1996 Lumina Engine Removal

[tulsaokjoel]

He had been losing his antifreeze for a few weeks slowly. One night on the way home from work the car overheated and he drove it on home (about 6 miles). Apparently he hadn't been watching the antifreeze level close enough. The next day (after refilling the radiator) it barely made it to work (10 miles) and then had it towed to the shop. They told him $1300 for them to replace the head gaskets.

[bszopi]

On a 96 motor, pulling the oil pan while the engine is in the car is a PITA. In fact, I'd almost think its easier to pull the engine and then pull the oil pan than trying to pull the oil pan in the car. This is mainly due to the side mount bolts. The backside ones are hidden behind the tranny and it is just about impossible to get any kind of wrench up there to get to the bolts. You can try it, but just wanted to warn you....

[Compufreek]

Yeah that is kinda alot of driving but I bet it's all good.

[tulsaokjoel]

Now I have a dilema..... Might be just as easy to pull the motor and do the headwork than to do the headwork with the engine in the car..... That's probably what I'll do. Assuming I buy it.

[Cliff8928]

On a 96 motor, pulling the oil pan while the engine is in the car is a PITA. In fact, I'd almost think its easier to pull the engine and then pull the oil pan than trying to pull the oil pan in the car. This is mainly due to the side mount bolts. The backside ones are hidden behind the tranny and it is just about impossible to get any kind of wrench up there to get to the bolts. You can try it, but just wanted to warn you....

It is possible, my co-worker did it on his 96 GrandAm, and complained about it for weeks after...


Cliff Scott <-pulled about 6 engines through the bottom
89 BerettaGT
89 Volvo740

[bszopi]

I know its possible, cause I have had people chat with me about it halfway through them removing it. They normally wanted to know any hints about getting to the back bolts, and I always just replied "Pull the engine". One guy told me the way he finally got it off, and I know it had to do something with a combination of tools....

[Compufreek]

Damn ok then I was going by the manual and they said you could. Glad I decided not to change the gasket now!! LOL

[Manitcor]

it is actually possible to do without removing the engine, about a month ago I was talking to a freind who had recently done this (works as a entery level tech at a GM service shop). Apperently GM has a special tool that allows you to reach those bolts but is not a generally available tool.

I was told without that tool, the only way to go is to remove the engine.

I would Imagine the tools is somekind of specially shaped wrench so that it can get around the bottom of the block and between the trans and the back of the block and still allow you to apply torque to the bolts.

[tulsaokjoel]

Well, I'm now the proud owner of a '96 Chevy Lumina with 111,000 miles and a blown headgasket. I put fresh oil in it, topped off the radiator, and drove it to my house (about 10 highway miles). It ran very smooth and didn't get warm at all. He even threw in his Haynes manual, al extra oil filter, and a jug of that orange chevy antifreeze. Thanks for the help thus far. I'm sure I'll be calling on you all more as I get into this project.

Thanks,
Joel

[Anonymous]

The orange antifreeze is called "dexcool" (if I remember correctley). You aren't really suppose to mix it with regular antifreeze (or so they say) and its suppose to last like 5 years compared to the regular green stuff.

[tulsaokjoel]

I found a 3.1liter motor out of a 2000 Buick Century with 42,000 miles for a good price. Can anyone tell me what I'll have to do to get this motor to work in my '96 Lumina? I think I've heard that I'll have to change out the intake manifold? Is that all?

Thanks,
Joel

[tulsaokjoel]

Well, I pulled the intake and heads with the engine still in the car. I have since replaced the heads with new head gaskets and reinstalled the exhaust and motor mounts. I just received the intake gaskets yesterday, and am ready to finish the project this weekend. I haven't run into any problems yet, but I'll keep you informed.

[tulsaokjoel]

The motor is put back together and the car runs great. The only problem is that the check engine light has come on. I got the codes checked at Autozone and it came up with a p0300 and p0441. I found a hose that connects to the purge valve that I hadn't connected and I'm sure that is where the p0441 is coming from. The light is still on however. Should I try clearing the computer and see if the light comes back on or what? I'm hoping that maybe caused the other code as well. How do I reset the computer on these cars?

Joel

[Rhedalert]

The only way I've heard to reset the computers is to remove the pcm fuse underhood for about a minute, then reconnect. You'll have to go thru a form of idle relearn after that. I don't know if there's any addittional procedures for the OBD2 PCM

[Johndoe]

I am trying to remove a 3.1 from a 97 pontiac to a lumina. For the life of me I cant get the thing out. Can some one help me with this. I have everything off the motor wires, trans bolts, exhausts.. ect am I missing a motor mount or somthing.