REMOVING ENGINE LIFT BRACKETS on the 3800 V6 S2 RWD -- Everyone is here for this comment, lol: Discovered oil in my coolant in a recently acquired 1995 Firebird with this same engine. Since I knew I'd have to dig down to the LIM gasket anyway, I took the opportunity to replace the valve cover gaskets/grommets, plenum gasket, thermostat, and heater elbows, plus clean out the throttle body and oil + coolant flushes. The biggest bitch of this already difficult (see: cramped) job is the ENGINE LIFT BRACKETS located at the rear of the engine on the passenger side, and on the front of the engine on the driver's side. These brackets each block one bolt holding on the valve covers. Don't listen to the yokels who tell you to hammer it out of the way or some other nonsense- you're more likely to damage the engine than make a dent in the brackets. The driver's side one comes off pretty easily. You can see the two bolts + one nut holding it on and remove it permanently without any ill effects. the rear passenger one is the bigger pain. Bolt #1 on that bracket is accessed from underneath - you should be able to reach up with a 13mm box-end (at a point about even with the back of the frt/pass wheel well) and knock that sucker loose. It may take a while, but that seems to be the best way to get enough leverage and room to work with. The second bolt is trickier - it's actually a stud that goes into the head. I didn't have enough room to work with this part until I'd removed the plenum. There is a 13 mm nut securing a transmission disptick tube bracket onto this stud. remove that easily enough, and then there's a 13mm nut affixed to the stud... turn this to remove the stud, and thus the engine lift bracket. Even if you don't put the bracket back on when the work is done (as I didn't), be sure to replace this stud and resecure the transmission dipstick tube bracket.
I am just now at that point and the whole reason I was watching this video. Your comment was more help then the video. ☺ Thank you! I will follow your advice.
@@ra-raraspoutin6417 haha four years later, I'm glad it helped someone. For context, I wish I'd put the brackets back on. I need to change out the oil pan gasket this year, which requires lifting the engine enough for the pan to clear the cross member. Good luck with your work!
having the same problem with my Pontiac firebird v6 but not getting water in my oil yet my mechanic is going to replace the lower intake manifold gasket for 100 dollars plus gasket about on other 25
change out lower intake gaskets should be good to go I had oil in my radiator and changed out them plastic intake gaskets and it fixed my problem 3.8 is a good engine
does anyone know if the 3800 V6 version of the Camaro suffers from engine fire? this engine was used in Pontiac and some of their models were recalled due to engine fires.
i got a 02 l36 v6 with 65k miles on it. about how long till my shit starts fucking up? how can i negate this problem before i HAVE to change the lower/upper gaskets?
if it overheated the heads could ve warped so remove the heads and have them resurfaced it costs like 40 bucks totally worth not possibly having to redo the entire engine again and the whole top end gasket set at autozone is 101 bucks for the intake exhaust head plenum etc and head bolts are 17 bucks. also inspect lifters Push rods and the cylinder bores for rust while your up in there. tbh water in oil is a bad rebuild for someone on a budget alot can and probably will go wrong
Any updates? I need a different engine in my 2000 Camaro 3.8. Can't find one reasonably priced around here in NC. Any ideas? What other kind of cars can I get a 3.8 engine out of that would work
@@oac8383 I have a similar problem right now. My 01 camaro has a lot of oil in the coolant, and the engine is making noise, one piston or coneccting rod may be. I don't know, i am sad. I just put all 4 tires, shocks and brakes. It has 106,000 miles.
Use the felpro metal intake gasket kit. Also upgrade the plastic elbows on the tensioner for metal ones.
Johann Van Bel theres a reason why i call them "Fail-Pro".
hey chris i need to replace my 1998 3800 i want the newest 3800 i can put in my camaro do you know whats the newest engine that will bolt in?
Dave Obrien engine swaps are never as easy as just bolting it in. but 2002 is the last year they produced camaros and firebirds for a while
I wish you did follow ups man i know its 5 years too late but really needing the info here
The cat should have its own channel....
YOOOO YOU'RE CLOSE CAUSE I HEARD Q94.5 THE ROCK STATION
REMOVING ENGINE LIFT BRACKETS on the 3800 V6 S2 RWD -- Everyone is here for this comment, lol: Discovered oil in my coolant in a recently acquired 1995 Firebird with this same engine. Since I knew I'd have to dig down to the LIM gasket anyway, I took the opportunity to replace the valve cover gaskets/grommets, plenum gasket, thermostat, and heater elbows, plus clean out the throttle body and oil + coolant flushes. The biggest bitch of this already difficult (see: cramped) job is the ENGINE LIFT BRACKETS located at the rear of the engine on the passenger side, and on the front of the engine on the driver's side. These brackets each block one bolt holding on the valve covers. Don't listen to the yokels who tell you to hammer it out of the way or some other nonsense- you're more likely to damage the engine than make a dent in the brackets.
