Good fix my dude, I just had to do this to my grandma's 02 century at 113k miles. Helped me out a ton. My grandma just turned 92 and told me to keep the car after I fixed it. The overflow tank was gunked up with oil so I replaced that and the hoses, thermostat, temp sensor plus the lower intake becaus it had a crack. Got it done with the help of this video. Thanks.

Notorious!!!! I pulled mine 2 years ago. I will admit Gm made a solid engine...except for the intake design. Well my opinion maybe I’m just sore from being a dumb butt!! I tried to save money,(when I was already saving a bunch doing my own work) I ordered a cheap gasket set from *^*% Across the pond, and it lasted about 8 months. Replaced the lower gaskets with a better brand and my mileage returned, no oil bought yet, and no wasted 15 bucks on leaking antifreeze. Make sure to use the permatex also. The cheap upper set and the valve cover gaskets worked fine but not the lower....just spend the extra money (which really is not that much more compared to your time, mileage, buying quart of oil every month or two, and antifreeze). But mine was 18 years old original when it failed to begin with so I didn’t have any other problems to be concerned about. Man I’m cheap, yeah the car is old but it only has 120000 on it now so Why not use better materials to begin with?? CAUSE I’M CHEAP.😁 Good upload

I took my F150 in for an oil change and they told me that I had oil in my radiator and recommended a head gasket. Then I told them I added some stop leak to the coolant that had a oil film in it. You can rent a tester from the part store, You add Block Tester Fluid to it to check your radiator for combustible fumes before taring it apart. This is a very helpful video BTW. Thanks!

Good vid! 12 Hours is what it took me to do my LIM gasket GM 3.8L.

Thank you for this video This is one of main videos that helped me fix my sisters Buick 1998. took me 4 days. Its hard to remember how all the bolts go back. I used your box method for the piston rods after heaving the coolant flushed by jiffy lube 109.09$ they did it twice the first time i seen oil chunks going through the tube the second none good way to test if you fixed it because oil will be still end up in the coolant fluid, if there is still a leek.. So its good to have them test the fluid. the total cost was 40 hours and approx 300.00$ 1500$ less then having a auto shop do it. (NOTE: I might of said head gasket.....) This would be almost twice the work thank god its not a common issue. Thanks again if it was not for this and 2 others I would of never saved my sisters car.

@DIYTinker

8 жыл бұрын

great job! your sister is lucky to have a brother like you.

Tip: Always cover the exposed ports. You can stuff some paper towels in them or use tape to cover them. One bolt or nut falling down them means they can go into your piston chamber if the valve isn't closed. Another Tip is to always drain your coolant so you don't end up spilling any into the lifter valley. the coolant can get on your cam or your lifters and into your bearings causing bad things to happen. Otherwise good job. Doing stuff like this on these engines is a PITA. Also I think the best RTV to use is Copper. I've gotten 6 years off of that before it leaked oil. RTV black I think got me 3 before it started to leak oil. they all just break down over time sadly.

@charlesrose3303

6 ай бұрын

How long will it last once it starts to leak oil in your radiator?

I have a 1998 Buick Century, I love this car! Old Scraper, Fosho.

After watching your video, I give you my like Dude, looks like a pain for me, but I learn from this and you got my Suscribe. My memory only goes so far, good job!

Also thx for being an expert on this stuff!

That damn clip @11:45 wa true pain in the ass. Thank you GM, my knuckles will fond memories.

The block drain plug is found to the right of the oil filter, it is a 9/16 hex head. You may need to poke a piece of coat hanger or screw driver in the hole.

Omg thank you so much! This looks exactly like my rad but no certified mechanic could figure out what the problem was like wow! Just kept flushing my rad every 2 months or so to stop that or maybe they were just scamming money like everyone does now a days

@johndoee4742

2 жыл бұрын

What mechanic doesn't know about the notorious 3.1 intake manifold gasket lmao

It would be best if the block drain plug is taken out, after the radiator is first drained. It saves getting coolant in the interior of the engine. Good video!

Seems like it would be a good time to replace the thermostat because that's a big job too and you're already into it.

yep. i agree i should do the maintenance, which i do on a monthly basis. I believe every car owner should also have basic maintenance understanding as well. If you dont, then you should bring any issues to your mechanic asap. You should not wait for a few weeks until the mechanic ask "hows the car doing", then you say "i guess its fine, but the car's been getting 19mpg for the past 2 weeks."

