My LIMG Project [Archive]

Beholder88

03-08-2009, 09:35 PM

Here's a link to some day one dissassembly pics:

http://s722.photobucket.com/albums/ww227/beholder88/Day%20One%20Dissassembly/?albumview=grid

Day two dissassembly coming soon!

Beholder88

03-08-2009, 10:10 PM

Here's Day Two Dissassembly pics:

http://s722.photobucket.com/albums/ww227/beholder88/Day%20Two%20Dissassembly/?albumview=grid

So far I've got all of the wiring disconnected, the alt removed and the power steering pump moved. I got the UIM taken off and the throttle body nice and clean. I'm getting some industrial solvent from work sometime this week to clean the UIM and the intake manifold once I get it off. I'm only really able to work on this a few hours a day, and I have to go to Ft. McCoy in WI from the 19th to April 5th for training. I probably will not be done by then. I want to make a video of everything with descriptions and whatnot, then post it on youtube. Hopefully the video doesn't turn out as long as it takes to do the project.

hok666

03-08-2009, 10:14 PM

Keep this updated as often as possible I'm interested in getting a 2door alero someday:( and I might want the 3.4L v6 or I was thinking of going with the 3.5L DOHC V6. The one engine that was in the green OSV alero...

cherrington17

03-08-2009, 10:15 PM

why are you holding the oil pan up with a block?

Nate's Alero

03-08-2009, 10:16 PM

LOL im in the middle of mine too, just put the new gaskets in, and the pushrods, and tourqed the rockers back in, and that is how she sits as of right this second.. ill add my pics also tommrow :)

-Alero-

03-08-2009, 10:32 PM

lol at emissions on your car

Cliff8928

03-08-2009, 11:55 PM

why are you holding the oil pan up with a block?

To remove the belt. You have to lift the engine to get enough room between the mount and bracket.

lol at emissions on your car

I saw that one too... A.I.R. sucks. Even if it does help the converter light-off.

Beholder88

03-09-2009, 07:18 AM

To remove the belt. You have to lift the engine to get enough room between the mount and bracket.

I saw that one too... A.I.R. sucks. Even if it does help the converter light-off.

Yeah, I had to lift the engine about an inch or so to get the AIR pipe and bracket off, also needed the clearance to get a socket into the holes in the power steering pump pulley. There's one bolt that you can't get to if you leave the engine where it sits. Has to be the dumbest setup ever. I'm swapping the belt I have with a Goodyear GatorBack, always had good results from those. I was almost thinking about blocking off the AIR system, but I don't have access to a programmer to fix the ECU if I do.

Nate's Alero

03-09-2009, 08:05 AM

what is the AIR system, where is it located? i have a 99 alero and had no problems getting my belt off (hint, remove the mount)

Beholder88

03-09-2009, 08:47 AM

This is the AIR system, it's the same on the rear of the engine as well. Has something do to with helping the O2 sensors warm up right after you start the car I think. California Emissions crap.

Beholder88

03-10-2009, 07:31 AM

Ok, I spent about 2 hours on this last night, and didn't have time to upload any pictures. I'll get to that tonight. When I removed the valve covers there was a creamy white-ish orange build-up all over everything. Damn coolant has been leaking into my oil. I'm going to have to go pick up some oil and a filter. I've got plenty of coolant, allthough I didn't see any oil in the stuff that I drained out. I'm wondering if I should take this opportunity to switch to synthetic?

Beholder88

03-10-2009, 12:09 PM

Here's a link to my day three pics:

http://s722.photobucket.com/albums/ww227/beholder88/Day%20Three%20Dissassembly/?albumview=grid

You can see the sludge in some of them from the coolant getting into the oil - yummy.

99alerogirl

03-10-2009, 12:15 PM

hey! the guy who had this engine i'm taking apart def had the LIMG problem too... there's milky looking oil EVERYWHERE. looks about like yours haha.

Beholder88

03-10-2009, 12:32 PM

Yeah, PITA definately! You should get the kit before you even think about putting that thing back together. I'm going to get a cheap oil filter, some oil, and engine flush this week. I'll flush it out after I'm done putting everything back together and re-fill it with nice, clean oil and another new filter.

rustyballs_69

03-10-2009, 12:38 PM

I can't really tell from the pics but it looks like the o-ring is missing from the inlet fuel line. Make sure you get a new one. They are real easy to mess up when putting the line in the fuel rail.

Beholder88

03-10-2009, 01:48 PM

I can't really tell from the pics but it looks like the o-ring is missing from the inlet fuel line. Make sure you get a new one. They are real easy to mess up when putting the line in the fuel rail.

Ha! Funny you should mention that. I spent about 30 minutes looking around my engine bay for that thing last night. I'll look again when I get the time. Trust me, I definately noticed. I also lost the one from my 3100 when I did this on my Malibu.

cliffordwoeller

03-10-2009, 02:44 PM

ok so I have a noob question, what is lim and uim, I know the endding of those are ...intake manifold right ? whats the rest ?

cliffordwoeller

03-10-2009, 02:52 PM

ok I am retarded and once again proven tat the search button is very effective i am sorry my fellow moders

Beholder88

03-10-2009, 04:04 PM

Upper Intake Manifold and Lower Intake Manifold...

