3.8 questions

[vanbibber]

well i think that ive given up on a v-8 for now... :( ...due to gas prices and insurance. i need to know what kind of stuff i should look out for on the 3.8s. as far as the engine probs and stuff like that. anything would help. thx [img]graemlins/popcorn.gif[/img]

[Antman]

Originally posted by vanbibber:
well i think that ive given up on a v-8 for now... :( ...due to gas prices and insurance.

You think you have high gas prices!!
We're paying nearly $7.00 per gallon here in the UK.
So, OK the Imperial Gallon is a little bigger than the US Gallon, but still....

[Ian]

Well, ive got a 1996, and everywhere on the internet the 96 is listed as the most reliable year for the camaro. This can be backed up by people on the board here, seems like everyone with a 96 has a really reliable car.

As far as problems? Heres the ones i know of to look for, or ask if they have been replaced:

Coil Packs
Water pump if its like 70K or more miles
Check the radiator for Dexcool sludge

Thats about it. All of them leak a little from the rear main seal, so the tranny may look like it has a little oil on it towards the front of it. I cant really think of any other things to check other than basic stuff youd check on all cars. And even then, the stuff i listed shouldnt keep you from buying a nice one, it can just help you talk the price down some ;)

Good luck.

[FirebirdGT]

Originally posted by vanbibber:
as far as the engine probs and stuff like that. anything would help. thx [img]graemlins/popcorn.gif[/img]

The two plastic idler pullies. The tensioner pulley disentegraed at 85mph, lost the serpentine belt. Dealer had to replace the entire tensioner due to damage. I then had the AC idler pulley replaced. I have 130,000+ miles.

[BLUE]

Power steering pump leaks.
Pinion seal leaks
Some electrical issues here and there like headlight and turn signal lights goes out when it rains alot.

[ka50]

plug wires, replaced mine twice in 1 year.
also coils...

that's about it.. 3800 is a reliable engine, if you maintain it.

[MrCoffee]

Originally posted by ka50:
3800 is a reliable engine, if you maintain it.

[tWiStEdBird]

Originally posted by ka50:
that's about it.. 3800 is a reliable engine, if you maintain it.

My uncle's been a mechanic since the early 70's, and he said it's an awesome engine for reliability.

[majeskyb]

I've got about 62,000 miles on mine, and the only problems I've had were one plug wire and the driver side window motor. I'd trust this car to last much longer than a lot of others, so long as you do the routine maintenance on it

[Fredless]

My only problem is the stupid 1420 code setting off every other week, I have a WOT knock (replaced wires, plugs), and I have noisy lifters. My valve body also went bad, which I blame on the !maf mod after doing the !fra mod. It caused my tranny to surge (code 1870) in and out of lock up basically and I was an idiot and didn't figure out what was wrong till after I got the valve body replaced. Thought about it after reading the article on here about the MAF screen, but it back in and after that, no more surging. However, the valve body going bad on the 4L60-E's is commmon. They wear out and it causes fluid to seep by and lose line pressure. The PCM causes the line pressure to increase and it causes HARD shifts. The only way I got the code pulled was with a scanner that had freeze frame mode.


I've maintained mine since the day I bought her home and I've had minor problems...bought it with 73k, now has 96k on it.

[Mogobs30th]

Window motors, ****ing window motors. That and spark plugs. Those were really the only problems that developed from use of my car. There were a few more things that broke, but those were freak accidents, things that wouldn't normally happen.