3800 series engine

[93XJman]

What do you guys think of the 3800 series motor in the Chevy impala? Is it a good engine?

[MBood82]

It's a very good engine, one of the longest lasting blocks. Right up there with the small block chevy. Fuel efficient and torquey.

[93XJman]

So is 111,000 miles on a 3800 a lot of miles compared to how long they last?

[YJeff]

3.8's in the mid 90's model of anything GM have intake manifold problems. something about coolant leaking into the upper plenum and can eventually lead to hydro lock.

[MBood82]

So is 111,000 miles on a 3800 a lot of miles compared to how long they last?

In my experience that is fairly low mileage for them... usually the engines outlast the cars. Proper maintenance of course is everything... if you don't change the oil, etc, it is a bad thing.

[mellophonium]

My brother has an 85 Buick with a 3.8 with god only knows how many miles, and it out runs V8's. If it has been taken care of, it is one of the best motors you can ever get.

[safarimike]

3.8's in the mid 90's model of anything GM have intake manifold problems. something about coolant leaking into the upper plenum and can eventually lead to hydro lock.

The 3800s are notorious for upper intake leaks, but I've never heard of hydrolocking. Still a good engine though. Gotta watch out for 4t65e trans though.

[JeepXJ3]

Just keep an eye on the upper plastic plenum, the gasket can break and leak. Unless you have the super charged 3800, thats a different beast all together FTW :brows:.

My buddy and I rebuilt a 3800 because the upper plenum was cracked and leaking, did an overall engine overhall, replaced the trans, then drove it from Pittsburgh PA to Niagra Falls, then to Charlston SC. Now thats a break in! :rock:

[swish]

You cant beat a 6 bolt main on a factory block (series III 3800) hands down one of GMs best engines every made. And Mike its the lower intake manifold that leaks, just like the 3100 and 3400 not the upper.

[thezentree]

My buddy's got a 97 Grand Prix with the 3.8 in it, and that thing's got some balls.

[Leadfoot]

There is actually a redesigned intake that solves the problem.

To have this problem hydrolick the motor take an idiot. My grandparents car was using coolant for 6 months and no one said anything. My dad was driving it the whole time and didn't care because it wasn't his. It finally hydrolocked after being overheated until it sized twice in one day. My stupid dad decided he should probably refill the coolant and try to continue driving it. He only made it a few miles. At this point it was either ruined from being overheated twice til it siezed or the hydrolock. Either way, my buddy just finished putting a new motor in the car.

Simple, if you have this car and it is using coolant...you can replace the gasket (its pretty cheap) or put the redesigned intake on it. Honestly, the rest of the car has been bulletproof....I would consider this a small problem that any moron could watch for.

[swish]

havent heard of any redesigned intake for the 3800 since Ive started working with GM. where did you here this from

[Steve]

i heard of some new intake GASKET made of another material, but not a redesigned intake