GM 3.1l and 3.4l V6 engine systems operation, descriptions and sensor locations.
Comments
3-31-11
i have a 95 Camaro with a v6 3.4 and i changed the valve cover gaskets and the
intake gaskets and now when i start it, it begins to smoke white and starts to
squeal in the front of the engine. Does anyone know more or less what it mite be?
4-2-11
Sounds like you screwed something up ! Squealing from the front is probably the
serpentine belt. Maybe it is not on correctly. White smoke is usually burning
coolant. Wrong gaskets ? Gaskets leaking internally?
4-13-11
WHITE SMOKE IS OIL BURNING RE CHECK YOUR GASKETS OR CAM SEALS
4-18-11
BLUE smoke is oil, White is coolant!
5-3-11
are the 3.1 l interference motors i have one the chain had broke and wondering if
i should change the motor
7-8-11
Transmission control solenoid where is it locate
If you are referring to the Pressure Control Solenoid, it is
located in the valve body, behind the trans side cover on
most front wheel drive GM vehicles.
11-26-11
i have a 3.1 v6 cutlass supreme and noticed the oil changed to a light brown like
coffee color, creamer i haven't started the car at all its been parked since any
ideas?????
11-27-11
I HAVE A 1999 OLDS ALERO WITH A 3.4 ENGINE. I REPLACED THE ENGINE
WITH A 3.4 OUT OF A 1999 GRAND AM. MY QUESTION IS..... HOW GOOD ARE
THESE ENGINES?
This is called a Milkshake. The coolant is mixing with the
engine oil. Have it repaired QUICKLY. Engine damage
will occur. Most likely the intake manifold gaskets.
12-27-11
I also have another problem with my 94 century 3.1 . When my car is hot, after it
and driving for and then shutting it off, it doesn't restart until the car is fully
cooled. Ive replaced the crank and cam sensors and after replacing the cam i got
a P0341 so i replaced it again but same thing. When I try starting it, it might start
for a little but u can hear it chugging and then it usually will cut. Sometimes I try to
give it gas but it will chug and then cut. If I'm lucky and feel like it, I can pump the
gas till eventually the car catches but I feel like this is damaging the car and it
doesn't always work. I'm lost with this problem and I'm not sure if it has anything
to do with my rough idling/stalling problem but this really makes my car useless
and its driving me crazy. Also, when i do get the car to start and its hot ill put it
into reverse get out my driveway and then the second i drop it into drive and hit
the gas I basically lose all rpm and the ca!
r then stalls out. No one has been able to solve this for me and I REALLY need a
fix because I've put more money into this car then it is worth now so I really want
to fix it up.
12-28-11
I have 97 transport,  3.4 and it won't keep running after I try starting it. I have
checked the fuel filter, it was OK and there was plenty of fuel pressure also, so
that rules out the fuel pump. Then I checked the fuel regulator, and no gas ran
out of it when the line was disconnected. I'm. Stumped, can anyone give me some
help with this problem? ?
1-5-12
i am putting a 2002 Buick Century 3100 engine in a 1995 Chevy Monte Carlo
1-10-12
I've been having heating problems with my 2001 Oldsmobile Alero with 3.4.  I've
replaced the water pump, thermostat, and belt, however it keep losing antifreeze
and heat.  I've taken it to several mechanics telling me that there were different
issues each time.  The last diagnosis I received was that I may have a cracked
gasket.
Yes, you could have a bad intake manifold gasket- very
common. Also may have a blown head gasket.
1-20-12
will the 3400 interchange with 3100, i have a very low mileage 3400 and my
chevy has 3100 both are 2003, i was going to use my plenum or intake what
should i expect?
3-24-12
i have a 95 Chevy Monte Carlo and all of a sudden when i put my car in park it
shuts off completely and when i stop at a light it it revs and jerks like its trying to
go again...but when i drive it rides perfectly fine..HELP!!!!!
3-29-12
for the post on 12-27-11 the possible reason for not being able to start your car
again after getting hot is probably your cylinder valves they are probably not
getting compression causing your car to heat up. another reason for this is
probably a clogged catalytic converter thus forcing the exhaust back into your
engine when experiencing these problems again open your air filter housing and
if steam is built up inside this is what is causing your car not to start is the engine
not being able to breath due to hot air heating your engine causing your engine
to shut down.
Check for a vacuum leak.
4-27-12
I have yellow and purple connection but don't remember where it goes. It's on the
back side next to the fire wall.
Those color wires usually indicate a crank position
sensor. They go from the back side lower part of the
engine, to the ignition control module.