Thanks for the vid. Is the smell of burning oil a sign of this too? I also looked in-between the lower manifold and block without removing anything and could see moisture and brown sludge residue. doesnt look bad like its leaking alot but Im going to do them either way. just ordered all the parts from rockauto, fel-pro gaskets. I also have brown sludge in my overflow reservoir as well

@DIYTinker

10 жыл бұрын

i didnt smell burning oil, but i could imagine it would happen eventually.

awesome video! you just forgot to show us your finale...

This is why I bought a Toyota. I had the same issue with my Buick which I still have because the engine is still strong

11.17.13 there are two block drain plugs on a V-type engine.

no one uses a quick disconnect tool for the gas lines.if you do you don't have to touch the fuel real.

You just a new Subscriber!

The 3.1 is a good engine, just replace the gaskets it is better than any of the new Oboma emissions garbage they build now.

@bentrimble2167

7 жыл бұрын

your an idiot

Hey awesome video. on the rear valve cover bolts, did you use an 8 mm swivel-socket or a u-joint adapter? People are leaving the rear valve covers on because of the stud holding the coil pack. Thanks

@DIYTinker

9 жыл бұрын

i just used a swivel. hope that helps.

I've had the same problem with my '95 Century. Coolant was just flowing into the engine. At first I thought it was the head gasket, but after using a pressure checker, the leak looked like it was coming from the intake manifold gasket. Sure enough, that was the issue by the looks of it. Gonna go get the parts and put it back together this weekend. By the way, what were the symptoms you were experiencing? Mine were high temperature, constant loss of coolant, and milky oil.

@rashidjackson8548

Жыл бұрын

That's what my Buick century 2003 doing now

Well...after watching this video..i have completely changed my mind on getting a Buick Century. I'll stick to the 3800🤯😁

@richerich853

4 жыл бұрын

Same problem, the 3800 is the same design just bigger displacement.

@andrewoliver9686

4 жыл бұрын

@@richerich853 But it's so much fun to work on 👌😁

I am a Buick Fanatic soon I'll be buying a 2000 Regal LS as my first car & has the 3800 Series II V6 motor I thought about buying a century as my first car but sadly has the 3100 motor & can have issues with the intake manifold head gasket which is common, but is the century a good first car? I want the Regal because the regal has the 3800 motor

@nicholaswarner1143

7 жыл бұрын

Mark from [fordmustang98guy] Believe me when I say Buick Regals arnt except from gasket issues, specifically intake manifold issues. I had a Monta Carlo with the 3800 and that blew a manifold gasket. I now have a Buick Century and that blew a manifold gasket. GM used crap gaskets on these cars, it is a very well known issue. Whatever you do, replace those damn gaskets

@lilbig1717

4 жыл бұрын

I've owned both the gen2 3.8 and the 3.1 both are very reliable as long as you do routine maintenance on the car

Did you have to flush the radiator and reservior since it have been contaminated with oil mix wit anti freeze?

Buick dealer in Indy just quoted as $800 for upper gasket replacement and $1200 for lower. If they had said $600 for lower I'd have considered letting someone else do it but I think I'll spend a weekend wrenching to save $1,000. Thanks for the post!

@DIYTinker

10 жыл бұрын

Thanks for posting the cost/quote it cost to replace. Im sure you'll get it done. it just takes a long time to get to the darn thing.

i have the same problem with my 04 buick lesabre. mechanic told me it would cost between 700 to 1000 $ to fix.

Are we sure those rockers and pushrods had to come out? The lower intake came off with touching any of that stuff. Can't one work around the pushrods?

I have the same problem and I am going to try to do it my self.

@DIYTinker

10 жыл бұрын

Good luck, and give us an update once you've completed it.

Is your helper having a heart attack?

dyi tinker..did you have a bad manifold or gasket? just recently i checked my radiator and it too had brown gunk.i did some online research and found that the gm required "dexcool" causes this type of buildup when it gets old.my car is running great so before i start tearing apart my engine ,i will try a radiator flush first

@matholmes4764

5 жыл бұрын

I have done this in my 04 impala 3800 series 3 times in the last year so every 4 months I've flushed my rad and it has hastened this brown growth it has been 2 months and mine already looks way worse than his

@tough990

5 жыл бұрын

It's from the dexcool. You didn't have a blown anything. The coolant needed flushed.

@matholmes4764

5 жыл бұрын

@@tough990 how often does it need to be flushed because it seems maybe once a month maybe more times I could flush my rad out and will be right back after 100$fees I would be better off selling my car

Is it possible to have oil sludge in the coolant. But not in the motor?

