Automotive Forums .com - the leading automotive community online! Automotive Forums .com - the leading automotive community online!
Automotive Forums .com - the leading automotive community online! 
-
Latest | 0 Rplys
Go Back   Automotive Forums .com Car Chat > Chevrolet > Impala | Impala SS
Reply Show Printable Version Show Printable Version | Email this Page Email this Page | Subscription Subscribe to this Thread
 
Thread Tools
Old 09-02-2007, 09:38 PM   #1
jratism
AF Newbie
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Buffalo, New York
Posts: 25
Thanks: 2
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
3400 Engines

I have a 2002 Oldsmobile Alero with a bad Intake Manifold Gasket (oil in Anti Freeze) Is this the same engine as whats in the Impala's? (2004 thru 2006)?

What is it with these Gaskets in these engines? Should i stay away from all GM's with 3400's? I was looking at a 2005 Impala today, any other resounding problems?

Geez Louise

J R
jratism is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-02-2007, 09:56 PM   #2
BNaylor
AF Moderator
 
BNaylor's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: El Paso, Texas
Posts: 18,017
Thanks: 30
Thanked 53 Times in 41 Posts
Re: 3400 Engines

The engines changed in the 2006 model years for Impala. The 2000-2005 Impalas that have the 3400 V6 still have the same old 3400 SFI V6 VIN "E" just like the one in your Alero so they are still susceptible to the LIM gasket issue. But supposedly GM installed the new updated LIM gaskets starting in the 2003 and up production years.



__________________

'08 Pontiac Grand Prix GXP (Dark Slate Metallic) - LS4 5.3L V8
'02 Oldsmobile Alero GL2 - LA1 3400 V6
'99 Buick Regal LS - L36 Series II 3800 V6
'03 Honda CR250R MX - 2 Stroke 250cc
'97 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP - L67 Series II 3800 V6 Supercharged (Sold)
Timeslip 08/12/06

AF Community Guidelines
BNaylor is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-02-2007, 09:57 PM   #3
'97ventureowner
AF Moderator
 
'97ventureowner's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: syracuse, New York
Posts: 11,311
Thanks: 3
Thanked 11 Times in 10 Posts
Re: 3400 Engines

Quote:
Originally Posted by jratism
I have a 2002 Oldsmobile Alero with a bad Intake Manifold Gasket (oil in Anti Freeze) Is this the same engine as whats in the Impala's? (2004 thru 2006)?

What is it with these Gaskets in these engines? Should i stay away from all GM's with 3400's? I was looking at a 2005 Impala today, any other resounding problems?

Geez Louise

J R
GM had a problem with the intake gaskets on the 3400 some say due to the coolant that was used, while others say it was a poor design and poor materials.GM introduced a newly designed gasket to take care of the issue in July of 2002, so technically 2003 models and beyond shouldbe safe from that problem.I wouldn't necessarily stay away from a vehicle with a 3400 engine, but I would check any available maintenance records for any pre-2003 vehicle you are considering buying. Make sure that the coolant has been changed on a regular basis,( the original time frame of 5yr/150K miles is no longer a good idea, touted by GM.) Hopefully the coolant was changed on a much more regular basis as the longer the coolant remained in the engine, the more prone to issues starting.)Also check to see if the intake gaskets were replaced by a former owner. If not check the oil, looking for a milky substance and the possible appearance of a mayonnaise type substance under the oil cap. Also check the level of the overflow tank to make sure the level is within the normal range. The 2005 Impala with the 3400 should not have any of the intake issues that plagued pre-2003 vehicles because of the newly designed gaskets.
__________________
Thought for the Day… Alcohol does not make you fat - It makes you lean... against tables, chairs, floors, walls and ugly people.



If a prostitute here in America loses her job to a prostitute in India , is that considered "outwhoring"??-Jay Leno

" A Good Thing To Know"
'97ventureowner is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-02-2007, 10:01 PM   #4
BNaylor
AF Moderator
 
BNaylor's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: El Paso, Texas
Posts: 18,017
Thanks: 30
Thanked 53 Times in 41 Posts
Re: 3400 Engines

As explained to this member at the Alero forum he/she has the old style LIM gaskets and all they need is to be replaced with the revised. Important part is not getting ripped off by the dealer or a mechanic.