The driver's side one comes off pretty easily. You can see the two bolts + one nut holding it on and remove it permanently without any ill effects. the rear passenger one is the bigger pain. Bolt #1 on that bracket is accessed from underneath - you should be able to reach up with a 13mm box-end (at a point about even with the back of the frt/pass wheel well) and knock that sucker loose. It may take a while, but that seems to be the best way to get enough leverage and room to work with. The second bolt is trickier - it's actually a stud that goes into the head. I didn't have enough room to work with this part until I'd removed the plenum. There is a 13 mm nut securing a transmission disptick tube bracket onto this stud. remove that easily enough, and then there's a 13mm nut affixed to the stud... turn this to remove the stud, and thus the engine lift bracket. Even if you don't put the bracket back on when the work is done (as I didn't), be sure to replace this stud and resecure the transmission dipstick tube bracket.
I am just now at that point and the whole reason I was watching this video. Your comment was more help then the video. ☺ Thank you! I will follow your advice.
@@ra-raraspoutin6417 haha four years later, I'm glad it helped someone. For context, I wish I'd put the brackets back on. I need to change out the oil pan gasket this year, which requires lifting the engine enough for the pan to clear the cross member. Good luck with your work!
First thing you check is the plugs, then compression check.
having the same problem with my Pontiac firebird v6 but not getting water in my oil yet my mechanic is going to replace the lower intake manifold gasket for 100 dollars plus gasket about on other 25
Sorry 2016? The cats probably no longer with us... my bad lol
change out lower intake gaskets should be good to go I had oil in my radiator and changed out them plastic intake gaskets and it fixed my problem 3.8 is a good engine
I need to replace that entire lower intake manifold
What could cause the camero not to drive in gear?
well did you finish it ?
You’re probably gonna have to separate the top and bottom end to get to the motor actually
If they had a lift it could be pulled from the bottom
Lol, its a distributorless system. It has ignition coils that are ran by the ignition control module.
does anyone know if the 3800 V6 version of the Camaro suffers from engine fire?
this engine was used in Pontiac and some of their models were recalled due to engine fires.
i got a 02 l36 v6 with 65k miles on it. about how long till my shit starts fucking up? how can i negate this problem before i HAVE to change the lower/upper gaskets?
if it overheated the heads could ve warped so remove the heads and have them resurfaced it costs like 40 bucks totally worth not possibly having to redo the entire engine again and the whole top end gasket set at autozone is 101 bucks for the intake exhaust head plenum etc and head bolts are 17 bucks. also inspect lifters Push rods and the cylinder bores for rust while your up in there. tbh water in oil is a bad rebuild for someone on a budget alot can and probably will go wrong
Your right on, anytime you see yellowish milky oil its most likely a warped head from overheating (This happened to my 2000 Jeep).
Any updates? I need a different engine in my 2000 Camaro 3.8. Can't find one reasonably priced around here in NC. Any ideas? What other kind of cars can I get a 3.8 engine out of that would work
Buick lesabre. Buick lecurn. Buick regal. Pontiac grand prix. Pontiac boniville. Some firebird of that year have em. Buick park Avenue
Oldsmobile aurora and some other olds
Update...? Common problem on these 3.8 motors
As far as the lim gaskets they are common to fail if they have not been done
I need craftshaft bolt
whats the newest 3800 engine i can get for my 98 camaro?
Did you ever finish it?
No, unfortunately I had family problems, and I had to sell the car
@@oac8383 awe dang
How far did you get ?
How about an update ?
didn't get far. the chambers are too rusted to clean out. i'm not sure that this engine can be saved.
Oscar_TX_956
Thats to bad i have the same motor in my 2001 firebird i would have watched your economy build for future reference.
keith g w
Did you find any help?
@@oac8383 I have a similar problem right now. My 01 camaro has a lot of oil in the coolant, and the engine is making noise, one piston or coneccting rod may be. I don't know, i am sad. I just put all 4 tires, shocks and brakes. It has 106,000 miles.
Fucking head gaskets get fucked up just fix it how ever you can
You from Indiana?
Feed your cat.
Distributer cap?
Junk that 3.8 , find one with low miles in a buick.