7th Sep 2009, 20:20

I purchased my 1996 Buick Regal Custom 2nd hand with relatively low miles on it in 2003. It now has 250,000Km on the clock and has never run better. My intake gasket is perfect because I have changed the anti-freeze on a yearly basis. I run Mobil one oil and change my own oil at 5,000Km. The motor purrs like a kitten and uses little if any oil between changes. I just bought a 850 lbs cargo trailer and haul it to all local flea markets to sell auto parts from. Not one problem with the motor or overheating. I cannot understand why anyone would consider Japanese scrap when we build such great vehicles here in North America... only we do not spend the money or time to maintain them... probably.

14th Oct 2009, 18:28

Well, I'm just about to the walking stage. I looked at my driveway this evening and saw 3 GM vehicles all about dead. 1995 Grand Prix-3100 engine, 1996 Monte Carlo-3100 engine, 1996 Buick Rivera 3800 engine. All losing coolant. Yell, all will start but won't get far because of overheating.

Gave away a 1990 Toyato Camry to a friend. Had way more miles and still very dependable. Why did I ever become dependant on GM?

Jj.

7th Nov 2010, 20:06

To the guy that left the comment about three different GM vehicles losing coolant; yes there were issues with leaking intakes, but other than that, those vehicles are incredibly reliable and can last a very long time.

Why did GM have all those intake problems? I have no idea why or how they could have let this happen. For 1993 and before, there were basically zero problems like this with any of GM's vehicles, but 1994 and later, the issues began. It is too bad the 3100, 3400, and 3800 engines had these issues for a number of years; but unfortunately it just happened.

15th Dec 2010, 19:09

I have a 2002 Buick with 3100 motor, it has 84,000 miles.

My father in law was driving home and it just stopped running. The mechanic said the motor is shot. There is water in the oil, a push rod is bent and a valve spring is broken. I got it to turn over but it will not fire, and there is a clicking sound. It will cost more to replace the motor than the car is worth. I have been told to change the coolant to the old green stuff.