95 at the end of her rope... :(

Hello Riv Performance,
I've been using your awesome database of Rivvy info here for the past few years to successfully take care of several issues I've had with my 95, but this is the first time I've had to make a post myself. This, in itself, is a testimant to a really helpful and informative community you all have put together here. Well done everyone.

Now, to the issue at hand:

Let me start by saying this poor girl has been through hell. 3 t-bone collisions and some pretty serious neglect at times (by me, for shame, I know) but she's still getting me around but not for much longer I'm afraid. I'm 95% sure I've got a blown head gasket, which I'm not willing to fix or get fixed. Oily looking gunk in the radiator, massive oil consumption, massive coolant consumption, misfires and pukes white smoke when I get on the throttle, slight white smoke when idling, sweet smelling exhaust, etc. Etc. If anyone would dare tell me this wasn't a classic case of a blown head gasket, I wouldn't believe them, but would be more than willing to try any inexpensive possible fix to keep her on the road.

So, after accepting the fact that my baby is now on the inevitable decline, I ask first for any ways I can prolong her final crash and burn. I'd like her to at least get me through to spring time and warmer weather as I normally cycle to and from work during the warmer months anyways.

My next question is : Anybody interested in a white 95 3800 s/c with some body damage and a probable bad head gasket?

There's a chance this could be an extremely overdue LIM gasket repair. Left long enough, it could cause your symptoms. Head gasket is a possibility, but it's uncommon with these engines. Has the engine ever overheated?

Appreciate the reply. No over-heating. Never. Not once.

Here's some reading, might help: https://rivperformance.editboard.com/t2283-write-up-lower-intake-manifold-lim-gaskets

Thanks again AA. I'll take a look at the write-up and see if its something I might be willing to take on myself before I give up on her.

I'd also like to quickly add that the car only has around 115k miles on it. I assume the low(ish) mileage would point even more so to the LIM and not the H. Gasket, eh?

Thanks for the help so far.

LIM.

Did the series I use plastic LIM gaskets like the Series II?

Update : The new aluminum gasket is on order. Supposed to arrive friday so hopefully I can get her done over the weekend. Had to go through the dealership for the genuine gm part. I checked around 4 or 5 places and all they could get me were the plastic fel-pro gaskets. Cost me just over $68 from the dealership. Scored the supercharger gasket and o-rings from auto-zone for under $10 though.

Anyone that has done this before have any words of wisdom or extra things I should pick up before the weekend? Also, any specialized tools I might need to borrow or buy? I read the write-up but I'm certain, as with most everything else, its easier said than done. Edit : Also, the write up is for a series 2. Is there anything I will need to do differently on the series 1 that you guys know of?

Thanks a ton for the help gang.

Cheers,
Pork

what youre going to want to go ahead and do is, sell that 95 off for whatever you can get for it, then get yourself a '97+. Ok? Ok.

Make me an offer charlieRobinson?

Zack, did you get the LIM gasket for Series I SC? I believe they were different from Series II SC.

Yes sir, which is why they had to order it in. Was a few $ cheaper than the series II.

Alright, working on getting all my ducks in a row so I can tear into this saturday morning. I have gathered soi far : 1 GM aluminum series I LIM gasket set, 1 fel-pro super charger gasket and o-rings, 2 cans of brake cleaner, 1 can of carb cleaner.

I still need to pick up the grey sealant and also the abrasive pads for removing the old rtv.

Is there anything else anyone would reccomend me picking up before saturday? Also, I'm under the impression that all I should need are basic hand tools, like a simple socket and wrench set, maybe a pry bar and hammer, and a torque wrench. Is this accurate? And for my last question : Will it be accurate to follow the clubgp write up for the series II LIM gasket replacment on the series I? I'm hoping for someone who has done the LIM gasket on a series I to speak-up and say, "Yes."

Cheers

I haven't done it to mine but it should be almost identical to the series II procedure. One difference is you won't have to screw with coolant elbows. I would do an oil and filter change shortly after completing to get rid of any coolant or debris that gets to the pan. I'm kind of surprised yours failed as I have not heard of this problem on the series I. 218,000 + miles, maybe I've been lucky.

Thanks pbrktrt. I want to add that I pulled the s/c last winter to replace the coupler. So I will have a good idea where to start. Also I found a write up on here for doing the LIM specifically on a 95. Haven't read it yet as I'm at work but I'll post a link to it when I get home.

