GM 3.4L V6 Engine Question

[homer]

Hello All!

As I recall there was an earlier thread regarding the GM 3.4L V6 engine intake manifold problem. What I was wondering was, if the Lower intake manifold gasket has been replaced (in 2004 by a dealer), would this solve the problem? Or will it continue to be an issue? I'm looking at a vehicle with this engine, and found out that along with the lower intake manifold gasket, the right bank cylinder head gasket has also been changed. Thanks for all you mechanical type peoples input!

Homer

 

[WoodPeckr]

That 3.4L is a nice peppy engine but it does have a history of blowing 'main head gaskets' after 50,000 miles, a flaw in design. If you get one make sure to get the extended warranty if you plan on keeping it.....you will probably need it.

 

[shakenbake]

That 3.4L is a nice peppy engine but it does have a history of blowing 'main head gaskets' after 50,000 miles, a flaw in design. It you get one make sure to get the extended warranty if you plan on keeping it.....you will probably need it.

Design flaws are why I will never buy another GM again. One too many head gasket jobs, too often, and idiot dealerships to deal with when I had a high output Quad 4.

 

[poorboy]

GM apparently redesigned the the intake gaskets on the 3.4's so they don't leak. I can't physically see the difference myself. I've held the old and new one in my hands and they look the same. I figure the expansion rate of the plastic is what is different. In theory, if they have been replaced with the revised design, they should be ok. I believe GM has a technical service bulletin out extending beyond the 3 yr 60K bumper to bumper.

Beyond the intake gasket problem, it is an ok engine. I am going to turn 300,000 kms on my 3.1 (which the 3.4 is based on) this weekend. Car is 15 years old and this is the last year for it.

Designing a good engine is tough no matter who you are. The Mitsubishi Eclipses that were turbocharged had walking crank problems and the Mazda B2200 pickups had a similar problem too. That's why companies keep the same block for 10 years sometimes if it's a sound design.

Are you buying a rear wheel drive car? Most 3.4's are in front drivers. If you're looking at an F body, spend the extra money and get an LS1.

The Quad 4 was an underdeveloped engine. Should have been apparent on the first test drive. Very rough engine. The marketing guys must have gotten to you with the 180 hp.

 

[The Bandit]

Apparently some Auto Industry guru did a speech in Collingwood last week. He said the Japanese Auto makers in North America, have more North American content than the big 3...go figure! Tell Buzz Hargrove!

 

[poorboy]

Apparently some Auto Industry guru did a speech in Collingwood last week. He said the Japanese Auto makers in North America, have more North American content than the big 3...go figure! Tell Buzz Hargrove!

It all depends on how it's measured. General Seating supplies seats to the Cami plant. 90% of the workforce in the plant is Canadian, and so are most of the materials used, but General Seating is a Japanese company.

 

[Hockey_MLnut]

ive got the GM 3.4 V6 and have had no problems since gasket was replaced by the dealership. Plus i invested in the extended warrenty which is always helpful.

 

[Stymie]

intake manifold gasket replacement runs about $1000

you make your decision and hope for the best
the gasket is weak,
a design fault, that GM will not acknowledge

ask your self what other engine in production has such a high intake manifold replacement rate
and what would you expect from a plastic gasket on a car engine
only GM's 3.1 and 3.4 V6

 

[james t kirk]

GM is building nothing but crap these days.

That's why I (a former loyal GM customer who would have thought about nothing but a GM for a day to day) have bought my new Japanese car.

In my case it was the plastic intake manifold of the 3800 series II motor that soured me. Not only did it crack and the resulting flood of coolant into the crank case destroy the engine, GM, and their dealer treated me LIKE SHIT.

I have been laying under cars since I was 8 years old, I have rebuilt about 5 engines in my life, and even done a frame off. When the problem happened on my stupid old Buick I had it towed to the dealer because I thought it was ANOTHER electrical problem.

Turned out it was the intake manifold.

The dealer didn't do shit for me.

I phoned GM, they did nothing. Then I wrote GM and they offered me 800 bucks, then I sued GM in small claims court. Only then did they stand up and take notice of me.

Fuck GM.

If they had of right from the begining just said to me, "yeah, we know that we have a design problem with this engine, we'll take care of it, or, we'll pay for half, or something", my new car would have been a GM.

Instead, it's Japanese and I am very impressed.

 

[papasmerf]

GM is building nothing but crap these days.

That's why I (a former loyal GM customer who would have thought about nothing but a GM for a day to day) have bought my new Japanese car.

In my case it was the plastic intake manifold of the 3800 series II motor that soured me. Not only did it crack and the resulting flood of coolant into the crank case destroy the engine, GM, and their dealer treated me LIKE SHIT.

I have been laying under cars since I was 8 years old, I have rebuilt about 5 engines in my life, and even done a frame off. When the problem happened on my stupid old Buick I had it towed to the dealer because I thought it was ANOTHER electrical problem.

Turned out it was the intake manifold.

The dealer didn't do shit for me.

I phoned GM, they did nothing. Then I wrote GM and they offered me 800 bucks, then I sued GM in small claims court. Only then did they stand up and take notice of me.

Fuck GM.

If they had of right from the begining just said to me, "yeah, we know that we have a design problem with this engine, we'll take care of it, or, we'll pay for half, or something", my new car would have been a GM.

Instead, it's Japanese and I am very impressed.

Damn Jim you should have stayed with UNITED FERERATION SHIPS.

 

[james t kirk]

There used to be a website

www.gm-v6lemons.com but it's down probably due to being sued by GM.

The guy had a van with a 3.4 where the intake manifold gaskets leaked and destroyed his engine.

Do a google search, you will be amazed.

 

[shakenbake]

The Quad 4 was an underdeveloped engine. Should have been apparent on the first test drive. Very rough engine. The marketing guys must have gotten to you with the 180 hp.

I bought the car when the engine design had been out commercialy for at least five years. The engine ran surprisingly smooth for the first three years. And, in their TV ads, they claimed 160,000 km at full rev lifetime without failure.

The GM 3800 engine was initially a 3.8 L Buick V6, which was a fantastic engine. However, GM has an uncanny knack of taking a winning engine design and ruining it. Didn't they put a plastic intake manifold on the 3800, as well?

As for the 3.1 V6, it was, if memory serves me correctly, a Chevy engine design that has stood the test of time, and has not been 'tampered' with.

I wish GM would smarten up and put quality and durability back in to their vehicles. Even the assembly workers are complaining about the engines they receive!

 

[shakenbake]

There used to be a website

www.gm-v6lemons.com but it's down probably due to being sued by GM.

The guy had a van with a 3.4 where the intake manifold gaskets leaked and destroyed his engine.

Do a google search, you will be amazed.

I hear you loud and clear. At leastout of the Big Three, Ford had the courage to admit to a problem with a particular plastic part and recall the affected vehicles. It is supposed to end up costing Ford almos $1 billion, but they did the right thing after a screw-up. I guess they learned their lesson after the Pint hatchbacks. Anyway, the last three vehicles, including an old 1987 Taurus that still runs reliably, have been Fords, and I am impressed. My 2000 Focus ZTS has been the best New car I ever bought, at 181,000 km.