PontiacBonnevilleClub.com

Is there a million-mile-club for our cars or does only Volvo get that kinda love?

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..

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

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.

#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

I've never seen those leaks in a 3800, but I and many others have the common valve cover gasket leaks

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

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