1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass GLS 3.1 SFI from North America
Summary:
It's OK, I love it, though we been through a lot
Faults:
Water in oil.
A/C heater fan switch.
Water pump.
Always ticked when cold, and still does until warm.
General Comments:
Hi wanted to add my comments about the 97 Malibu. I have actually a 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass GLS, which is the same car, but just has the name Oldsmobile on it.
She has the 3100 SFI motor, which was optional on the Malibu, but the base motor in the Cutlass, but the most common motor in the Malibu. She is a good looking car, has plenty of power, but most of the same problems, which started at around the end of 90,000 miles, and she has 102,000 on her now.
Her air did not want to work on 1, 2 or 3, but worked on 4 and 5. All I had to do was replace the fan switch; problem solved.
She still ticks on cold starts, but did since she was new.
I have recently had problems with water getting in the oil; I was told it's due to a faulty intake design, which a lot of 3100 sfi owners have suffered.
I do all my car repairs myself, and have not had time to fix this problem of my water getting in the oil, due to my time consuming job, so I keep Bars Stop Leak in it, and so far it keeps the water out of the oil. So the internal leak must not be too bad. I will correct this motor problem when I get time to do so.
Other than that, I love the car and drive it everyday everywhere, and it has never left me stranded unless I run out of gas. I think she will run another 11 years; if not I will yell at it and make it do it.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 9th April, 2008
20th May 2005, 08:51
I have a 1997 Oldsmobile cutlass supreme.
And my car has been having the same problem. So I told my brother about how when I push on the gas it takes the car awhile to go. so he suggest I need transmission fluid so I got that and the car ran fine. but every now and then it will be fine and then it chugs a little also.
How can this problem be fixed. since I'm not the only one it happens to.