3800 engine failure? 97 LS Regal

[caddiali]

Hey

I was driving along Sat afternoon and the Regal suddenly stalled, Tried to restart it, but the engine would'nt even turn over.... no loss of power or low oil light on before it died. Boosted the battery, but that wasn't the problem.. However it did sound like a small knock was coming from the engine friday night after work. Check the oil level and it was fine Sat morning.
Noticed Sunday after it was towed and sitting that oil had formed on the ground underneath. Im thinking something inside must of cracked causing the oil to leak.

I'm really baffled. Has this engine failed?
Waiting for the shop to open and will have the mechanic inspect it.

Car has 189kms, owned it for the past 5 years

-UIM and LIM, rocker cover gaskets replaced in 2008
-this car is only used about 3 days a week as I use a work van, the rest of the time it sits.

Any ideas/suggestions are really appreciated and I will update on the progress.

thanks

[jd-autotech]

well at this point i would hold up and see what the mechnic says. it shouldnt be hard to diagnose it but with out lookin its really to hard to say. keep us posted on what they said and then we can be more help

[caddiali]

Ya it looks like my series 2 3800 engine is blown, at 189kms..

Looking into a used 3800 motor, but I was wondering can I transfer over parts from the original motor? (water pump, serpentine belt, pulley, alternator, K&N air filter) these items were replaced within the last 2years

Also have the mechanic do an engine flush, and change the plugs and wires?

Never had to get another engine, hoping everything works out fine and can get more use of this car!

Any ideas/suggestions appreciated!

thanks

[GTP Dad]

You can use all the accessories from the old engine on the new one. Ed Morad, moradpartscompany.com has a store on E-bay or check our his website. He specializes in 3800 Pontiacs and Buicks. His prices are reasonable! I don't know if he ships to Canada or not but it is worth a chance.

[caddiali]

So decided to go with a used engine, with about 97k according to the mechanic. Just would like to know, after a used engine is put in, are there any things I should keep my eye on? Never had it done before, so I'm wondering if there are any complications or things that can go wrong. Im going to use the Castrol high mileage 10w30 oil, along with Prestone antifreeze for the coolant.

The guys are working to remove the blown 3800 series 2, waiting for the used one to arrive. I will update on the status in the coming days.

Thanks for the continued advice Automotive Forum!

[Jrs3800]

Originally Posted by caddiali

So decided to go with a used engine, with about 97k according to the mechanic. Just would like to know, after a used engine is put in, are there any things I should keep my eye on? Never had it done before, so I'm wondering if there are any complications or things that can go wrong. Im going to use the Castrol high mileage 10w30 oil, along with Prestone antifreeze for the coolant.

The guys are working to remove the blown 3800 series 2, waiting for the used one to arrive. I will update on the status in the coming days.

Thanks for the continued advice Automotive Forum!

Just a note to all.. We have been using the Series III L26 as replacements for the L36 Series II... One of the main reasons we do this is there are a lot of Low Mileage units out there... And even better yet the series III 06+ all used the aluminum lower intake gaskets as well as the Aluminum upper intake... So the chances that these engine had an intake gasket leak, or an upper intake rupture is slim to none... A lot less risk involved in my eyes.... The Series III Block is the same as the L36, same service balance as well.. You would have to swap all of the parts over to the new motor tho..

Best of luck, and hope that you got a good motor..