Intersting question for you guys. I'm going to be changing the intake manifold on my 3.8 sometime soon. The motor has 115,000 miles on it, which I've owned it for a little over 3000 of (yes, it's "new to me").

Does anyone know if these motors are particularly prone to head gasket problems? I was contemplateing pulling the head to inspect the cylinders & pistons for problems while I had the intake off (since I'm like 90% of the way there). Anyone think this is a good/bad idea on a motor with an unknown history? The motor runs good, fairly smooth (as smooth as the 3.8s ever seem to get) and has good power, doesn't ping on 87 octane and doesn't diesel when shut off.

Or should I just leave the heads alone?

(And yes, the 3.8 in question belongs to the Oldsmobile in the sig. I can't help it--I have to tinker with everything!)

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[This message has been edited by 99Hawk120 (edited December 04, 2001).]

 

They sure did in 1977. They went to thicker castings after that.

I don't have any direct experience with the early- to mid-80's 3.8's, but the later 80's do not have that issue. I've got a total of over 320,000 miles on 3 different '89-91 3800's (about to make that a 4th that has 120k+ on it already), and none of them have had a head gasket problem.

I'd say if you are pulling the heads, have the decks checked and resurfaced if needed (both heads & block). If you aren't pulling the heads for some other reason, leave them alone.

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[This message has been edited by five7kid (edited December 04, 2001).]

 

I'll probably leave them alone then. I don't have any real good reason to be mucking around in there, unless there was a known headgasket problem.

The motor burns what appears to be a little less than a quart in 3000 miles. It doesn't get below the add mark, just goes from near the top of the operating range to down near the middle. I switched to 10w40 in it now rather than 10w30 it had at the last oil change and plan to monitor it to see if there is any change.

I also appear to be losing a little coolant, and haven't figured out where yet. It's not a lot, and there's no coolant in the oil that I can see, nor can I find traces of it leaking anywhere. The only color exhaust smoke I've ever seen has been white on a cold day (water vapor, smells normal) and black (when I stand on the accellerator). It's probably leaking on to the exhaust and evaporating. Possibly out of the intake .

 

The intake gaskets leak coolant and oil, very few head gasket problems. I would do the intake only. I work at a Buick dealership and 75% of the motors are 3800s (yes we still get some 80's cars).

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Thanks guys. Intake only it is. Appreciate the help!