Thread: 3100 engine opinions?

Considering buying an 2001 SE for $400 (yes, Four Hundred). Car starts and runs, but runs hot, and has a yet undetermined coolant leak on the passenger side of the engine (maybe timing cover leak, maybe LIM leak, maybe head gasket). Initial visual check of the oil looks OK with no coolant in oil.

I definitely know this is going to take some work, but I'm way more familiar and comfortable working on the 3800 Series II engine.

So, if head gaskets eventually check out OK on the 3100, I figure I would have to dive right in to LIM gasket replacement.

The car, mechanically, seems to be in fair/reasonable shape overall for 170K miles with normal oil and transmission pan gasket leaks. It also recent got a new radiator installed and some transmission work done...current owner had paperwork for these repairs.

What are your opinions? Is the 3100 worth putting in another few hundred dollars? If LIM gasket replacement does the job, how reliable otherwise is the 3100 compared to the 3800?

All honest opinions are appreciated...I haven't yet put down the $400 for the car, but would eventually be for my teen driver...

Thx!!!

Originally Posted by Slick2500

Complete waste of time and money. 3100/3400 are complete trash compared to the 3800. A coolant leak on them could be anything from the lim gaskets to the heads themselfs.

Thx! I know the 3800 well, but if the block test checks out and head gaskets aren't blown on the 3100 then LIM would be an easier repair. If that were the case you still think the 3100 would be a waste of time for the current asking price?

If leaks get fixed the right way with Felpro gasket kits is the 3100 still going to be somewhat reliable and solid for the next two to three years?

Remember, this would be for my teen driver just to get around locally to school, work, church, football practice, etc...