'92 lumina engines

matsonb · 04-24-2002, 02:39 PM

Does anyone know what exactly the problems are with the lumina z-34's engine or is it just a rumor that they blow up after 80,000 miles. The reason i ask is because i own a '92 z-34 and it has no mechanical problems yet. It has 112,147 miles on it and works good so, if you know something about this subject let me know.

cgin59 · 09-19-2002, 01:30 PM

I have a '92 4 dr. with a 3.1 L engine with 266,000 miles on it.........Never ran better!!!! Keep the oil clean!

jimbo69ny · 10-02-2003, 02:42 PM

I have a 91' Lumina with a 3.1 and 164,000 miles and it is still running great! :knockonwood:

RidgeRunner · 10-02-2003, 09:06 PM

The Z34 came with a 3.4L DOHC, not the old standby 3.1L. The issues with the DOHC are that the timing belt tends to not last as long as intended. Replacing this belt every 50k miles would be prudent. Another forum I visit has some 3.4 DOHC owners with over 200k miles on their engines. It's basically a 3.1 with a larger bore, no lifter valley, some other differences, as well as the DOHC top end. And before anyone asks, no you cannot reasonably convert a 3.1 to DOHC using the DOHC heads. There are far too many differences.

Also, the DOHC has a tendency to be mean to the transmission bolted to it. It has a 7000rpm redline, which the GM automatics do not like. The Getrag 5spd is the one to have with these engines, but rebuilds are virtually impossible short of sending it back to Getrag North America. I hope this helps!

The Burning Rom · 10-03-2003, 10:49 AM

The getrag 282 5spd found in the early Grand Prixs can be rebuilt fairly easy. The getrag 284 that came with most DOHC motors has to be sent back to getrag to be rebuilt.

Along with the timing belt and transmission issues listed by RidgeRunner, it also suffers from the same distributor 0-ring leak that all GM 60* v6 engines suffer from.

Also a side note, the 3400 and 3.4 are different motors.

RidgeRunner · 10-03-2003, 11:36 AM

Yes, I forgot about the O ring in the block. Ya gotta pull one head off the DOHC to properly fix that, doncha?

Say, haven't I seen your username somewhere else before? 60v6 perhaps?

93LuminaEuro · 12-22-2003, 10:41 PM

My 93 Euro has 150,000 miles on it and runs just as smooth as new.

Euroguy026 · 12-22-2003, 11:19 PM

My Lumia has 137,000 Still Runs Great
w/Intake Fram X2 and Nice Castrol GTX Oil I love it my engine runs very smooth, besides an idle (IAC Probably) mishap it couldnt be better

jimbo69ny · 12-23-2003, 01:30 AM

167,500 miles. It is now leaking oil like crazy about 3 quarts for 1000 miles

Tranny is also going. It disengages after fast turns or sudin stops.
I dont really feel like puting the money into the car so I will just keep going to oil spout to top off the oil.

hang10 · 01-21-2004, 02:23 PM

ya my car quit after 156,000km

conley · 01-21-2004, 05:51 PM

Is the 3.4 DOHC a non-interference engine?
I know the 3.1 is... My car's engine busted at 205k, timing chain broke, and I swapped in a new one. 70k on it.

JERKY420 · 01-31-2004, 01:15 AM

4 your info a 3.1 is not an interference engine.

Lamborsari_Merbini · 02-01-2004, 09:59 PM

my friends 92 Z34 is still going and hes got over 125k i guess i'd better tell him to watch out

92 Lumina · 02-09-2004, 06:00 PM

The 3.4 DOHC is a very good motor, the problem is anything around the engine is expensive to have fixed. The motor is a non interference motor.
I drove mine till the belt broke at 130,000 miles original.
alternator $400
timing belt $400
starter $275
intake gasket 325 -$350
spark plug wires $150 a set w/ tuneup $425
The engines run forever its just everything else

This is what I have experienced
BTW, when the 91' Z34 first came out, they did have a rash of engine failures, but this problem was fixed with the 92' Z34
Mine has 140,000 still runs like a scalded cat or it will after I get the leaking intake fixed -
Mark

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