Thanks as always guys.

Edit : Here is the link : https://rivperformance.editboard.com/t4250-write-up-lower-intake-manifold-change-on-a-95

Zack - don't sweat the LIM job. It's not much more work than when you changed your coupler. I've done LIM jobs (Series 1 and 2) more times than I'm willing to discuss, and it's pretty simple once you get into it.

I found that sometimes, removing the alternator on the Series I makes things a little easier, though not really necessary.

The reassurance is much appreciated, Z-type. I remember opting to remove the alternator when I did the s/c job. Also when I had to replace the harmonic balancer (that was fun, since I wouldn't consider myself at all a mechanic). Damn thing dry rotted and eventually the outer ring that the belt runs on was free to spin independantly from the center piece that bolts to the crank. This made a wonderful sound as it bounced back and forth on top of itself. And that's the story of the first time I thought I was going to have to say goodbye to my Riv. Then came the accidents. Now this...

Cheers

Edit : I'm sure I used all sorts of improper terminology in this post. As I said, " I'm no mechanic."

porkchok wrote:

Alright, working on getting all my ducks in a row so I can tear into this saturday morning. I have gathered soi far : 1 GM aluminum series I LIM gasket set, 1 fel-pro super charger gasket and o-rings, 2 cans of brake cleaner, 1 can of carb cleaner.

I still need to pick up the grey sealant, some loctite and also the abrasive pads for removing the old rtv.

Is there anything else anyone would reccomend me picking up before saturday? Also, I'm under the impression that all I should need are basic hand tools, like a simple socket and wrench set, maybe a pry bar and hammer, and a torque wrench. Is this accurate? And for my last question : Will it be accurate to follow the clubgp write up for the series II LIM gasket replacment on the series I? I'm hoping for someone who has done the LIM gasket on a series I to speak-up and say, "Yes."

Cheers

Andrew could you adress my questions from this previous post? Disregard the one about the clubgp write-up, as I am going to use Karma's '95 LIM write-up. Which can be found here : https://rivperformance.editboard.com/t4250-write-up-lower-intake-manifold-change-on-a-95.

Thanks

Karma's write-up is top notch. I'm pretty sure he lists all the tools needed as you read through the steps but I normally use:

8, 10, 13, 15mm sockets
3/8" socket
Obviously ratchets and various extensions just in case
Torque wrench
Needlenose pliers (for the throttle cable clips and fuel injector connector clips)
Pry bar just in case
Baggies for holding nuts and bolts
Misc pliers and smaller screwdrivers

I think maybe the only other thing I'd look into picking up would be some fuel injector O-rings. They should be had very easily at any parts store. With the mileage on your car, it's a good bet at least a few need replacing.

Also, new oil and filter .

Ah, yes. I forgot to list the oil change but I've got that already also. Thanks for the awesome reply and the heads-up on the injector o-rings.

Cheers!

Of course! Happy to help!

Do you think its necessary that I go with the aluminum GM gasket on the series 1? From what I'm gathering they don't generally have "as bad" the LIM gasket issues the series 2 does. I know it seems silly to replace an inferior part with another inferior part but I'm currently strapped for cash. If I can save $30 and use the fel-pro kit and get by for the next few months till I can actually afford to do the work on this car it really needs, that would be nice.

I replaced the intake gaskets with the regular Fel-Pro ones years ago when my Series I was still in my old Riviera. Since then, I've swapped that engine into my T-type, changed them, but they had over 20,000 miles on them without any issues before replacement.

The problem with the Series II was the formulation and contamination reactions with DEX-Cool fluid and the plastic gaskets. Since the earlier engines still used green coolant, aluminum gaskets aren't really deemed necessary.

In short, you can put the plastic gaskets on, in my opinion, without any worries of them failing at any time in the near future. Perhaps give the car a good coolant flush while you're doing this job and you should be in even better shape!

Picked up the fel-pro kit for $22.99 at auto-zone instead of the GM kit for $69 from the stealership. Should have everything I need.

2 questions : How should I go about cleaning up my injectors while I have them pulled? Should I use carb cleaner or just gasoline? Also, are the chemicals that are available at most parts stores for flushing your coolant system any good? If so, which brand/variety would you recommend? I'm guessing the gunk in my radiator is from the previous owner mixing ethylene glycol and dexcool. I have never had the cooling system flushed since I've owned the car.

Thanks again.