Where is the number 1 cylinder on a 1999 Oldsmobile silhouette 3400 3.4L?
I think it is the rear spark plug on the passengers side.
I have a gushing oil leak right where the camshaft sensor is,I even pulled it out 2
make sure that was where oil was coming out. Is thr a reason that's
happining,would replacing the sensor stop the leak.2002 Pontiac grand price 3.1.
2004 Buick 3800, One day just shut off driving down the freeway. Started back..  
went to the store one day did it again Wouldn't start back.. i have no fire coming
from the coil packs... but have fuel pressure.. Any ideas?
Can i swap heads from a 2004 impala 3.4 L  to a 2000 malibu are they the same
and what about the valves?  Thanks in advance for advice.
Yes, the 3400 heads are the same.
I have a 96 Cutlass Supreme 3.1L v6. I have replaced the radiator, water pump,
cap, thermostat, all coolant hoses. Re-machined the heads and redone all
gaskets and now my car brings up a P0102 mass air flow low output code.
Replaced the MAF still same symptoms. It idles very rough and acts as if it will
stall almost like a knock i really just want my car to run good please.
Check for a vacuum leak. Check wires at the MAF sensor.
I have a 96 cutlass supreme 3.1L v6. Along with the p0102 i have p1655 and
p1652. Coolant fan and evap purge solenoid.
Will the 3.1 engine in my 1996 cutlass fit in my 2000 malibu?
Yes, it will fit. But you need to look at all the electrical
connections to see if they are the same. If not, that would
require a lot of work to get i to run right. Also some of the
brackets arediferent.
We have a 2001 Pontiac grand am gt 3.4 that is shifting hard in reverse then to
drive. Replaced the PCS and now it is shifting harder than it was before.
Transmission is fine otherwise. Changed fluid and filter, ran seafom trams
cleaner thru it. Still doing it. Now looking at the mass air flow censor. Question is I
have been told by several tranny experts that the hose from the mass air flow
censor could have a vacuum leak. Looking at this one in this car and not finding
this little hose they are talking about. Any ideas where it could be at?
There is no hose on the MAF sensor. The problem you
are having is transmission related, not engine, unless the
idle is very high. You may have a valve or valve body
problem.
i have a 2004 grandam have replaced wire harness that goes to coil pack
alternator the white section on my fuse box. Replaced coil pk and ignition switch
and it still wont start. Have turned off security system.
Do you have spark and fuel pressure?
where is serial number on motor 3.4 02 grandam gt?
The engine serial number is either on a white tag or laser
etched on a flat portion of the block near the starter
mounting area. Hard to view with the engine in the car.
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    3.4L And 3.1L V6 Engine Systems Operation Index
    kianoosh said:
    2000 Lumina, 3.1 ENG,92680 mile,changed     intake manifold gasket at 86K,new plugs (ac/Delco platinum)new wires, two weeks ago at 92550 mile,it
    started to hesitate under load,or below 3000rpm,after that it is better,but not much  new     K&n filter (old one also was K&N,I had extra one )cleaned the
    MAF sensor,fuel pressure between 47to50 PSI (key on ENG of) same after start the ENG (it won't drop) and vacuum off the regulator goes to 60
    PSI(so that is good)no smell of gas nor it is wet (fuel pressure regulator) car idles fine at 800 rpm,it only threw code P0303 (cyl 3 misfire)after I cleared
    the code never came back but same problem,I only put chevron gas, and fuel injector cleaner(chevron also) every 5k to 8k mile,so injector must be
    clean,at 92k I doubted cat be bad,O2 sensor are original(but no code)
    please help.
    MechTech said:
    @kianoosh, A plugged catalytic converter would give a huge loss of power under load. Hesitation under load is almost always ignition. If it did not do it
    prior to the intake gaskets and plugs/wires, check for a cracked plug or bad plug wire. Especially #3. So why do you think it could not be a plugged or
    faulty     fuel injector? Cleaner does not always keep them clean, and you say ONLY 92k miles? There is no time frame for an injector to go bad. I have
    had them bad at 13k miles. Brake torque engine to get it to start misfiring and look at ignition components.
    Jamaal said:
    I have just replaced the intake manifold gaskets, but I come up with a 0303 code, what can I do to fix the problem?
    BillyGM said:
    Reply @Jamaal, code P0303 is a misfire on cylinder #3. If it did not have that before, you may have messed something up. Start by checking the
    basics- spark plug, plug wire, fuel injector.
    doug wilson said:
    does any know the interchange on intakes ?