Purchased this 1992 Buick Century from an elderly friend in 2014 with 186K miles on it. He was a 10w40 Havoline man and car has been well maintained. Original owner had it for the first 30K miles. Car had considerable notes on repairs since new. Unable to determine exact service intervals for oil changes. Have found numerous cases of repairs that were not done or not completed properly (or damage incurred), though the local GM dealer was paid for the service/repair.
I did find this car had a lazy thermostat that did not open until around 230 degree not long after purchase. Not sure how long this had been on going.
This car has been treated to a steady diet of December sale, Autozone synthetic oils at least 4 times a year since I have owned it. It is ready to turn over 250K miles.
This car has the odd and simple, little brother of the Buick 3800 V6, the Buick 3300 (MPFI only, no MAP, no EGR, no counterbalance shaft). It was only sold in GM A and N bodies from 1989 through 1993 models.
I preemptively replaced the timing chain and tensioner at 200K miles in Jan. of 2016. The tensioner (already removed in pic) was at the end of its travel.
This was the timing cover after a light cleaning. As the gearotor oil pump is contained in the front cover of these engines, I did not want to subject it to subject it to significant solvent saturation.
I also removed the oil pan before reinstalling the timing cover. It was spotless inside.
Changed the intake manifold gasket at 230K miles in late 2018.
These gaskets are nearly as bad as the notorious GM 3100/3400 intake gaskets. No improved design for these available, AFAIK,
This leads us to the under the valve cover pics. Now at almost 250K miles.
Changed the rear valve cover only. Suspect the front one might be a little cleaner, as the PCV is hooked to the front cover on these engines.
I did find this car had a lazy thermostat that did not open until around 230 degree not long after purchase. Not sure how long this had been on going.
This car has been treated to a steady diet of December sale, Autozone synthetic oils at least 4 times a year since I have owned it. It is ready to turn over 250K miles.
This car has the odd and simple, little brother of the Buick 3800 V6, the Buick 3300 (MPFI only, no MAP, no EGR, no counterbalance shaft). It was only sold in GM A and N bodies from 1989 through 1993 models.
I preemptively replaced the timing chain and tensioner at 200K miles in Jan. of 2016. The tensioner (already removed in pic) was at the end of its travel.
This was the timing cover after a light cleaning. As the gearotor oil pump is contained in the front cover of these engines, I did not want to subject it to subject it to significant solvent saturation.
I also removed the oil pan before reinstalling the timing cover. It was spotless inside.
Changed the intake manifold gasket at 230K miles in late 2018.
These gaskets are nearly as bad as the notorious GM 3100/3400 intake gaskets. No improved design for these available, AFAIK,
This leads us to the under the valve cover pics. Now at almost 250K miles.
Changed the rear valve cover only. Suspect the front one might be a little cleaner, as the PCV is hooked to the front cover on these engines.