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GM mini van best engine

5 messages,  Last post on Dec 05, 2007 at 5:23 PM

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What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Lumina Minivan, Chevrolet Venture, Chevrolet Astro, Van

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#3 of 5 3.1L V6, 3 speed auto by albanybill Aug 29, 2007 (9:46 pm)
My 1994 Chevy Lumina APV has the 3.1L & the 3 speed auto, which have proved reliable for 97,000 miles. 18 mpg average in mostly city/suburban. The kids always hated the "Dustbuster". Too wierd looking for them. Worse, as years have gone by, & there are few Dustbusters left on the road, I've taken to flashing the Peace sign at any other Dustbuster I pass. The kids are not amused. Recently, I purchased a 2004 KIA Sedona EX with 27,700 miles on it to replace the Dustbuster. The dealer only offered $500 trade on the 94 Chevy, so I decided to keep it and use it as a spare car and for going to the dump. Family NOT happy, as they consider the Dustbuster to be an eyesore. I, on the other hand, take a perverse delight in the Chevy, and plan on keeping it as long as possible. Anyone else out there still have a Dustbuster? I joined the Edmunds Forum for the KIA, but will gladly share Dustbuster stories. Thanks, AlbanyBill Replies to this message: fsdriver (Oct 10, 2007 6:58 pm)
#4 of 5 Re: 3.1L V6, 3 speed auto [albanybill] by fsdriver Oct 10, 2007 (6:58 pm)
Replying to: albanybill (Aug 29, 2007 9:46 pm) Yes, this may be the best engine-transmission combo. My 94 Lumina APV is at 227,554 miles tonight, still original motor and transmission, neither has been overhauled and both work well. More amazingly it is used as a heavy tow vehicle with a 4400 lb boat behind it 4 days a week - with many 600 mile weekend trips as part of a waterski show team. (see pictures at www.5sst.com and you will see how serious we are!)   Anyway the TBI 3.1 engine does not have the intake leak problems, and the only transmission problem with the 3 speed auto is the torque converter lockup switch - gets sticky after 150 k. Cost about 20 bucks, or 80 bucks including labor at a transmission shop.   Currently burns 1 qt/4000 miles, Mobil 1 0W20 or 5W20, change every 10 K   The seal on the Distributor shaft goes bad and leaks a lot of oil after 100K, new seal is about 5 bucks, did it myself, but the labor should be pretty cheap. Seal fixes it totally.
#5 of 5 Re: GM mini van best engine [voiceofstl] by stan3plman Dec 05, 2007 (5:23 pm)
Replying to: voiceofstl (Feb 25, 2007 11:27 am) Hi   You probably forgot this post but I'll put my 2 cents in on this one.   The 3.6 will likely be the basis for the strong V6s in the future, because being DOHC and developed with VVT and now Direct Injection, it is competitive with similar sized engines used in comparable cars from Japan and Europe (and even Korea!).   The 3.9 is likely to be used in Chevys only is Bob Lutz has his way. Because it is an OHV design, some inherent problems with NVH can't really be fixed (that is why the 3.8 is going disco, which is really too bad). I personally think the 3.9 is a good engine though, last time when in Florida rented an Impala with this engine and the cylinder shut-off, I really liked it.

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