17:00 Pretty good tip

What coolant is in it? I have read that Dexcool (Deathcool) can cause problems like that.

@fatboyshadetree5139

8 жыл бұрын

same here. im looking into this because a friend is having me redo the coolant flush because she has a big build-up of clay like sludge after i did a massive(flushed clear 4 times) radiator flush-n-clean before.

Big job, did it all come together fine? Lots more work than I expected it to be....

@DIYTinker

10 жыл бұрын

yes, it came together fine. the car's been running great. The car doesnt use any oil, doesnt mix any oil with coolant and doesnt use any coolant. I use to have 29ish MPG, now i have 27ish MPG. not a big deal, but i do wish i fixed it earlier.

@checkfoldcallraise

10 жыл бұрын

DIY Tinker I must thank you for this video because my grand prix with the exact same engine showed the same symptoms for the intake gasket not sealing. I am used to doing routine maintenance on my car but never a job this big. Viewing this a few times over gave me the confidence to do it and it worked out beautifully. It is very satisfying to do this job at just the cost of parts and saving money on labor. A local shop quoted me 440 dollars to just install the gasket set that i bought. Plus while I had everything out of the way I changed the plugs and thermostat. I took my time and was patient and really that is the key to this is not losing your cool. When that happens i take a break. I truly thank you for this video tutorial. From one DIYer to another!

@DIYTinker

10 жыл бұрын

***** that is just wonderful. your post made my day. happy to know this worked out for ya!

@Greenrosettas

3 жыл бұрын

@@DIYTinker how did your repairs hold up over the years?

I can't find videos part two and part three!

Most likely you had an overheating issue because of a spun bearing and low oil pressure the intake manifold it's only when you put it on that it doesn't seek properly is the very common issue to mess with it at all without it leaking was a mistake the brown stuff that was probably some kind of stop leak because it's already critically overheated and blown a gasket somewhere one of the first things you do walk up to the engine with a cold hold it radiator cap off and have somebody started and see if it blows water out instantly they're supposed to be some movement but it should in no way blow water inches out of the radiator with it cold if it does you got a head pressure leaking into your water jacket

I just changed the intake gaskets on a 3.8, this looks like a bigger pain than it was. The old gaskets were complete junk falling apart, hopefully that was the source of my problems and not the head gaskets, did this fix your problem?

@aeridyne

6 жыл бұрын

Really good question, I'd like to know too as I'd really like to avoid doing the head gasket as well if I don't have to!

@JcArn-du5iq

5 жыл бұрын

Same boat?? What ever happened with yours? I’m starting to tear in on mine hoping it’s just lower intake gaskets

Did that really solve your problem? Because there is no oil passageways in that intake. And it sure looks like coolant flows into the throttlebody and back out right away. It doesn’t look like any coolant passageways in that intake either. So where on an intake gasket what oil get into the coolant?

My first big job, I have a 2003 pontiac grand prix 3.1 would that be comparable to this?

@DIYTinker

10 жыл бұрын

looks like it. i added a link above.

I have a 1999 century with the 3.1 can anybody help me find the that black front pipe called the thermal bypass pipe assembly or coolant/thermostat bypass pipe will a year 2000 one fit because the part number is discontinued?

My 1994 uses the same motor as the 2003, why is that? Doesn't GM use different engines for the newer year vehicles?

@DIYTinker

9 жыл бұрын

you might want to check out the wiki. earliest is 1999. you might have a new motor in an older car?? en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Motors_60%C2%B0_V6_engine

How did you know it was your manifold

It took me about 2 hours

Use fel-pro gaskets not the oem plastic ones...

did not show the real problem, the brown thing may not came from blown gasket, the gaskets look black colored, what's wrong?

It is raining and it is night time but I am halfway done.

@cotyreed047360

Жыл бұрын

Awesome man!

Anyone know what the going rate is to get this problem fixed> I have the 03 buick century and oil is for sure mixing with the water. White smoke from the tail pipe and chocolate milk looking stuff in the engine block as well as the brown sludge in the radiator. Going to get if fixed but don't know how much it should cost

@DIYTinker

10 жыл бұрын

im not sure, but i would expect 5-8hrs ish of work + parts. 8 x $100 + $50 max??

@KReedLove1

10 жыл бұрын

thanks

@vincehinson4041

10 жыл бұрын

I just had a quote of $800.

My 2001 Buick century has 50,000 miles and this just happened to me. 😢

so if you have slugde like that. then you should do this>???

