Replace the LIM or put a new engine in?

vogie01 · Post by **vogie01** » Mon Jul 25, 2011 8:18 pm

That is the question... I was thinking about selling the SLE to pay off some bills, and drive the lady's 96 Honda Accord EX coupe that I bought her and have been fixing, but I decided to go the other way and get rid of the Accord and move the rest of the bills around.

My question for you guys is about the Bonneville. It has 193,500 miles now, and I can't remember or find for the life of me some of the repair records from the previous owner when we bought it(had 99,000 miles) from, which was a dealer. If the LIM was done, I am betting it was not the aluminum upgrade. I think it might be leaking, but I have only noticed a slightly lower coolant level twice in the last six months. I know for a fact that the upper was done once before though.

Should I drop a new motor in or do replace the LIM and hope for the best?

Post by **repinS** » Mon Jul 25, 2011 9:26 pm

Have you noticed any coolant mixing with oil?

If not, get the aluminum-framed gaskets in with some fresh mix-with-all coolant and call it a day. Even if you do, it may not be too late, but you wouldn't want to delay.

Bing · Post by **Bing** » Mon Jul 25, 2011 9:46 pm

Even if it ended badly i.e. blown motor, you would only be out the cost of the gaskets, oil, coolant, and what ever misc. stuff to do the job. Verses pulling that motor and putting in a replacement, when the original could end up running another 100,000 miles.

I say do it now, don't wait any longer than you have to.

Should be able to get good money out of the Honda with how scared people are about gas.

GMC Guy · Post by **GMC Guy** » Mon Jul 25, 2011 10:00 pm

I say go the gasket route.....I just did mine on my SSEi this spring......its a LOT easier than doing an engine swap....I speak from experience.
Gasket set and coolant oil etc is exponentially cheaper too than an engine

vogie01 · Post by **vogie01** » Tue Jul 26, 2011 12:44 am

Good news is that I parked it after the last coolant drink. I have not seen any coolant mixing with the oil. It has been sitting for a couple of weeks now, and I did not feel right about trying to sell it as is, plus I have a huge soft spot for Bonnies since this is my third one in ten years.

How hard of a job is it to do the top end? Upper, valve covers, and LIM. I have a couple of friends that went to Wyo-tech and told me if I have never done to not even try. One of them said he would do it for $550. That includes all fluids, and a new thermostat too. I am going to school for Law, so I am thinking about going for it rather than trying to learn something new. Good deal?

bill buttermore · Post by **bill buttermore** » Tue Jul 26, 2011 1:19 am

vogie01 wrote:....How hard of a job is it to do the top end? Upper, valve covers, and LIM....

You can judge for yourself. The procedure for replacing the UIM and LIM gaskets is shown step-by-step in Techinfo here:

http://www.pontiacbonnevilleclub.com/fo ... =53&t=3591

94SilverSSEi · Post by **94SilverSSEi** » Tue Jul 26, 2011 2:49 am

I did my upper end (intake-upper and lower, thermostat, spark plugs etc) I did this a year ago and the complete parts bill was around $200.

Also if you have a basic set of tools the intake should be no problem. I did my first one at 14 (with a little help from dad). IMO it was a pretty easy job just take your time and make sure to label things.

I did mine in a weekend from tear down, cleanup and put back together.

GMC Guy · Post by **GMC Guy** » Tue Jul 26, 2011 7:02 am

94SilverSSEi wrote:
I did mine in a weekend from tear down, cleanup and put back together.

I am with 94 on this....about same amount of time for me.....just TAKE YOUR TIME!!!
lots of info on here to help you. and if you do get stuck the techie types on here are a wealth of knowledge.

yonkerse · Post by **yonkerse** » Tue Jul 26, 2011 9:21 am

I would certainly agree with others to do the LIM repair and keep driving it!

As many members have done, I replaced mine earlier this spring in a weekends time all by myself. The articles on the forum (from Tech Info, and members personal experience) gave me courage to tackle the job myself. As others mentioned, work slowly and be sure to label everything. I even set up my own work space (saw horses and a board across) because our garage is too cluttered and parts would be lost. I used about a dozen sandwich bags and labeled them all corresponding to the part they went to. I Also too many pictures tearing it apart on my camera phone (sure are handy) so I could look back if I wasn't sure on anything.

The repair took me the entire weekend, but I spent couple hours cleaning all the parts in part washer once they were removed. One other helpful tip, when replacing the coolant elbows, silicone the rubber gaskets when inserting. I didn't do this (lazy) and ended up having to remove belt and tensioner bracket 3000 miles later because it was leaking. Just one of those things, dont take short cuts.

The most "unique" tool I needed for the repair was the large "star" torques that hold on brackets.

I helped my buddy replace his LIM (for second time) on his 98 GP GT at 210,000 miles, and is now up around 250,000, driving the car 500 miles a week..these motors sure do run a long time and yours will too!

vogie01 · Post by **vogie01** » Sat Jul 30, 2011 2:09 pm

Good news this morning!!! I sold our Honda, so I will be able to pay down some bills and fix the Bonneville.

Question about parts: My Plenum has been replaced and resealed once before by the dealer. Do I need to replace it again or can I buy a new gasket instead? I don't want it to leak, but I don't see it being an issue since I already have a new one, but it was replaced almost 100,000 miles ago.

List so far:
APN Kit or Plenum gasket(depending on responses and recommendations)
LIM Fel-pro kit: Rock auto $49.99
Valve cover gaskets: Rock auto $10.03
Coolant: Mixes with anything
Thermostat: Not sure if I will jump to a 180 yet or not
Oil & filter

What am I missing?

94SilverSSEi · Post by **94SilverSSEi** » Sat Jul 30, 2011 3:39 pm

The APN kit is what you want as it has the metal sleeved coolant passage.

Also be sure to get the aluminum framed lower gaskets.

NEVER EVER reuse the plenum that is my opinion (maybe if it has the aluminum sleeve) I thought I could reuse mine and I ended up hydro-locking. That god I caught it quick enough and was able to fix it but it ended up costing me more.

Lesson learned: Never cheap out. Spend the money and do it right the first time.

vogie01 · Post by **vogie01** » Sat Jul 30, 2011 4:09 pm

Ok. I ended up getting the LIM gasket, and valve covers from Advanced for $59.03 after tax. Had some of those sweet codes.

A friend of mine told me he always uses a Dorman Tensioner Elbow Kit. I can't find a part number for it. Anyone know or have it?

94SilverSSEi · Post by **94SilverSSEi** » Sat Jul 30, 2011 6:53 pm

Autozone has them as:
Dorman heater hose fitting $3.99 for 2 of them
Part number 47065

PontiacBonnevilleClub.com

PontiacBonnevilleClub.com

Replace the LIM or put a new engine in?

Replace the LIM or put a new engine in?

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Re: Replace the LIM or put a new engine in?

Re: Replace the LIM or put a new engine in?

Re: Replace the LIM or put a new engine in?

Re: Replace the LIM or put a new engine in?

Re: Replace the LIM or put a new engine in?

Re: Replace the LIM or put a new engine in?

Re: Replace the LIM or put a new engine in?

Re: Replace the LIM or put a new engine in?

Re: Replace the LIM or put a new engine in?

Re: Replace the LIM or put a new engine in?

Re: Replace the LIM or put a new engine in?