She's getting old...

Post pictures, sounds, and VIDEOS of your 3800 or Northstar powered Bonnie/Grand Prix(H & W Body ),Buick( H & C Body ) or Oldsmobile( H,C,G & W Body ) here. We want to see 'em! (Any picture or video files must be posted on a server somewhere to be linked here). Also post pics of Regional or National meets. THERE IS A 25-PIC LIMIT PER PAGE IN THIS FORUM. ADDITIONAL PICS MUST BE LINKS TO AN ALBUM OR TO INDIVIDUAL PICS. Meets are exempt from this restriction.
nickdalzell1
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Year and Trim: '92 Bonneville SSE

Re: She's getting old...

Post by nickdalzell1 »

Is there a million-mile-club for our cars or does only Volvo get that kinda love?
1992 Pontiac Bonneville SSE (3800 Series I, 277K miles and counting! with a horrific knock sadly)
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Jrs3800
Retired Admin/Techinfo Admin
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Year and Trim: 03 SLE, 95 SE, 95 TS SE
Location: Space Coast, or at least it used to be

Re: She's getting old...

Post by Jrs3800 »

We should have one....LOL

I have seen many get to the 300k range with ease.. And others have gotten into the 400k range... Our 3800's do have issues, but if take care of they will just run for ever..
1oldman
Certified Bonneville Nut
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Year and Trim: 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
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Re: She's getting old...

Post by 1oldman »

I've seen internet posts that 500k is not the norm nor the unusual. For whatever reason, these cars seem to last longer in the northern climates than in the warmer climates. My speculation on that is the warmer climate owners tend to be more truck oriented and let their cars go without the needed PM. - BC
In Memory of Brad - 1/21/1977 .. 10/23/2013 ...... Aaron - 1977 .. 2017 .....
2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport ..... 1992 Bonneville SSE 1SB 170 HP L27 4T60E retired/sold to MattStrike ..... 2005 Bonneville SE 1SC 205 HP L36 4T65E - retired/salvage yard ..... PBCF user 2321
nickdalzell1
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Posts: 266
Joined: Wed Nov 30, 2011 11:20 pm
Year and Trim: '92 Bonneville SSE

Re: She's getting old...

Post by nickdalzell1 »

The only issue with 3800s I've seen is the annoying harmonic balancer knock, which seems oddly confined to Buick LeSabres, and Reattas. The only other way to kill one is by doing something stupid such as running without oil or coolant.
1992 Pontiac Bonneville SSE (3800 Series I, 277K miles and counting! with a horrific knock sadly)
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1oldman
Certified Bonneville Nut
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Posts: 3975
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Year and Trim: 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
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Re: She's getting old...

Post by 1oldman »

#1 cause of engine death that I've seen here is ignoring the LIM when it starts leaking. A sure fire way to kill any GM engine that I'm aware of. - BC
In Memory of Brad - 1/21/1977 .. 10/23/2013 ...... Aaron - 1977 .. 2017 .....
2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport ..... 1992 Bonneville SSE 1SB 170 HP L27 4T60E retired/sold to MattStrike ..... 2005 Bonneville SE 1SC 205 HP L36 4T65E - retired/salvage yard ..... PBCF user 2321
nickdalzell1
GXP Member
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Posts: 266
Joined: Wed Nov 30, 2011 11:20 pm
Year and Trim: '92 Bonneville SSE

Re: She's getting old...

Post by nickdalzell1 »

I've never seen those leaks in a 3800, but I and many others have the common valve cover gasket leaks
1992 Pontiac Bonneville SSE (3800 Series I, 277K miles and counting! with a horrific knock sadly)
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1oldman
Certified Bonneville Nut
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Posts: 3975
Joined: Tue May 04, 2010 11:21 pm
Year and Trim: 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
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Re: She's getting old...

Post by 1oldman »

nickdalzell1 wrote:I've never seen those leaks in a 3800, but I and many others have the common valve cover gasket leaks
Mine (LIM) have been replaced 5 times. The dealer did the first one at 99k miles. Then I had a shop do it at 150K, 173k, 221k(?), then last time at 243k by the youngest son. The car has 298k miles at the moment. - BC
In Memory of Brad - 1/21/1977 .. 10/23/2013 ...... Aaron - 1977 .. 2017 .....
2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport ..... 1992 Bonneville SSE 1SB 170 HP L27 4T60E retired/sold to MattStrike ..... 2005 Bonneville SE 1SC 205 HP L36 4T65E - retired/salvage yard ..... PBCF user 2321
nickdalzell1
GXP Member
GXP Member
Posts: 266
Joined: Wed Nov 30, 2011 11:20 pm
Year and Trim: '92 Bonneville SSE

Re: She's getting old...

Post by nickdalzell1 »

Must be a series 2 kinda thing. I have an old series 1 and the only "bugs" I've seen is harmonic balancer knock and leaky valve covers. My car had 255k when I got it and has 269k now. So far I've gotten leaky valve covers and that's it
1992 Pontiac Bonneville SSE (3800 Series I, 277K miles and counting! with a horrific knock sadly)
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