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Tractor Talk Discussion Forum

O.T. 3.8 Bonneville

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jimont

08-12-2005 19:30:56




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I know this is a little O.T. but I'm looking at a 1998 Pontiac Bonneville with a 3.8 L engine. This car has 109,000 K / 68000 mi on it. Are there any particular problems with this engine or car that I should be aware of ? This is my first car in nearly 20 yrs so I'm really out of touch around cars. Just thought that at 61, it was time to have a little something special to drive besides pickups and am amazed at all the bells & whistles on this car (kinda like a deer in headlights)!

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Markus

08-13-2005 16:56:35




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 Re: O.T. 3.8 Bonneville in reply to jimont, 08-12-2005 19:30:56  
That 3.8 is the best darn engine...I've had 2, and my dad has 2....I've had up to 200,000 miles before a 92 year old turned in front of me...totalled...my dad's 3.8 has 250,000 miles....
Now, the tranny in my 99 Bonneville is giving issues....slippage is occuring and rough shifts.



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Jimmy King

08-13-2005 12:47:17




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 Re: O.T. 3.8 Bonneville in reply to jimont, 08-12-2005 19:30:56  
I just (today) bought my Oldest daughter a 1989 Olds. 98, with a 139000 miles Paint is the only thing I could find wrong with it.



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caseyc

08-13-2005 07:40:47




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 Re: O.T. 3.8 Bonneville in reply to jimont, 08-12-2005 19:30:56  
just like everybody else has said, darn good engines. every vehicle has it's problems and there's always a lemon out there but all in all the GM's w/ a 3.8 are good runners on the average.

casey



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jimont

08-13-2005 12:20:54




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 Re: O.T. 3.8 Bonneville in reply to caseyc, 08-13-2005 07:40:47  
Thanks for the imput casey ! Seems I'm looking at a winner.



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Allan in NE

08-13-2005 05:31:03




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 Re: O.T. 3.8 Bonneville in reply to jimont, 08-12-2005 19:30:56  
Jim,

Out here in the wide open spaces, we tend to put on a lot of miles. I've seen those things with 300,000 miles on 'em and still going strong.

Replace the serpentine belt, the filters and drive 'er. Good engine.

Allan



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Mike M

08-13-2005 04:59:35




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 Re: O.T. 3.8 Bonneville in reply to jimont, 08-12-2005 19:30:56  
If it is a supercharged engine you should have no problems. But if it isn't you will have to replace the upper intake which is made of plastic. GM did drop the price of these parts around $138.00 for manifold and maybe another $40.00 for the gaskets. No certain time or mileage could happen anytime,just keep a close eye on the coolant level .When it starts to disappear with no signs of external leaks it's going inside and burning it up.If it lets loose all at once it will fill the cylinders full of antifreeze and the engine will act locked up.Just will need to replace the spark plugs along with the manifold then.They seem to come out of it ok.Just another case of GM trying to build in problems.I'm surprized this hasn't brought them yet another class action lawsuit.

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Jimmy King

08-13-2005 02:50:12




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 Re: O.T. 3.8 Bonneville in reply to jimont, 08-12-2005 19:30:56  
I am assumeing this is a 3800 Buick eng. I have a 1998 Olds. Regency with a 3800 this is my 3rd. one. They are a very good engine, first one had 130,000 plus on it when we traded, second 160,000 plus. This one has 91000 or 92000 on it. This engine I had some trouble with and it cost me $900. It seems they had to fix something that wasn"t broke, and there were some plugs in the intake manifolds that melted out, they told me the new ones wouldn"t do that, but it was a problem with that year eng. I still think the 3800 is the best eng. built, and if possible my next will be one also. I get any where from 23 local driving to 27 or 28 Highway on unleaded reg gas.

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jimont

08-13-2005 06:03:40




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 Re: O.T. 3.8 Bonneville in reply to Jimmy King, 08-13-2005 02:50:12  
Thanks fellows -- this is one great site with some sound advice from a great bunch of guys --- much appreciated !! Jim



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