Thread: L36 with 155k questions..

Oil pan gasket could be changed, rear main aswell.

Headgaskets are really never an issue, no need to touch them.

Headgaskets on these engines are super rare and typically misdiagnosed.

Actual issues for an L36 though, I would plug the coolant ports to the UIM. Read the below and see what typically occurs.
http://www.grandprixforums.net/97-03...ure-60667.html

Plugging and opening up the turn around area are detailed in this info.
http://www.grandprixforums.net/how-mod-lim-46931.html

From there I would do the timing chain and dampener, then the rear engine cover gasket and rear main seal. Once those are complete, the oil pan is next. The rear engine cover bolts are low torque and not locktited from the factory. This allows that gasket to seep and appear like an oil pan leak. Rear main is in the rear engine cover, so while it's off..do it. Oil pans are common and a pain in the vehicle. Timing chain isn't really necessary, but you are there.

Mine still runs... But if it has had coolant sitting down in the cylinders for that long... Then I'd venture to say pitch it.

Yes it hydrolocked.

The upper intake manifold blew out like they all do and dumped coolant in.

The thing to do is pull the plugs, unplug the injectors and turn the key to let the engine spit as much coolant out as it can.

Then I took a blow gun and turned the crank to close up each cylinder, spray the blow gun in each cylinder to get the rest out.

Then assemble the engine with the new gaskets and upper plenum. Change the oil, flush the coolant. And drive it, change the oil again and you'll be good.

I did a UIM job on an locked motor in the Advance Auto parking lot. Since a blow gun wasn't available, we cranked it a good amount of time to blow them out..then plugs got soaked with coolant. We pulled another 2-3 times to dry them off. It started on 3-4 plugs and I kept it running long enough to dry the rest up.