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Radical Idle Problem - Running Out of Options - HELP

Marty and Andrew are/were Bonneville guys. Met them both on a forum. Overall good guys.. tell them you know me and you might get a discount. Maybe you'll make a new friend.
 


Alright guys, I can get a 1998 Bonneville for $200. The only problem is the car hasn't been ran in seven years, so no way of knowing if anything works.

The oil and coolant were just drained, and both look good. Not sure if the engine runs, nor the tranny.

Should I pick it up and check it out? There is no key, and all fluids need to be replaced, as well as the gas. It was abandoned at a house seven years go. But it should have the 3800 engine if I'm not mistaken.
 
That sounds kinda sketchy to me. I mean thats a heck of a deal but without hearing it run and it setting for 7 years. I'd be skeptical. Maybe take the valve covers off and see what the inside of the tops of the heads look like. May be gummy or rusty. BillBoost is the Bonnie expert so if you give the trim, example, sse, ssei, he can probably tell you what engine is in it. Although iirc him saying once that that model always had the 3800. I may be mistaken though

Edit: found my convo with Bill on Bonnies.

BillBoost37 said:
Bonne SE in 98-99? could be ordered with SC, otherwise 3.8 NA
Bonne SLE/SSE are 3.8 NA
Bonne SSEi was the balls

With that being said.. no version of the Bonne could be had with a 3.1, hence why I know the GP was inferior from the start
Click to expand...

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So apparently around that year is when they swapped to the Series II 3800... What are the differences between the series I and II?
 


connecting rods for the most part. new model should be stronger. but theres always a debate of the n/a rods. any engine you get will work tho, n/a s/c, they all fit and work with little changing over of your stuff to the new one.
 
Bonneville got the S2 NA motor in 95, and S2 SC in 96. See my sig.. ask me anything about a Bonneville that you want, I should have the answer.

Low mileage 98 that hasn't started in 7 years... no worries. A few weeks back I tossed a battery in a 97 Olds that hadn't left the garage in over 5-6 years. Battery, turned key.. it was a little sketchy running on 3-4 cylinders. Then the injectors cleared and it purrs. I've driven the car all over etc. It's a 3800.
 
The car doesn't have a key, can you start it by breaking open the steering column and turn it over with a screwdriver?

EDIT - On second thought, if anyone knows PM me... That probably isn't information you want open on the forum.
 
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in the long run it would be easier and cheaper to call a auto locksmith and have them cut a new key. or if the registered owner is still around, the dealer will cut the key from the vin code. its on file somewhere.
 


your odds are better with a lock smith, but this could cost up to 200 bucks. tell him a long story of how it was parked 3 years ago and the keys are lost lol

but if you add up all the stuff you'll break and have to replace its about the same.

if they wont do it, you may have to get a salvage title or something to claim it as yours.
 
Well all I really need out of it is the engine for my car to swap it in. I'm sure the car is pretty best up after sitting at the city for 7 years.
 
oh its just the engine your after? you can jump the starter and do a compression test to make sure its solid.

how to rig it to have fuel and spark im not to sure how to do. i'd think a few hot wires to the right place would make it run.


i bet Bill knows how to do it. tune in tomorrow, same bat time, same bat channel.
 


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