When it involves GM’s legendary 3800 V6, not even a gooey, lethal cocktail of oil and coolant can kill it. But it may well definitely make a multitude of issues.

The orange juice-like combination you see right here is the results of mixing orange-colored engine coolant with oil to create a sickly sludge that normally spells doom for inside combustion elements. A latest engine teardown video from I Do Cars on YouTube examines the results on a Series III 3800, the final word evolution of GM’s enduring 3.8-liter six-pot that had its origins within the Nineteen Sixties. This specific mill got here from a 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix GT with 126,000 miles on the clock, and it is definitely seen higher days.

That a lot is for certain from the start, when orange coolant pours from the engine drain plug as a substitute of oil. Without correct lubrication, it would not take lengthy for an engine to grab up from warmth. But this mill nonetheless turns over by hand with out subject, exhibiting some robust compression within the course of. The teardown would not reveal a lot in the best way of issues till the decrease consumption comes off, at which level we’re greeted with all the issues.

The decrease consumption manifold gaskets failed sooner or later, which brought about the coolant to leak into the oil. Portions of the gaskets are straight-up gone, however a deeper investigation reveals this engine was used lengthy after the gaskets failed. That led to goop build up in oil and coolant passages, getting issues scorching sufficient to soften parts of the gaskets into the heads. Yikes.

With such a multitude, we would absolutely count on damage to the cylinders and bottom end. Alas, there’s none. The lifters are coated in goop and the oil pan seems to be like a disgusting milkshake, however the cylinder partitions, pistons, and crankshaft aren’t too unhealthy. Yes, there is a bit of damage in spots, however contemplating the overall lack of lubrication inside this engine, the previous 3800 lives as much as its legendary standing. Even the rod bearings look adequate to reuse.

The video concludes that the engine may possible be rebuilt with a lot of its authentic elements regardless of all of the orange juice within the oil. We knew the previous 3800 had a popularity for being indestructible. Thanks to this video, we have now a greater look into simply how sturdy this engine really is.