3100 damage from a blown intake gasket

[Baldeagle242]

This is a 3100 from a 1997 Malibu that was driven until it melted the pistons to the cylinder walls after all the water ran down into the block. I thought there may be a few out there(This site is popular on search engines) that might want to see what happens if you continue to drive after the motor gets hot. You can also see in the pictures that this was at least the secone time this gasket needed to be replaced. (notice EXCESSIVE sealer partially blocking the water passages. I hope this was the only motor this guy worked on ) This motor only has 71,000 miles on it.

[1988GTU]

So wait, someone was too lazy to replace the gasket and just RTV'd all over it? WTF!!!!!!

[Baldeagle242]

You may be on to something.... I never realy thought about someone trying to repair it without a new gasket. The one passage was over 80% blocked with sealer. I don't know much history on this car but I know the guy I got it from would have taken it to a garage somewhere.

[project90tempest]

That's so gross lol.

[Baldeagle242]

Somehow I missed this when I took the head off but here is a picture of the rear head. Notice the head started to melt and a crack between the valves. How hot do you think this motor was when this happened?

[kflo 93 gt]

I see the problem... Fram oil filter. Oh the humanity.

[Baldeagle242]

I see the problem... Fram oil filter. Oh the humanity.

LOL...Ya that must be it. By the way the dent in the oil filter is from my ignorance with these engines. I did not realize there where bolts in the side of the pan and thought it was just stuck realy tight after I took all the flange bolts out.

[Joseph Upson]

I see the problem... Fram oil filter. Oh the humanity.

In general you might be on to something regarding that remark, I installed a filter exactly like that one on my engine during the last oil change and shortly after developed an oil leak that from its location on the ground appeared to be near the filter. I tightened the filter some more and noted it was already on pretty good and the leak slowed down. I haven't performed a close up inspection to confirm that it is the problem but I don't ever intend to use one like it again.

[ForcedFirebird]

WOW! I don't feel so bad spinning a bearing due to detonation after seeing something like that.

[86euro]

I see the problem... Fram oil filter. Oh the humanity.

That's just downright funny

[IsaacHayes]

OUCH! That's sad. These motors will go forever if the LIMG is fixed CORRECTLY. I take it you got the car cheap? Sometimes I see in the paper "v6 lumina/mailbu/etc needs engine work/head gasket mechanics special $400" and almost want to take a look and find one that they think needs a head gasket when it's really the LIMG but yet hasn't destroyed the motor yet. Get it and then fix it and sell it for profit.

Whoever repaired that doesn't need to be working on engines thats for sure!

[Baldeagle242]

OUCH! That's sad. These motors will go forever if the LIMG is fixed CORRECTLY. I take it you got the car cheap?

I got this car from the owner who took it to a local garage for repair. They told him it needed a new motor and would cost him $2500-$3000 to repair. He was going to let the garage keep the car so I offered to pay the tow bill and diagnostic fee if he would let me have it. I knew the motor was toast when I bought it.

[IsaacHayes]

Hehe, new $300-500 junkyard low mileage 3400 motor sounds nice. Throw in a metal felpro LIMG and never have to worry about it again.

[Baldeagle242]

Hehe, new $300-500 junkyard low mileage 3400 motor sounds nice. Throw in a metal felpro LIMG and never have to worry about it again.

3400 is already on its way. See "1997 Malibu upgrade options" under Pushrod Performance for the rest of the story.

http://60degreev6.com/showthread.php?t=37569

[3400-95-Modified]

nice... any pics of the melted piston?