Is the 3.5 Intrigue worth it in the long run?

[harmankardon35]

the a/c clutch is common...i used a spray oil and soaked the little crack between the clutch...abs light you need scanned...most likely a bad wheel sensor, which in turn most likely means a bad wheel hub/bearing, waterpump is exceptionally easy to replace...hardest part is scraping off the old gasket

[stretch80]

Originally Posted by phewop118

The 3.5 is a great engine, though in my opinion, not quite as effortlessly maintainable as a 3.8. The 3.5 was only made for a few years for 2 low volume vehicles, so specific parts can be harder to find in years to come. However, that being said, the engine is quite reliable for many miles, aside from some common minor issues that generally manifest themselves well under 100k miles, such as the crankshaft position sensor, or the fuel pressure regulator. The biggest danger to these engines is heat and you need to make sure to change the coolant every few years. It is also wise to run the air if the engine starts to get warm, as it kicks the fans in earlier. The head gaskets are known to warp on these engines if they overheat and in my opinion, the coolant system isn't quite up to keeping the heat down on hot days when idling or travling in traffic.

The thing to worry about on these cars is the transmissions, which are expensive even when the most common minor problems happen, such as the pressure control solenoid going bad due to debris.

Right now, I have 115k miles on my 3.5 and it still runs great (a little noisy when cold and humid, but thats from the water pump). I have seen people with over 200k miles and still running strong. However, I generally see more high mileage 3800's.

It's a shame GM didn't use the 3.5 in other cars or develop a second generation of it with variable valve timing, direct injection, etc., as it would be one hell of a motor.

Thanks for the tip on the 3.5 water pump noise when cold. By the way

My fleet as of 2/5/09
99 Olds Intrigue - 143K
00 Saturn LS - 146K and teenage driven
89 Chevy C 1500 - 306K
03 Tahoe 2WD - 78K

[StoneHarley]

Originally Posted by dizzle1

Right now I have a few problems with my car. 1st Most annoying one is the anti-lock light, 2nd is the water pump, people who are with me around the car say they smell coolant and I add half a cup every week if driven alot. 3rd would be my ac compressor clutch but i think the glass cuting sound went away haven't used the ac enough to notice. 4th slightly off alignment not bad though need new inner or outer tie rods. 5th Got to change my rear left pads and rotor I already have the rear rotors and pads waiting the left rotor is rough. Could this slove the antilock problem at any chance.

Just with my general mechanical knowledge I can tell you that changing the rotor might help. This is especially true if your rotor is warped.

[dizzle1]

Changed the rear pads and rotors that didn't help they got worn out. So then I got the actron abc scanner and its both of the rear wheel bearing sensors, one is bad and the other is getting poor performance readings

[Tobey]

Originally Posted by harmankardon35

the a/c clutch is common...i used a spray oil and soaked the little crack between the clutch...abs light you need scanned...most likely a bad wheel sensor, which in turn most likely means a bad wheel hub/bearing, waterpump is exceptionally easy to replace...hardest part is scraping off the old gasket

Where exactly is the clutch on this thing? Mine is doing the same thing and I was thinking I'd have to replace it. I never thought to oil it...

It would be nice to have a car that doesn't sound like a flying saucer when the A/C is off...

[dizzle1]

Open the hood look at the belts on the on the left, then look at the way bottom its facing the trim thats next to the front right wheel. You have to remove the wheel and trim to acess it. I don't know how to take it apart

The noise isn't there anymore, I sprayed some oil in it.

But Autozone or some parts place might let you rent a tool to help pull it off and change the clutch. It can get ceased in very cold weather -20 parked outside.

[harmankardon35]

theres actually a small space between the inner clutch and the outer pulley....i Just got some spray lube (oily stuff, not wd-40 or penetrating sprays) and sprayed it in there for about 10-15 seconds, and then ran the A/C on and off for about 10 minutes and the noise hasnt came back for over a year...

[Admiral Brown]

Hello, I live in Detroit, Michigan, My 1999 Intrigues has 241,000 Miles and counting 3.5 Engine, factory, trans has been rebuild, My car can still compete with the best of them, Every light is a 0-60 run for me, It has full power. Just change oil every 3000 or when its dark, use synthetic blends in oil every change too (lucus). & Regular octane boosters

[dtownfb]

Admiral: What mileage did you have your transmission rebuilt?

[99lss]

i know that admiral had his trans replaced around 200000 miles

[dtownfb]

My 2000 Intrigue is at 173K miles. Glad to see someone was able to get 200k on the original.

[Tobey]

Originally Posted by harmankardon35

theres actually a small space between the inner clutch and the outer pulley....i Just got some spray lube (oily stuff, not wd-40 or penetrating sprays) and sprayed it in there for about 10-15 seconds, and then ran the A/C on and off for about 10 minutes and the noise hasnt came back for over a year...

Thank you!! I changed my engine oil today and while I was under there I sprayed the clutch (extremely easy to do if you have the car on jacks) and it worked almost instantly. The clutch engages and disengages as smooth as butter, and doesn't make a peep now. I can't believe that's all it took...