How many miles were on when this happened my 97 century has the gasket problem but its only got 118k I work at a shop so me and my boss are doing it but just curious how long your gaskets lasted

@coopercourville5980

8 жыл бұрын

mine went out at 105000

@willyswednesdayreview6760

2 жыл бұрын

@@coopercourville5980 108000 for me.

Maybe stupid question.... Why pull out the push rods?

@DIYTinker

9 жыл бұрын

helmet098 start looking from 18:01 and you might see the gasket wraps behind the push rods

@helmet098

9 жыл бұрын

DIY Tinker Aah yes. I see now. So the rods go thru the heads at an angle that exposes them Under the intake. Engines be crazy.

@topherd1011

8 жыл бұрын

+helmet098 getting those rods and rockers back in and in spec are a BIIIIIIIITCH...

@randomdude01989

5 жыл бұрын

They sell a tool so you dont need too remove rockers. Makes it a ton simpler

Hey my car jerks when I accelerate & I noticed the same sludge in the radiator, is the jerking caused by this?

@LeoLove77

9 жыл бұрын

You have a blockage in your cooling system.

@alexm2623

8 жыл бұрын

Sounds like 2 completely unrelated issues. Blockage in the coolant system somewhere, and pray it's a u-joint or IAC problem causing the jerking and not your transmission.

Does having a bad intake manifold gasket cause the brown sludge in the radiator ¿

@DIYTinker

10 жыл бұрын

brown sludge is caused by oil mixing with your coolant.

@Claroboy911

10 жыл бұрын

DIY Tinker how much would it cost to fix that issue? If it was actually rust how much would that cost too?

@tough990

5 жыл бұрын

Actually... Oil mixing with water makes chocolate shake. Dexcool causes acid buildup and RUST. When the coolant level gets low and OXYGEN is allowed to enter the system Dexcool turns to a darkish RUSTY COLORED GEL

Cars are designed and built to fail. SO that you go out and buy another one or pay for expensive repair so they can sell more parts and more cars.

@st3p4hen

7 жыл бұрын

That makes sense, because car companies biggest goals are always to design a crap car that breaks down a lot. Car companies design the best car at a reasonable price. If car companies produce cars that are "designed and built to fail" the other companies would just produce a better car and run them out of business. Producing quality cars is what will make someone buy another car of that brand. I'm assuming your experience with cars has been with cheap cars (or imports), or you just don't take care and do proper maintenance

@mackenziehughes1955

7 жыл бұрын

Stephen Kennedy

@raytrex

6 жыл бұрын

you're full of crap .If a car company wanted to build a quality car they damn sure would not put a plastic intake gasket on a car where the most heat and vacuum,hot & extreme cold temperatures take place.the cars in the 60 & 70s and long before that ,the engineers were wise enough not to put a plastic intake gasket on an Oldsmobile anyway.No damn wonder GM is called a junk car today and that has nothing to do with maintenance or the type of antifreeze you use.My Dad bought a new 1964 Oldsmobile for 4000 dollars, off the showroom floor and it was built tough Today they charge 10 times that much with a bunch of cheap ass plastic everywhere ,even inside the engine.Thats the down fall of this engine re notorious for the intake gasket failing.YOU NEED TO READ UP BUDDY,AND LISTEN TO YOUR GRAND PA OR DAD.

U didn't need to take the bolts out all the way just losen them n pick the front of Rocker up and it comes out

why do all that work when the car wasnt overheating or anything? a simple flush and fill would have done the trick I imagine.

@st3p4hen

7 жыл бұрын

When there is crap in your coolant you don't just flush it out and refill. Think about it, how did all that sludge get in the coolant, there is most likely a leak in the intake manifold gasket, or a blown head gasket. Flushing and refilling will clean it out yes, but it's just gonna get more crap in it at a exponentially faster rate, because leaks only get worse and worse until you have a bigger problem.

lol. nop. it was around 29mpg. After the above issue, now its down to 27mpg ish.

Did GM engineers really went to school? Did they just smoke pot instead of studying, this engine is one of the ridiculous thing I've seen

@ferrallands2596

9 жыл бұрын

raph salh Think that was the point of the engineers going to school.....to learn how to make this engine as difficult to deal with as possible in order to discourage people from working on them so they will pay money to have gm do it.

@itsnotallrainbowsandunicor1505

7 жыл бұрын

I said that to myself while dismantling the lower intake from the engine.

@danp7463

7 жыл бұрын

raph salh I AGREE 100% This is a result of not drug screening engineers. I'd buy foreign before I ever buy anything built by GM. Everyone I know that owns a GM vehicle has had too many problems with the little mileage that's on the car. Wait til someone you know has to replace the belt tensioner that has a coolant passage in it. Another smart move by Garbage Motors.

