GM 3400 engine

[otis24]

All these breakdowns, but what year models? My father-in-law is always busting my chops for burning "ethanol" (E-10) because he "got into some and ruined his engine" The idiot ran E-85 in a 1995 Ford pickup that was not E-85 compatible. He has used that to condemn "ethanol" every since. Can't get through his skull that it is different from E-10.

GM, like all manufacturers, has put out some poor products (hello Toyota, I'm talking to you). I am aware of this, hence the question. I know that GM had LIM gasket issues in SOME models. The model that I am looking at is a "2005". I do not condemn GM because of a few years of bad products. I see posts both ways here, "avoid GM, bad intake gaskets", "no, no problems on the 2005".

Per the above post, I am looking for a GM product because I work at a GM dealership. Has an advantage when I need parts or service(discounts). I can purchase a pre-owned automobile for $400 over cost. So, yes, I get a good deal.

 

[Spazdog]

Originally Posted By: css9450
I bet you'd notice the difference at the pump. I'd be surprised of the Taurus could come within 5 MPG of the Impala.

My VVT Duratec 3.0 gets virtually the same gas mileage as our old 3.1 Lumina did...
to be fair, I do have two more gears than the Lumina did. So you may have a valid point.

 

[wallyuwl]

Originally Posted By: Spazdog
Originally Posted By: css9450
I bet you'd notice the difference at the pump. I'd be surprised of the Taurus could come within 5 MPG of the Impala.

My VVT Duratec 3.0 gets virtually the same gas mileage as our old 3.1 Lumina did...
to be fair, I do have two more gears than the Lumina did. So you may have a valid point.



My first car was a maroon Lumina Euro (1992) with the 3.1. I loved that car. It is still the best car I've ever owned. The Vibe is close, but not as fun to drive, IMO, and a little tight for my big frame (though I am bigger now than I was when I had the Lumina).

 

[nthach]

Originally Posted By: meangreen01
Outdated OHV technology(hat-tip to LS series that are an exception). Unless you're a GM guy looking for a commuter, or are getting a sweetheart deal on it I'd look elsewhere IMO.
They're still a solid motor despite their lack of finesse compared to their Ford(Duratec), Toyota and Honda competitors.

The LIM and Dex-sludge issues affect these motors, just get it fixed and you should be OK.

 

[saberz]

My family has owned quite a bit of GM's. My father has owned nothing but GM except till recently he bought a 10 Camry.

Father drove his cars into the ground 150-200k miles or longer pending on how much he liked the car or it wasn't worth fixing/rust. He never bothered to look at Fords after being bitten twice in the past. My friends father was the opposite, loving Fords and hating on the GM's. Goes to show that no two people will have the same opinion or same experience with a product or brand.


He's had mid 70's Impala, early 80's Pontiac, Buick, Chevy Wagons, Oldsmobile Cutless Supreme(mid/late 80's), 91 Lumina and countless others. Never had an engine/trans related issue except one. His 91 Lumina with the 3.1 was covered in greenish oil(bottom end). The car didn't skip a beat or "explode" and he drove it long enough to decide on what he wanted next.

He's enjoying his first brand new car EVER and he chose a Toyota. He didn't care about the "issues" coming up now, because the car suites him, the engines are reliable as are the cars. Everything has its quirks especially when you've owned used cars your whole life.


My fully loaded 01 Impala LS with the 3.8 at 80k had the UIM leak and a few gremlins related to the BCM. I had that car for 8-9 years before giving it to my older brother. Do I hate GM because of it? No, I took the problems as a normal wear/tear/stuff happens type of repairs. I had lots of good memories in that car and lots of fun in it..*ahem*.

I owned a 08 tC which I also enjoyed but was short lived. Granted the fit and finish were far better than my Impala even for a low end car, the Xterra felt more solid interior wise. My G6 though has the finish/polish that the tC did. A tight, nice and modern Interior. Car has been quite reliable so far, I did do some repairs to it but nothing that I haven't seen before.

 

[ls1mike]

Originally Posted By: nthach
Originally Posted By: meangreen01
Outdated OHV technology(hat-tip to LS series that are an exception). Unless you're a GM guy looking for a commuter, or are getting a sweetheart deal on it I'd look elsewhere IMO.
They're still a solid motor despite their lack of finesse compared to their Ford(Duratec), Toyota and Honda competitors.

The LIM and Dex-sludge issues affect these motors, just get it fixed and you should be OK.

05 Dosen't have the issue different intake and gasket. It is 04 and before, infact that is what the class action law suit covered.

