Most reliable GM V6 motor

**68rs** · 06-05-2006, 08:09 AM

I'm looking for a good gas mileage, dependable car for my girlfriend. I've had the 3.8L myself and haven't had any major problems with it, but haven't owned the 3.1L and the 3.4L motors. Any advice or comments would be helpful.

**CaptainCaveMan** · 06-05-2006, 08:19 AM

I've never heard of anything bad with the 3.8L, it's been in use for a long time now.

**toneloc60** · 06-05-2006, 08:28 AM

the 3400 has a problem with lower intake gaskets. GM used plastic gaskets on the aluminum intake. After a long while they can get brittle and leak coolant into the intake.

The 3800 has problems with coolant leaking into the intake as well. In their infinite wisdom, GM engineers decided to route the EGR tube into the plastic intake without making damn sure that it wont burn through the intake. So, it does. If you catch it in time you wont do any damage to the engine. GM has updated all the replacement intakes to handle the problem.

Other than those two issues, the 3400 and the 3800 are damn good running V6s. I have owned both and have worked on both. The 3800 is easier to find parts for seeing as it seems to be the "350" of GM nowadays. They put the damn thing into everything.

**Murder after Midnight** · 06-05-2006, 09:29 AM

3.8L 3800 is the best

**sprung_monkey** · 06-05-2006, 11:34 AM

i think i changed the oil twice in my old vortec 4.3 blazer..........in three years

NEVER had a problem out of that thing well other than suspension that i kept breaking hehe

**third_shift|studios** · 06-05-2006, 11:39 AM

2.2 cavalier

**gjb** · 06-05-2006, 01:19 PM

I've had several 3800's, three of them supercharged in 99,00, and 02 Regal GS. Great motor. Not one problem to report.

G

**Motrv8d Steve** · 06-05-2006, 02:23 PM

I had 95 v6 Camaro. Never had a problem one with that car (other than the damn rotors).

**Blitzed** · 06-05-2006, 03:39 PM

I second the 3.8, and we had a old celebrity with the 3.1 and that mother fucker would not die, still running today with about 300,xxx on it

**310stanger** · 06-05-2006, 03:50 PM

the 3.8 is a long running fairly strong engine. the only thing i dont like about it is that its not the smoothest engine around. possibly the way its balanced, dunno.

**Matto4785** · 06-05-2006, 05:39 PM

4.3 vortec and 3.8l, both great engines. The 4.3 is called the 3/4 350 cause its basically a 350 minus 2 cylinders, shares a some parts, like pistons etc. My buddies is a bit over 270k. The 3.8 also seems to run forever. Same basic design since the 60's i beleive. My uncles finally bit it at 230k. Used to know a guy with a cavilier with the 3.1l. Ran strong up till about 180k when it decided to hand grenade on the freeway. Was a damn funny night then.

**Pulse Red GTO** · 06-05-2006, 06:13 PM

I vote for the 3.8 also! Don't go w/ a 3.4, I have seen problems with those things new!

**gettin sideways** · 06-05-2006, 10:29 PM

Well I own a v6 camaro right now, the 3.4l. Its a good motor and all but if I had the choice I would have gone with the 3.8l for sure. Same gas mileage and better performance. Plus doing any work on the 3.4 is a PITA becuase its stuff back up under the windshield. I know thats a problem with all camaros but when your missing the 2 cylinders, everything gets pushed back a little farther.

Changing the plugs and wires is a frigin joke. Your almost better off just taking it to a shop and having them do it.

Other than that they arent too bad I suppose. Like I said tho, I would have gone with the 3.8l

**bene** · 06-05-2006, 10:54 PM

Currently own a 3.8ltr fbody. I bought the car brand new from July of 2000 with only 14 miles. The firebird have 196,xxx miles, no oil leak, no coolant leak, paint is still pretty good condition and interior too.

**Johny Utah** · 06-06-2006, 01:22 AM

I say the 3.1 I have a 98 Grand prix with 287,700 miles on it. No problems with it.

**MadSeason** · 06-06-2006, 05:41 AM

i vote no on the 3.8L have had 3 friends replace headgaskets on those motors that started leaking fronting them a 1k+ bill

**68rs** · 06-06-2006, 10:39 AM

Thanks for the replies. We're going to go car shopping tonight so hopefully we'll find something.

**99blueZ** · 06-06-2006, 12:35 PM

I have the both the 3.4 and 3.8 at my house.

The 3.4 in my parents '99 pontiac montana that we have had since new. It had a bad coolant leak at like 50k and cost like $900 to fix. The dealer had to take like half the engine apart to get at some gasket, so thats why labor charge was outrageous. Other than that the engine is good. Has 60k on it now.

The 3.8 is in my sisters '98 lesabre. The car has been around in the family since it was new and has had not one problem. Car has 58k.

My nieghbor (jon7i2 on LS1.com) had a '97 grand prix with a 3.8 before he got his LS1 formula. He bought it with 50k and got rid of it with 62k. He had zero problems with the car.

I would go with something with the 3.8 as my choice becuase it has more power and i think it is a better engine overall.

**91Z28** · 06-06-2006, 01:49 PM

Originally Posted by Blitzed

I second the 3.8, and we had a old celebrity with the 3.1 and that mother fucker would not die, still running today with about 300,xxx on it

The 3.1 in my Beretta runs perfect at 185k, and these are hard commuting miles with very little maintenance (like 25000 miles between oil changes). Can't say the same for the transmission though.

**DaveHo** · 06-07-2006, 08:32 AM

I haven't seen anyone mention it, but there are two different 3.4l v6 engines. The pushrod one in the fbodys & a DOHC 3.4 in other GM stuff. The DOHC 3.4 is a piece of crap. Those of you talking about coolant leaks & other issues are probably thinking of this engine. The 3.4l pushrod engine is built like a tank. Very little issues.