@randomsanwhich2

6 жыл бұрын

Ray Sidney my 3.1 had 198,000 before I sold it. Never burned a drop of oil. This was a very good engine.

@45AMT

4 жыл бұрын

These things suck to work on! Try replacing an oil pan gasket on one of these.

the funny thing is that the head gasket is cheaper then the intake manifold

Blown head gasket anytime you see that brown stuff in your radiator it's called oil

Better how did gasket on manifold lead to sludge in your radiator

@ammieunruh1441

4 жыл бұрын

The gasket fails which allows coolant and oil to mix which is where you get your sludge / mayonnaise

no, brown sludge is just an indicator of oil mixing with coolant. It could have been the head gasket, but this car is notorious for the intake manifold gasket going bad. Which is why i did this, and i was correct.

@tough990

5 жыл бұрын

Or not. LoL

why would you pull off the fuel rail next time just disconnect the lines

@DIYTinker

9 жыл бұрын

first time doing it with no instructions. just showing how i did it. I think there was electric connections under the fuel line.

@woody95124

8 жыл бұрын

+elder699 ..didn't he disconnect the fuel lines?...I wonder what u mean...if it saves time & more time to get it apart...why not...don't know what u mean thogh...thnx

@tough990

5 жыл бұрын

LMAO@"next time"

That’s a tad bit to much silicone my man I’ve seen guys come back to shop with issues with overdoing silicone but to each his own.

p.s. my wife said she agrees with you.

I'm having a hard time taking the final bolt off the valve cover near the distributor. I left the front valve cover open and for the rain there is some water. Is this fine?

You could of flushed it an added 2 cans of mendtite for 7 bucks a bottle and drove it another 100k

you notice theres no part 2

@htatesil4192

3 жыл бұрын

Scarry lol

Ughhhh . Just checked my radiator and res. Looks like brown mud. Think ill just let a mechanic do the job. You lost me on all the sensors and fuel rail. I know now why its a 1000 dollar job. Might try to get some under the table to do for 600$

@DIYTinker

10 жыл бұрын

sorry man. i was just winging it and see whats in the way... it takes time...

@elementbassmd

10 жыл бұрын

No need to be sorry. Just talked to the mechanic he said the gasket is fine. Needs radiator flush and induction kit . So relieved.

@nunyerbidness6417

10 жыл бұрын

Michael Diodato Da fuq? That's supposed to repair a major oil leak? How did that work out for ya?

fucking fuel rail lol

Yeahhhh I knew u were doomed when u said ur wife never tells you when some thing is wrong with the car but that how women are they just drive the car thinking nothing bad will happen to it

@lindaharkey1233

9 жыл бұрын

Andrew Espinoza HEY !! not all woman are STUPID!! I am Getting ready to replace my water pump ALL BY MY SELF!!! I HAVE ALWAYS WORKED ON MY OWN CARS THANK YOU!!! GRANTED MOST WOMAN ARE TO WORRIED ABOUT THEIR NAILS OR MAKE UP BUT its amazing what a pair of gloves can do for your nails... plus now adays you vcan find anything on YOU TUBE

@bUtMyRiGhTs

9 жыл бұрын

Linda Harkey The ones that aren't stupid are crazy!

@lindaharkey1233

9 жыл бұрын

HEY now that is not true either !! LOL Mr. Shane

@raytrex

6 жыл бұрын

You are one of the few exceptions,most women all they think a car needs is gas, thats the only instrument hand they watch.

@timothyryan2847

5 жыл бұрын

Maybe have her out there too. You know , equality?

HEAVY BREATHING

how the hell slugs get in there i think your on drugs maybe

If this is your wife's car, why isn't she doing the work?

@jo3c939

5 жыл бұрын

Troy Eppstein 🤗🤫🤣

You took the gaskets and ran away, I wanted to see actual problem. I think there was nothing wrong with those gaskets, you did this job for views. If you ask me

this guy is a joke he doesnt know crap about the mechanics he bareley could take the thing apart he surely didnt put back parts to engine that car is worthless now he fixed it

@aeridyne

6 жыл бұрын

So the fuck what? I don't know shit either and it was really helpful rather than nothing at all to go by. He didn't say he was a mechanic, do it like this because I know how or whatever.

Way too slllooowww Ummm ahhh I'm ahhhhhhhhh out of here, ummmmmmmmmmmmmmm Seeya