How many miles on your 3.1?

[Dynaxx]

I own a 98 century with the 3.1 i bought it 8 months ago at 205,000 miles and now it has 225,000 miles on it. Three weeks ago i did my water pump and this past weekend i put a new radiator and radiator hoses in. I also did my lower manifold gasket with the new steel felpro set. When doing this i suggest you also purchase 12 new o-rings for your fuel injectors. Mine looked to be in good condition but once i fully reinstalled everything i sprung a fuel leak from injector 6 so had to remove my rail again. Then todayy brakes bound up so i replaced my pads rotors and calipers. So ive been busy this past week. Im not hesitant to throw money in even with it at 225k miles because i dont burn oil at all a d have lots of power still and shifts good. My only annoyance is the piston slap from this 3.1

 

[D2000buick]

2000 Century 3.1 with 117k on it. No major work done to the motor besides a tune up every 10-15k miles or so and I just replaced a harmonic balancer, seems to be a common problem for this motor. Runs like a dream and shifts smooth. Though it does have a bit of Piston slap on a cold start.

 

[Alejandro714]

Just rolled to 128k today. Bought my 01 Century Last year in June. with 98k miles. Call it a road whore if you will haha. Been down to Mexico twice last year. Replaced the Lower Intake manifold gasket and Camshaft Position sensor. Rides like a dream!

 

[donaldp]

1999 century 3.1 just turned 232,000 yesterday and running strong

 

[rabraham]

Hello,
I'm new to this site! I have a 1997 Century Custom. I bought it in 2004 with 34,000 miles. I now have just under 122,000. I have put near $5800. in her the last 3 years! I considered buying another car, but I love the comfort and everything else about my Century! I figured even with the repairs, which I'll outline next, it only cost me $102.50 monthly!!! I have driven lots of newer cars and I just cannot find one as comfortable as a Century. My cousin has a 2005 Lesabre. That car is terrific! I will get one of those next. I fully expect my Century to get over 200k easily. My mechanic, who loves me, said if I got rid of my car he would buy it. He said it will hit over 200k. I know it is now 17 years old, and that at times is scary.
I have had an oil change every 3k, trans. fluid changes every 20K, 1 engine mount, both upper and lower plenums and manifold gaskets, engine harness repaired, 2 window motors, headlight rewired, 2 water pumps, 1 battery, hoses, 3 AC compressors, 8 tires, a total new brake system rebuild both front and rear, tuneups, etc......

- - - Updated - - -

 

[My Buick]

Had 256,000 on mine then the intake gasket let loose and it locked up. Now I have a 60,000 miler in it and going again. With a new intake gasket of course!!!!

 

[2k2cse]

Well, my 02 died at 277k kms from blown head gaskets and a spun bearing just after christmas.

 

[rabraham]

To DonaldP...With your 1999 Century turning 232,000 miles, did you do ant tranny work or major engine work to it? Any leaking or burning oil??
Thanks,
Ray

 

[jaliv]

223,232 miles- original engine and transmission.

 

[Captcoolhand]

I have a 2000 that has 187,000+ miles that starts up faithfully ever time. Ticks a bit when I first start but what buick doesn't? Changed the oil back in January and now it's April and still hasnt lost a drop and still looks great, hardly no color change.

 

[hadabrew]

I have 167000 on my buick and still not burning any oil. Power windows are a completly different story though. Can't win for losing in that area

 

[kgrantkey]

134,000 on my 03 and just replaced the motor but was kinda my fault just got to be careful of the lower intake gaskets they like to leak they are a common problem on the 3.1 gm motors

LIM gaskets have been changed twice on the 2nd 3.1 in the 98 Century bought brand new. The LIM gaskets went bad at 52000 miles and dealership said sorry warranty expired at 50,000. A few days later the car overheated and a new motor was installed. About 35,000 miles later the LIM gaskets started leaking again. Changed immediately by good reputable shop. About 20.000 miles later they started leaking again. This time the LIM gaskets were replaced along with the heads.

Just put new LIM gaskets on again two days ago.

The 3.8 is a great engine. The 3.1 is one of the worst engines ever made in the history of the world.

 

[rabraham]

The post above said it all, the car overheated, new engine, etc. It sounds like you had bad mechanics. Also, you didn't say what gaskets they replaced. The GM L82 or LG8 are great engines actually. many have reported hundreds of thousands of miles uninterrupted with problems. I have one with 123,400 miles and still running strong.

 

[kgrantkey]

The post above said it all, the car overheated, new engine, etc. It sounds like you had bad mechanics. Also, you didn't say what gaskets they replaced. The GM L82 or LG8 are great engines actually. many have reported hundreds of thousands of miles uninterrupted with problems. I have one with 123,400 miles and still running strong.

I'm not sure millage is the major factor with the 3.1. It seems more to be how many times the engine heats up to operating temperature and cools off. The studies done by independent engineers during the class action suit against GM over this engine indicated the expansion and contraction between the LIM and Heads cause the gaskets to fail.

Many short trips are much harder on this engine than longer infrequent trips.

 

[jankiebuick]

110k on my 94 century. second owner and most the miles were towing and grandma driving

 

[PaulD]

123,000 on a 2000.
Trans makes a racket in under load in reverse.
Rocker panels replaced.
AC compressor just croaked, put in bypass pulley.
fuel filler tube replaced, rotted through.
Coolant level sensor stuck on LOW.

Other than that, it's just awesome. Well, at least paid for.

 

[ZoomZoom Diva]

How many have replaced fuel injectors? This is the issue I have seen with owners of 3100 V6 GM products (including a couple of Centurys). A guy in the business told me that GM tried to save money over using the Bosch units and it ended up being penny-wise and dollar foolish.

 

[Travis Wheeler]

I bought a 1 owner 2002 Century with 3.1 V6. It currenlty has 217,000 miles. No issues of any kind to date with engine. Replaced wheel bearings in car. All underhood equipment is original and functioning. I do have an issue with right rear turn signal not working. I posted a seprate thread going into detail. This car has been garaged kept and still looks new. Rides and drives very smoothly. Very luxurious if you will, considering the age and comfort.

 

[2001CenturyMN]

Just clocked in 148,000 miles in my 3.1L Century. The engine runs like it always has: smooth and powerful. I am surprised at how well it manages to heat up on these rough winter mornings. The transmission intermittently hesitates, but I'm not panicking yet!

 

[freebird0062]

2004 with 72,000 no problems