Hey guys.. most know that a buddy and I will occasionally flip a car or two and W bodies are on the list of stuff we look for usually. 2008 Impala with 3.5L.
CL listed this one as needing a power steering pump and it should be good. Yeah, right lol Looked the car over, it needed tires, brakes, ps pump likely, hood, trunk and bumper cover. Right price was negotiated and it followed me home. Then the list of parts started coming together.
The power steering leak was from the cooling loop on the frame having a hole rubbed through it , and pump ran dry so long it seems toasted. Both front wheel bearings, one trans line, oil filter adapter gasket (seems every 3.5 needs one). After getting the ps line on it along with brakes and wheel bearings we degreased the motor to find that it's leaking so bad it's all oiled up still.
Found the rear valve cover gasket to be pouring oil. Front was in need of a swap as well. The way to the rear valve cover is to pull the alternator, coolant crossover piece (front to back head), coolant tubes (in front of front VC going into crossover), removing ICM and bracket. Now you can do a gasket.
Oh the joys of the 3.1/3.4 replacement engine.
Originally Posted by BillBoost37
these cars are really something.