 

[otis24]

The Vibe is a good option, but I can probably purchase the Impala for $4-5 grand less. While that is not much for five years difference, the overall payment on the Vibe might be a stretch for a vehicle that I intend to drive 35k-45k miles per year.

 

[JTK]

Originally Posted By: otis24
I may have the opportunity to purchase a 2005 Impala with 3400 engine. How durable are these engines?


IMO, gaskets aside, the GM 3.4L and 4L60E transaxle is one of the most durable and economical powertrains around. So dang many of them have been produced, parts are plentiful as is the knowledge to fix them. Fuel economy is also good with them.

Joel

 

[otis24]

I purchased the Impala today. Will pick it up tomorrow.

 

[sciphi]

The 3400's I've experienced in GM's minivans have always been fairly reliable, if leaky, engines. Yes, they sound like death warmed over from the piston slap on cold starts. Aside from that, they go a long time and get decent fuel economy when they're kept up.

 

[rat]

Originally Posted By: Spazdog

Not every single 3.4 had intake manifold gasket problems. But some did. It's something to monitor but I wouldn't necessarily condemn the cars for that reason.



I would have to disagree, this is too common of an issue with these engines.

 

[otis24]

Picked up the Impala today. Ride was good. Filled with gas. Fuel guage barely moved on the 75 mile ride home. Hoping for good things in the way of MPG. Again, 75 miles one way, highway driving. Will depart in enough time in the morns to be able to drive at 65 MPH for best fuel economy.

 

[JTK]

Larry I'm sure you did good. These cars can be purchased used very reasonably and that engine/trans combo has been around forever. There's very few issues with the 4T65E trans. We've had lots of GM 3.x's in the family. Most needed IMGs at one point, but that was it. Other than that, they're simple, economical and reliable.

 

[The_Jeff]

Most GMs go around 75 miles before the needle drops off "Full." The EPA on an Impala 3.4 is around 32 MPG, great news, and beats my smaller wussier Century that can only do 27.5.

If you hung that serpentine belt on a nail, you'd need a two-story garage.

 

[otis24]

JTK,

Thank you for that image. Hope you keep it posted. I may need to refer to it at times when I am ready to do maintenance.

 

[mechanicx]

Sounds like you made a good choice. An Impala is great for long highway trips with decent gas milage. I imagine you got a good deal and the highway miles shouldn't be any problem for this vehicle. If you had bought something newer the depreciation for milage from your commute would probably be high.

 

[saberz]

My Impala on HWY trips was amazing, city was still very good as well. You will enjoy it, the only issue I had with the engine was the IMG that was it and at/around 80-90k miles(8-9 years old) at that point. I had the 3800 Series II.

Wife has the 3.4 in her 03 Grand AM GT R/A and at 65k no issues barring a starter possibly needing replacing.

 

[JTK]

Originally Posted By: otis24
JTK,

Thank you for that image. Hope you keep it posted. I may need to refer to it at times when I am ready to do maintenance.


Larry,

Just go here: http://archives.media.gm.com/us/gm/en/news/events/pig_index.html One of the cool things about GM has been this site.

Joel

 

[daves87rs]

Originally Posted By: sciphi
The 3400's I've experienced in GM's minivans have always been fairly reliable, if leaky, engines. Yes, they sound like death warmed over from the piston slap on cold starts. Aside from that, they go a long time and get decent fuel economy when they're kept up.


+1

 

[brick]

I like my '05 with the 3.4,peppey enough engine and darn smooth at idle,sometimes i can't hear/feel it running.Only 35,300 miles on it.Very nice option package.
Yup! GM brakes are BAAD,gm sucks at brakes.Had the fronts cut and man we're they bad for only about 34,000 miles on them!I don't drive hard at all. Anyhow: I had a coolant leak last year before winter set in,maybe 2 quarts low in the overflow tank,added it with new stuff for that coolant type and now it's brown and gel like(see coolant forum).
It's has not leaked since then but i'm torn between having it power flushed and filled with peak global(if they have that at the place doing it) or seeing if there is a way to check for a leaky gasket like a pressure test of sorts.
I was told to use the GM seal tabs(2) for that engine along with coolant change/flushing to be extra safe.
I do have the 7 year warranty that is supposed to cover the engine gasket problem so hopefully it does if i need it done(have to check the dealer on that i guess to be sure).
Just not sure which way to go. Just change coolant and see if it goes brown again or what.
A few shop guys said that coolant can gel up,some say air got in with overflow low...i'm goin' NUTZ. Thoughts folks??
Man !! Give me my old 1971 Riviera back,that was a sweeeet ride,gas hog (455 git up an go-go) but what a ride!NO problems from it after a complete engine overhaul,heck it had only had about 150,000 miles on it! Just broken in !! lol.