1999 Oldsmobile Cutlass Valve Cover [[Pictures]]

[JAM25]

2 weeks ago i replaced the valve cover gasket on my 3.1L engine. i only did the front side of the engine. simply cause i find it hard and time consuming to replace the back one.

i was doing a tune up so here it is. It wasnt what i expected its currently filled with QS Defy but next oil change im planning on using PYB and see if it gets cleaner.

at 165K this car still runs strong.

 

[cchase]

Our 3.1 run on conventional oil at 100k was a lot cleaner than that.

Thanks for posting.

 

[V8man]

Originally Posted By: cchase
Our 3.1 run on conventional oil at 100k was a lot cleaner than that.

Thanks for posting.


He does alot of short trip driving.

 

[JimPghPA]

PU would probably be the best oil for cleaning the inside of that engine. PU has more cleaning additives than PYB.

Expect any good high detergent oil to get real dark as it absorbs the gunk.

 

[greg_J35]

Originally Posted By: V8man
Originally Posted By: cchase
Our 3.1 run on conventional oil at 100k was a lot cleaner than that.

Thanks for posting.


He does alot of short trip driving.


I would consider replacing the coolant thermostat to the warmest one recommended for this application. With short trips, the engine may not be getting hot enough to burn off moisture. May also need 3 month/3k oci.

 

[jfking106]

Put some Marvel Mystery Oil in there next time.

 

[oldhp]

Thats pretty good for 165K no matter what oil.

 

[Rock_Hudstone]

My girlfriend's 3.1L with 250,000mi was much cleaner, no deposits and light varnish. However, it had regular 3-4000 mile OCIs from the day it was new, often with HDEO.

That engine doesn't appear too well cared for in general.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: oldhp
Thats pretty good for 165K no matter what oil.


No it isn't. It has a lot of varnish and small amounts of sludge.

 

[steve20]

Originally Posted By: oldhp
Thats pretty good for 165K no matter what oil.



^^^^^ X 10

not bad for 14 years and 165K--I would NOT introduce any additive cleaners--just motor oil

 

[209paulc]

Not bad....give QS Defy some time and give it a peek in another 10-12k miles.

 

[tig1]

Originally Posted By: OVERKILL
Originally Posted By: oldhp
Thats pretty good for 165K no matter what oil.


No it isn't. It has a lot of varnish and small amounts of sludge.


+1. I wouldn't want that in my engine.

 

[KCJeep]

I'm sure as a GM 3.1 it has suffered coolant contamination at least once in it's life.

Our 2000 Chevy 3.1 looks a lot worse than that, and I've maintained it fanatically since it was only 4 years old. Undiscovered coolant issues really crudded it up. Still runs like a champ.

 

[DragRace]

Originally Posted By: OVERKILL
Originally Posted By: oldhp
Thats pretty good for 165K no matter what oil.


No it isn't. It has a lot of varnish and small amounts of sludge.

x10

 

[mr_diy]

Why would GM put this pattern where oil needs to drain??? Designed to trap crud.

 

[cchase]

This is mine at ~100k on "whatever's cheapest" conventional oil.

 

[bigt61]

For an extra 2 bucks over the PYB, I'd run some WalMart Supertech Synthetic through it. I'll bet that will clean it up in one 6-8000 mile interval.

 

[Kruse]

While nobody wants varnish or sludge in an engine, in this particular case, it won't hurt anything. It is staying in one place and won't move. While I don't know why GM put the checkerboard pattern there on the 3.1 and 3.4 engines to do nothing but (apparently) collect sludge and varnish, I don't believe anything on the market will just "instantly clean it up", even after 10K miles. It's a porous aluminum and the stuff is stuck there tight. Just use a good oil and filter, maybe replace the PCV valve and don't worry about it. At 165K miles, I'd bet the head gaskets will go out before the sludge gets cleaned up.

 

[dave1251]

Originally Posted By: Kruse
While nobody wants varnish or sludge in an engine, in this particular case, it won't hurt anything. It is staying in one place and won't move. While I don't know why GM put the checkerboard pattern there on the 3.1 and 3.4 engines to do nothing but (apparently) collect sludge and varnish, I don't believe anything on the market will just "instantly clean it up", even after 10K miles. It's a porous aluminum and the stuff is stuck there tight. Just use a good oil and filter, maybe replace the PCV valve and don't worry about it. At 165K miles, I'd bet the head gaskets will go out before the sludge gets cleaned up.


That is some sound logical easy to follow advice.

I approve.

 

[oldhp]