Thread: How solid is the 3.1L

I have had my SE for almost 3 months now and I can not complain about it at all. I know that the block is basically a 2.8L and they have changed the pistons and the upper part of the engine. But what about the crank and the injectors? I know that in the late 80's and early 90's the 2.8 MFI was real bad for the injectors, and I cracked a Crank in my 2.8......
My SE had 115K on it right now, just want to know what I am going to have to fix in the near future

ive had my 00 se with the 3.1 since 2005. So far Ive changed the water pump, power steering pump, one coil pack, plugs, wires, and the intake gasket job. after i got it i did internal cleaning (ie engine flush, fuel system clean). I am fixing to have to change the fuel pump (fuel level sensor) but thats not engine related thats it. I have 151000 miles on it. 50000 are mine. runnin strong, makes me cuss sometimes but its a good engine overall. not a racer but hell i run 35 mpg on the highway so im not complaining at all

yeah. all ive done is clean, upkeep, descreened the MAF and made a 3"fenderwell intake, lowered slightly. thats it. everything else is stock. ive never understood it

Originally Posted by musiknjoyr

yeah. all ive done is clean, upkeep, descreened the MAF and made a 3"fenderwell intake, lowered slightly. thats it. everything else is stock. ive never understood it

screen does nothing but screw up your MAF readings at idle.

FWI = less fuel economy due to colder air.

and 35 MPG is only possible if you're doing 50 mph the whole time.

I think 27-28 MPG at 75 MPH is pretty decent.

Originally Posted by matt5112

screen does nothing but screw up your MAF readings at idle.

FWI = less fuel economy due to colder air.

and 35 MPG is only possible if you're doing 50 mph the whole time.

I think 27-28 MPG at 75 MPH is pretty decent.

scan gauge II lets me know my fuel econ improved after FWI, and trust me 50 the whole time hasnt happened in a looooong time lol. ive never been able to explain it and everything ive done says it shouldnt, but hey if it aint broke, work on it till it is lmao

Originally Posted by matt5112

and 35 MPG is only possible if you're doing 50 mph the whole time.

I think 27-28 MPG at 75 MPH is pretty decent.

35 mpg is possible at speeds greater than 50.

my trips to and from school are mostly highway with some city driving and i get 32 mpg... all things considered, that's leaning toward 34-35 mpg at 75-80 mph

Originally Posted by noreasonwhyy

35 mpg is possible at speeds greater than 50.

my trips to and from school are mostly highway with some city driving and i get 32 mpg... all things considered, that's leaning toward 34-35 mpg at 75-80 mph

3.29's or 2.93's?

Thanks for the replies Guys. I am getting between 24 to 26. I drive 70 miles a day and 20 of it is Hills and stop and go. The other is highway. I have noticed that my engine has the famous piston noise at around 2300 to 3000 rpm. But it is very very faint and you have to know what to listen for. But it doesn't burn or leak one drop of oil and the coolant is never low. As far as the LIM gaskets, I have heard that they fixed that issue in 2003? Is this true?

no idea on that actually, if its a 3.1 or a 3.4 ive had to do it at some point. thank you dex-cool..... ule get the slap mine does. but fun part is my intake whistles so my "turbo" covers it up lmao

Originally Posted by musiknjoyr

no idea on that actually, if its a 3.1 or a 3.4 ive had to do it at some point. thank you dex-cool..... ule get the slap mine does. but fun part is my intake whistles so my "turbo" covers it up lmao

Did you install a throttle body spacer that makes the whistle noise? or is it a leak?

no leak or spacer. ever since i descreened the maf and thoroughly cleaned the TB, when i gradually accelerate it whisteled. If i open it wide up it doesnt, but up to about 1/4 pedal it whistles lol

Originally Posted by Lvgrandprix2003

I have had my SE for almost 3 months now and I can not complain about it at all. I know that the block is basically a 2.8L and they have changed the pistons and the upper part of the engine. But what about the crank and the injectors? I know that in the late 80's and early 90's the 2.8 MFI was real bad for the injectors, and I cracked a Crank in my 2.8......
My SE had 115K on it right now, just want to know what I am going to have to fix in the near future

3.1 is a great engine. Keep up on maintenance and it will treat you well for another 115k or more. Just turned over 200k and the only thing I've done to it is put a water pump on about 5-6 years back

Originally Posted by MiZzBeCcA

This is false. In my 3100 I was getting 35 mpg going 80 on the hwy, and about 32-ish in the city. Just sayin'.

your car was lighter. this does not count.

Originally Posted by SnowDrift

3.1 is a great engine. Keep up on maintenance and it will treat you well for another 115k or more. Just turned over 200k and the only thing I've done to it is put a water pump on about 5-6 years back

Thanks, I am a preventive maintenance stickler, so I think all will be well for a while. I don't drive it hard or try to hot rod it either. Its not a slouch as far as pep, but its not built for high performance like the 3800 SC. So I will just grandpa around in it.

Originally Posted by Lvgrandprix2003

Thanks, I am a preventive maintenance stickler, so I think all will be well for a while. I don't drive it hard or try to hot rod it either. Its not a slouch as far as pep, but its not built for high performance like the 3800 SC. So I will just grandpa around in it.

I don't abuse mine, but I didn't baby it, either. Even at +200k, it's still a good running engine and it doesn't bother me to mash the pedal on the floor occasionally, either. I've had it for over 90,000 miles of its life.

Originally Posted by SnowDrift

I don't abuse mine, but I didn't baby it, either. Even at +200k, it's still a good running engine and it doesn't bother me to mash the pedal on the floor occasionally, either. I've had it for over 90,000 miles of its life.

I will mash it to the floor once in a while too. With the the 3.1 thats what it takes to get the thing to take off! Its had to believe it has 170HP with being a 2.8 Block. My old 85 S-10 had the 2.8, and it was a DOG! Anyway, thanks guys, I am going to drive my SE till the wheels fall off it and keep the engine in top shape and maybe do the LIM gaskets this winter for preventitive maintenance.

Well I'm not sure if this helps, but I drove a 91 GP SE 3.1L for like 8 years with no engine problems whatsoever. It didn't even leak a drop of oil during that whole time, all I ever did, was regular maintenance (oil changes and tune up). The only things that failed where the alternator, but the new SE has a bigger one and the water pump, that one I think it's still pretty much the same on the 3100.

Oh it once threw the harmonic balancer away along with the crank pulley but amazingly the belt stayed in place and I could drive it slowly home. LoL!