I've been catching-up on the maintenance of this 04 Monte Carlo 3400 SFI Car I bought. I plan to be a very intensive Maintenance Guy. Regular Oil and Filter Changes. Staying with all the recommended maintenance scheduled. I don't plan on making any Mods nor lining-up for Quarter Mile times. I'm just going to "Drive it" ...

Am I going to get some long miles on this Engine without it breaking down on me. What are some of the things that "Go" ... and, what's it cost to replace them when they DO give-up the ghost?

Right now, I'm lining-up a Tranny filter and douche and heve plans to replace all the Brake Fluid.

If I'm good to this Car ... how good will it be back to me???

 

I know GM had problems with the 99-01 model year 3400 engines Lower Intake Manifold gasket leaking. But I was told that the problem was the type of bolts they used had a tendency to loosen off, and that GM changed this for 2002 and up.

My suggestion would be to make sure the bolts holding the L.I.M. are torqued down properly.
Other than that, it should be a decently good car.

 

The 3400 is famous for leaking intake gasket, but once changed, they pretty much hold together. The problem with the 3400 in a Monte Carlo is the weight to horsepower ratio. In my opinion, too heavy a car for a little 3400 which was designed for the Malibu, Grand Am, etc.It's like the 2200 they put in Malibu, Grand AMs, it is just too small. With that said, You take care of it, and avoid Mountain driving, and the the engine should last you a long time (3400=150k)(3800=250k)(LS4 V8=???)

 

My Hot-Rod days are all behind me. Now I'm into having a decent looking and comfortable ride with just enough power to go from Boston to Albany NY and keep up with the lead-foots inn their exotics. If this Plant will give me an 80 MPH Cruise Control for the couple of hours it takes to get from Boston to Albany ... I'll be a happy guy. Right now I'm still in the Honeymoon Phase of getting to know the Engine and internals. Got the new Fuel Filter on today and I plan on being Mr. D-I-Y on all the little things that need to be done to keep it happy and running good for a few years.

It's a fun car for me and has more whack than the Old Ladies 4 Cylinder Honda Civic and in my opinion ... more comfortable, too. So, all I aneed to know ... and the Chevy Site mentioned the gasket was updated ... is will it go the distance without crapping the bed on me. Looks like that answer might be YES!

Good! 'Cause that's what I wanted to hear!

 

Who ever told you GM updated the gasket lied to you. The 3.5 is not the same motor, and the new 3.4 motor in the GM cars is made by Suzuki.

Regardless, beware of the gasket and if you take care of it, it will last you a long, long time.

 

What should I do? Pull the Stock Fasteners and get some hardened Cap Screw Type? I'm interested in doing the work before I need to do it ... prevent ... rather than waiting for it to fail and having to Repair it.

 

What can you do to prevent it... I guess you could get rid of the 105K Dex and replace your coolant with the old green stuff. The problem with the gasket is the incapability of the Pink Dex with the materialsthe gasket is made of, or at least that is what the mechanics tells me.

 

I had a 2000 Monte Carlo LS with the 3.4 and it had almost 80K on it when I sold it. It never broke down on me or required anything other than maintenance. The only things I did to it was trans fluid & filter change, oil changes, new plugs & wires. That's it. I should have kept that car.