__________________

'08 Pontiac Grand Prix GXP (Dark Slate Metallic) - LS4 5.3L V8
'02 Oldsmobile Alero GL2 - LA1 3400 V6
'99 Buick Regal LS - L36 Series II 3800 V6
'03 Honda CR250R MX - 2 Stroke 250cc
'97 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP - L67 Series II 3800 V6 Supercharged (Sold)
Timeslip 08/12/06

AF Community Guidelines
BNaylor is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-02-2007, 10:08 PM   #5
jratism
AF Newbie
Thread starter
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Buffalo, New York
Posts: 25
Thanks: 2
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Re: 3400 Engines

Thanks Guys.... its funny I had the coolant flushed and changed on the 02 Alero 6/28/07 and found out the Oil in Anti freeze/LIM problem at Inspection 9/1/07.....coincidence even at 32,114 miles? oh well... this AF site is great..its a fantastic source of info.

Bob, Any suggestions on how not to get ripped off would be appretiated....
jratism is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-02-2007, 10:34 PM   #6
BNaylor
AF Moderator
 
BNaylor's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: El Paso, Texas
Posts: 18,017
Thanks: 30
Thanked 53 Times in 41 Posts
Re: 3400 Engines

Quote:
Originally Posted by jratism
Bob, Any suggestions on how not to get ripped off would be appreciated....
Response provided at the Alero forum.



__________________

'08 Pontiac Grand Prix GXP (Dark Slate Metallic) - LS4 5.3L V8
'02 Oldsmobile Alero GL2 - LA1 3400 V6
'99 Buick Regal LS - L36 Series II 3800 V6
'03 Honda CR250R MX - 2 Stroke 250cc
'97 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP - L67 Series II 3800 V6 Supercharged (Sold)
Timeslip 08/12/06

AF Community Guidelines
BNaylor is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-02-2007, 11:02 PM   #7
tractorboy
AF Regular
 
tractorboy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: kensington, Maryland
Posts: 401
Thanks: 2
Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Re: 3400 Engines

Code:
Bob, Any suggestions on how not to get ripped off would be appreciated
..do it yourself
The GM LIM gaskets have a piece of hard plastic in the center. I would find a place willing to install a Felpro gasket that has aluminum in the center of the gasket. Also to keep the Dex-cool from going caustic, I would drain the coolant from the rad and the block ( the 3.4L had a block drain plug near the knock sensor) and fill with dexcool and distilled water, no tap water or mineral water, just distilled ( 98 cents a gallon)
tractorboy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-03-2007, 06:29 PM   #8
jratism
AF Newbie
Thread starter
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Buffalo, New York
Posts: 25
Thanks: 2
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Re: 3400 Engines

Thanks T Boy...

I am buying the distilled water and dexcool tomorrow. After i CALL THE OLDSMOBILE HOTLINE....

Rock on

J R
jratism is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-03-2007, 08:43 PM   #9
fruzer31
AF Newbie
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Medway, Massachusetts
Posts: 8
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Re: 3400 Engines

What is it with these Gaskets in these engines? Should i stay away from all GM's with 3400's? I was looking at a 2005 Impala today, any other resounding problems?

Geez Louise

J R[/quote]

For the most part Gm has always had a problem with the 3400's but if the 05 impala was a 3800 series they are mint. I have had two cars with the 3800, one was a 1989 buick lesaber where i went through two trannys and no major engine problems and now i have a 05 impala. but i love the 3800 series especially supercharged :P
fruzer31 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-04-2007, 12:00 AM   #10
la1
AF Regular
 
la1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Greencastle, Pennsylvania
Posts: 238
Thanks: 5
Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts
Re: 3400 Engines

Code:
3800 series especially supercharged
Yes the SC W bodies are nice. 240 hp stock. If you change to a smaller pully more HP, you would need engine mods too to keep from killing the engine.
la1 is offline   Reply With Quote
 
Reply

POST REPLY TO THIS THREAD

Go Back   Automotive Forums .com Car Chat > Chevrolet > Impala | Impala SS

Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:49 AM.

Community Participation Guidelines | How to use your User Control Panel

Powered by: vBulletin | Copyright Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
 
 
no new posts