Didn't see that stubby work on that 8mm bracket bolt at about 12:48 into the video well enough. Did not have a 8mm stubby so had to remove the exhaust crossover piece. The bolts were a bear. Had to cut them and almost couldn't get the remaining studs out. That bracket bolt is so close to the crossover pipe. It only needs to be loosened and that bracket piece comes out. I'm still amazed at how you got that done even with a stubby. I'm still in process on this repair. Probably take me 2 months not 3 or 4 hours.
Safe to say I will be paying someone to do this job. Ended up doing it myself. It took 12 hours but got to replace and clean a lot of stuff while I was in there.
Ahhh the 3800!!! Lost count of how many times I've done this same repair. Head gaskets too. I've owned quite a few of these engines (best car was a Buick Park Ave) and I've repaired ALOT of these engines. Heck, the ole lady's 07 Grand Pricks has one in it. Hard to totally dislike these engines. Every one I've had pulled strong, decent fuel milage, and fairly reliable. Just don't get em hot.
I made sure that was the last thing I said lol. Something as cheap as a thermostat or cooling fan switch can really cost you on these engines. Go ahead, ask me how I know...lol
Omg the sight of this exact bodty style haunts me from when i worked in a shop! These heaps of sheet came in every week with this trash engine. All i rember was gaskets tight wire looms that were cracked and dry rotted! A hidden bolt in the middle back and pushrods
Great vid Bro. A bit of a talk through what your doing as you do it would be great for us novices though... best vid Ive seen so far though. Cheers man.
Thank you for this. I think it'd be great to show the tools needed for the job laid our and described before starting. Would be a great addition to the video if possible. Thank you again.
That's pretty thorough on disassembly. I'm looking at having to do this same thing. Can you ballpark me a guess on what kinda price to expect if I have it done?
Thank you so much for making the video! Do you know if this job gets neglected for long enough will coolant spray out of spark plug holes?? (Asking for a friend) I actually witnessed it and wondered if the engine is toast?
@@Bryan916 thanks for your quick reply, that was kinda my gut feeling too, also why it's heading to the "Recycling yard" I'm going to tackle this job soon on the wife's 06 lacrosse that's magically losing antifreeze, just did the heater core a few months ago, this should be a piece of cake compared that! 🎉 New subscriber here!
mines leaking water behind that alternator somewhere dripping down on backside of engine,, leaks quite a bit,, heater core hoses seem ok,,any idea ? is this known on the 3.8 buick
Didn't see that stubby work on that 8mm bracket bolt at about 12:48 into the video well enough. Did not have a 8mm stubby so had to remove the exhaust crossover piece. The bolts were a bear. Had to cut them and almost couldn't get the remaining studs out. That bracket bolt is so close to the crossover pipe. It only needs to be loosened and that bracket piece comes out. I'm still amazed at how you got that done even with a stubby. I'm still in process on this repair. Probably take me 2 months not 3 or 4 hours.
Safe to say I will be paying someone to do this job. Ended up doing it myself. It took 12 hours but got to replace and clean a lot of stuff while I was in there.
😂😂😂 man im thinking the same , but id like to keep them hundreads tooo
😂😂😂😂 I use too think that about my 3.4 but once u do it you get real cocky man this is way easier than the 3.4 series
oh man, great job! step by step tutorial, doesnt get any better than that. you can fix on my cars any day.
Ahhh the 3800!!! Lost count of how many times I've done this same repair. Head gaskets too. I've owned quite a few of these engines (best car was a Buick Park Ave) and I've repaired ALOT of these engines. Heck, the ole lady's 07 Grand Pricks has one in it. Hard to totally dislike these engines. Every one I've had pulled strong, decent fuel milage, and fairly reliable. Just don't get em hot.
100% agree with you, great engine, but whatever you do DO NOT HEAT THEM UP!
I made sure that was the last thing I said lol. Something as cheap as a thermostat or cooling fan switch can really cost you on these engines. Go ahead, ask me how I know...lol
@@Bryan916you made it look so easy. how long actual time should this job take an experienced mechanic/ repair shop ?
@@jameslilbro89 Somewhere around 4 to 5 hours for just the lower and upper intake gaskets!
@@Bryan916 I appreciate the reply. Great video, you know your stuff!
Way to go bro I love how you roll from one tech to another 👍🏾👍🏾
Omg the sight of this exact bodty style haunts me from when i worked in a shop! These heaps of sheet came in every week with this trash engine. All i rember was gaskets tight wire looms that were cracked and dry rotted! A hidden bolt in the middle back and pushrods
Great vid Bro. A bit of a talk through what your doing as you do it would be great for us novices though... best vid Ive seen so far though. Cheers man.
Thanks for the tip
Thank you for this. I think it'd be great to show the tools needed for the job laid our and described before starting. Would be a great addition to the video if possible. Thank you again.
The plug wires can be held out of the way toward the battery with a bungee cord.
Great video as always I have an 01 century custom with a 3.1 did the same shit.
Great video keep them coming 👍
That's pretty thorough on disassembly. I'm looking at having to do this same thing. Can you ballpark me a guess on what kinda price to expect if I have it done?
Somewhere around $400 to $600
@@Bryan916 for just labor or including parts
Thank you so much for making the video! Do you know if this job gets neglected for long enough will coolant spray out of spark plug holes?? (Asking for a friend)
I actually witnessed it and wondered if the engine is toast?
There shouldn't be that much coolant getting inside the cylinder Theirs probably more going on than just an intake leak!
@@Bryan916 thanks for your quick reply, that was kinda my gut feeling too, also why it's heading to the
"Recycling yard"
I'm going to tackle this job soon on the wife's 06 lacrosse that's magically losing antifreeze, just did the heater core a few months ago, this should be a piece of cake compared that! 🎉 New subscriber here!
I get an exhaust smell as I’m driving, could this be the problem? 03 lesabre
Well! Got my seal kit in for the same motor today. 🙏🏿 for me I'm going in. 🤣
You got this Ray!
🤔 I think I have to redo my intake gaskets brother. I have a vacuum leak. High sensor readings 😢
About how many hours did it take to do just the lower intake gasket? In 2021..
mines leaking water behind that alternator somewhere dripping down on backside of engine,, leaks quite a bit,, heater core hoses seem ok,,any idea ? is this known on the 3.8 buick
Check the coolant elbow first!
@@Bryan916 I do know the alternator would have to come off to see exactly where its leaking, you can see it pooled up some behind it
@@Bryan916 would you know what tha parts are called or gasket ?
@@wonderwond www.amazon.com/Dorman-47065HP-Elbow-Type-Heater/dp/B00A1A6PT4
@@Bryan916 facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=3466544343362185&set=a.3466544143362205&type=3&theater
Good work my friend. I wish you more subscribers and maybe you can make a little money here.
Thank you!
always disliked this engine, everything is awkwardly placed...