is the most common non-maintenance repair.
One sof my customers used a Buick with a 3.1L to haul pizzas. Had 200K+ before he moved on. The car looked like S__T but it still started every time.
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