3100 a good engine?

[mischief3003]

I have the 3100 in my gp. I was wondering it its a good engine or not. Like wahts the most common problem with it? How many miles do they last before any major problems? Whats the average MPG? how dumb of a question taht might be.

Also the tranny( 4spd auto) how long do they usually last?

[Robby1870]

Treat it like any 12 year old car. Do regular maintainence, plugs, wires, sensors, filters, fluid changes, etc and it'll last a long time. Average mpg for a 3100 in a W is around 20 city, 30 highway, if it's properly maintained.

[jeremy]

watch your intake gaskets

[mischief3003]

When should the gaskets be changed?

[cutlsp]

if you have no record of them ever being changed either have them changed or do it yourself if your mechanically inclined.

[19Cutlass94]

With proper care, a 3100 will last a LONG time. The biggest problem with these engines is the upper and lower intake gaskets. If you oil becomes milky, change them asap. If you start loosing coolant and dont know where its going, change them asap.

As much as people here complain about the 3100 ( lack of power etc etc ) it really is a good engine, and no one can deny that.

[94CutlassSLCoupe]

Its a really good engine, and for the era, it makes plenty of power, especially for being the base V6. Seeing as how i've run mid 16 1/4 miles with it, being totally stock, it can still hang with a lot of stuff on the road. I guess I just don't expect miracals from a 1994 car.

Change the intake gaskets and also change to the aluminum valve covers if you have the plastic ones. Change the spark plugs and drop the transmission pan and change the fluid and filter and you should be all set.

[mischief3003]

Well i got new tranny fluid and a gasket. What spark plugs would you recommend?

[jeremy]

delcos

[mischief3003]

Ok ive heard about them before. Anything else i should do? My engine has 124,xxx miles on it.

[97loudcut]

when i did my tune up i got ac delco plugs and wires (platinum plugs because that is what is stock), fram fuel filter, pcv vavle, cleaned my k&n, cleaned the engine (clean engine run cooler then dirty ones), and a added some fuel systems cleaner to a empty tank of gas then filled up. When it comes to the gaskets I wouldnt recommend changing them until you see some warning signs. No reason to replace something that is working fine.

[jeremy]

When it comes to the gaskets I wouldnt recommend changing them until you see some warning signs. No reason to replace something that is working fine.

I would bet that his intake gaskets are leaking, unless they have been replaced already

[MonteCarloChick]

It's better to replace something now then have to replace something way more expensive down the road.

[mischief3003]

Alright so so far I need to change my intake gasket, change my oil and coolant(been on list for a while), change my plugs and wires, and filter. Missing anyhting?
Also what intake gaskets or both?

[slick]

Both upper and lower intake gaskets. It will come as a kit if you plan on doing them yourself. BTW, if you do them yourself, set a weekend aside to do it, you will need the time starting like on a friday evening, until late saturday. If you are good with engine repair, maybe just 1 days worth of work. Having a shop do them, be ready to cash in anywhere between $500-$900.