New to this forum, my buddy has a '01 malibu and it has a hole in the timing cover, thus it is leaking. The deal for him is if he can fix it he can have it. How complicated is the gasket job for this and how much would a new timing cover cost? Also, aside fro a JY where could one be sourced? I'm used to working on escort gt's miatas and 350 small locks, but never a v6 besides a vg30de. Any advice is appreciated on price and difficulty, also if anyone has done this, steps to do so would be greatly appreciated. Thanks guys (and gals).
If it's as simple as a gasket then that should answer itself by just replacing it. Sounds, though, like there is actually a hole in the cover that the gasket doesn't seal. If the hole is not where it has to support another accessory then you might try JB Weld or something similar. If the hole is so large that that is undesirable or impractical then you might be able to source a replacement at Rock Auto. They are reported by other members to be very good on prices and service - a rare combination!
Due to the fact that it's where the "front" (passenger side of car) motor mount mounts, I'd HIGHLY recommend a replacement.
Actually, since it looks like it's easier to pull the motor to replace it than do it in the body, I'd consider pulling a K-member with motor and tranny out of an Alero or same-gen Grand Am (to get the 3400!), rebuilding it, and stuffing that into the Malibu. Or at the least, go ahead and do the head / LIM gaskets that are more prone to leakage on this motor (the 3100 V6).
Most appreciate the quick responses. I work with my buddy and he is due back into the office soon. We're both gravers and I will pick his brain for specifics and post up in, say, about 15 minutes or so. thanks again!
I had a '97 Grand Prix with the 3100. (I know, hard to believe, but it was 7% of the engines that year, while 17% were the 3800 super-charged, and 76% were the 3800 air breather.) I was leaking coolant every time I turned around. Fix one and another would leak, fix it and another would leak. Problem is it was all those @#$@% devices on top of the engine, not the LIM or other gaskets, and it was right in the middle of an extremely cold spell (20° overnight, barely freezing daytime) so I was driving with no heater and no way to defrost the windshield except by using up all my washer fluid. Had to drive with the windows down to keep the inside from fogging up. 2 weeks of that and I "traded" it in on my '09 'Bu. Sure was nice to have heat, and on top of that I had heated seats, too!
Anyway, the LIM is pretty common from what I read about the 3100's. Listen to RalphP and he'll guide you well.
Buddy is looking to fix this one up and trade it in for a newer one so, getting this one fixed without hitting a shop for $800 is the key ;D UIM must be done while going after LIM?
or at least making this one appear to not have a problem so he can trade it in is more like it. BUT if we end up just fixing it he may just use it for a while.