New to me 3100 in a Century... Should I??

[Warren]

Replace the LIM gaskets now before there are problems?

I got a great deal on the car, literally owned by a little old lady, a 1998 Century Limited with only 55K on it, and service records every 3000 miles.

Now of course I've been poking around the internet and finding the one key issue that could really play hell with this car.

Should I just go ahead and replace the gaskets now with the metal version?

What do you think a shop would charge to do this? I do all my own oil changes, and all my own motorcycle maintenance (even valves) but I am not sure if I could pull this one off...

Is there a link to the procedure?

Thanks in advance for your recommendations!

[1meanz]

i would say go for it. cant be to cautious. but thats up to you. its fairly easy to do your self. i had never touched a vehicle being 14 and i done it with no problems. it will save you a good bit of money. and you will know how to do it for future reference. the one thing i will tell you to do is keep each and every pushrod marked for where it goes. torque everything to spec with new gaskets and youll be fine

[Warren]

Thanks for the reply.

Do you know of anywhere online that outlines the step-by-step process?

[bszopi]

Here is the TSB for the new tightening procedure: http://www.60degreev6.com/content/Lo...ning_Procedure

I need to put together a walk-thru for the actual procedure to take off the top end, replace the gaskets, and put everything back together.

[Warren]

Thanks Brad; I'd love to see your walkthrough when you finish it.

[Warren]

I'm planning on doing this in a few weeks.

Can anyone assist with the proper gasket and bolt part #'s for my 3.1L '98 Buick Century?

Are those the only parts I'll need?

Thanks again!

[Century7667]

I've been really enjoying reading this forum. I have two 3100s in '95 and '96 Buick Centurys respectively. I bought the 1996 new, and the LIM was replaced under warranty when it was 6 years old.

I wonder about the 1995 unit. The reason being is that in all the FAQs, the '97 and earlier Centurys aren't listed as being affected. Is this a oversight?

[manicmechanix]

My understanding is all the 60V6's from 93-03 had the plastic LIM gasket and old torgue spec/no threadlocker bolts, and the 95-03 had dexcool which compounded the gasket deteriation problem. So my understanding is that any 95-03 3100 or 3400 needs the updated gasket, torque spec and new bolts with thread locker. Can someone verify this? Why the service bulletin only lists the '99 and up 3100 but not the 95-98, I'm not sure?

[IsaacHayes]

My 94 leaked too. All 3x00 with plastic gaskets can leak, even the GM "Updated" ones. Metal FTW! My 94 had thread locked bolts originally. It's the fact that the plastic warps, gets brittle and cracks and shatters and leaks. My first one fell apart like burned ash/charcoal. The 2nd one was warped/melted to hell.

Forget the "updated" gasket they still fail. They just have metal tabs to prevent user-error from over-torq when installing.

go metal felpro or dorman metal.

[Century7667]

Wow, I looked at the FAQ. Not much those bolt torques; I guess it's the aluminum....

What is being recommended for thread sealer? What is the source for new bolts? Do I need to use sealant with the Fel-Pro gaskets?

Thanks,
Ken T.

[bszopi]

New bolts (from the dealership) are listed at the bottom of the TSB. And the recommended threadlocker is factory applied to the new bolts. But I have heard people using Loc-tite red or blue threadlocker.

[IsaacHayes]

Dorman metal kit comes with new bolts with pre applied thread locker IIRC.

I just cleaned mine well and used medium blue thread locker.

[v6geyserracer]

I dont really think you want to use the original bolts because usaully when you torque a bolt to spec the bolt will stretch as you torque it so next time you reuse the bolts they are already stretched and even though it seems to tighten up the same its really looser than it is supposed to be. Just a suggestion but do as you want cause it aint my car its yours

[IsaacHayes]

Uhm, if the bolt is stretching at 4ftlbs or whatever it is, the bolt isn't made of metal..... LMAO!!

The LIM bolts do not have much torq on them, since the gasket is plastic/rubber originally which would crush before the bolt would stretch.