Just got myslef a gallon of industrial solvent from work, will be using that to clean up my UIM and LIM, as well as the lifters and push rods. This stuff could eat through anything. I used it when I did this on my Malibu - better than the store bought stuff.

kwhauck

03-10-2009, 04:14 PM

why don't you just go to a machine shop and pay them $35-$50 to hot tank the parts, it will do a better job than any solvent will.....

Beholder88

03-10-2009, 04:16 PM

Nah, this is free. You're really into spending money aren't you? I look for the best way to do something as cheap as possible. Someday when I have the money I might go that route, but for the time being I'm working with what I have.

kwhauck

03-10-2009, 04:22 PM

i'm into doing things right the first time, if you half-ass it, you get half-ass results, plain and simple.....

Gr1m

03-10-2009, 04:31 PM

i had a shop clean one of my heads that was getting repaired anyway and i cleaned the other one with a razor/brake cleaner and finished it with emery paper and you could definately tell the diffence

Beholder88

03-10-2009, 04:43 PM

Oh, I'm not doubting anyone here. I'm willing to bet they would do a great job. I just don't have the time - or money to spend to have someone else do something for me. I'd rather do it myself, if anything just for the experience.

Beholder88

03-11-2009, 01:52 PM

I only spent about 2 hours on this last night, got the old gaskets off and everything cleaned up. I also cleaned the valve covers, lifters, push rods and part of the LIM. I only took about 4 pics and two videos. I'll post the pics along with day 5 when I get there. I will not be able to work on this tonight, need to watch the kid.

cherrington17

03-11-2009, 02:27 PM

man... you guys and your taking time doing this. i have a mech friend coming over and we'll hopefully crank mine out in 1 day. i can't afford alot of down time w/ my car.

Beholder88

03-11-2009, 02:32 PM

Luckily, I've got my sisters car. I haven't had a full day to work on this yet. I won't until next Thursday, and by then I will probably be done. I'm taking my time on purpose though, I want to fully document everything.

Nate's Alero

03-11-2009, 02:41 PM

man... you guys and your taking time doing this. i have a mech friend coming over and we'll hopefully crank mine out in 1 day. i can't afford alot of down time w/ my car.

that is what i tried also, have fun and god luck, you are gonna need it

Beholder88

03-11-2009, 02:43 PM

Everything is actually going along quite well at the moment. I just need to clean a few things up and then I can re-assemble. The worst part about it is that I still need to replace my starter as well. The coolant was leaking down on to it and it is now freezing. It will only start about 50% of the time, the other time I have to bang on it with a hammer or something.

Beholder88

03-13-2009, 07:41 AM

I found the missing O-ring. It's in one of my day three disassembly pictures, only one of them got the right angle. I looked everywhere for about an hour, and then just happened by it last night during re-assembly. If someone can find it I'll give you a million dollars. Right in front of my friggin face.

Beholder88

03-16-2009, 07:22 AM

Nate's Alero

03-16-2009, 07:59 AM

Finally finished this project. She fired up last night and ran perfectly. I just drove it in to work this morning and everything seems to be working fine. I'll take it home tonight and double check under the hood to make sure nothing is leaking and call it fixed. My new 180 degree t-stat is working as it should, opens up when the temp gauge is just below half. I'll try to get the rest of the pictures posted tonight, and will also get a video togather of the entire project as soon as I can. I'll post that up on youtube.
When you took out the pushrods, did you put them in like, exactly as you took them out?
My engine sounds like it has no compression, and I know I have them in the right order, but I know I flipped them over when I pulled them out, but I know they are in the right order
Help?

Gr1m

03-16-2009, 08:24 AM

Beholder88

03-16-2009, 08:26 AM

Yes, You need to meke sure you put them in exactly as you took them out. There are 4 that are longer than the rest, and if you put them in the wrong place your valves will be stuck open. I'm pretty sure the pushrods on the ends are the longer ones. All of the rocker arms should be the same(I think I mixed mine up and my engine runs fine).

Nate's Alero

03-16-2009, 08:32 AM

dude did you check the gas like i said? if the gas in your car sat for 6 months like you said there will be water mixed in with your gas. if your fuel pump puts water into the cylinders you will not have pressure in the chamber, its simple physics, you cannot compress water.

it came back with a tiny amount, but i put a match in the bottle, BOOM! so i think the gas is fine, i out them in the order like

E I I E I E

and E I E I I E

but the ends, like the ends that sit on the lifter/rocker, are the ends different???

Gr1m

03-16-2009, 08:44 AM

i would still drop the tank and put fresh gas in it man...you could save yourself a lot of time if this is the actual problem.

Beholder88

03-16-2009, 08:45 AM

No, like the rods at the ends of the heads, like cylinders 1, 3, 4 and 6. I don't know which valves, but when you are looking at the engine, the rods at the extreme left and right are the longest. You will know if you get it wrong because when you go to tighten the rocker arm down the spring will compress more than normal, or it won't touch the pushrod at all.

Beholder88

03-16-2009, 08:25 PM

Day Six pictures are here:

http://s722.photobucket.com/albums/ww227/beholder88/Day%20Six/?albumview=grid

Runs like new, 100% successful. Will get the video together when I have time.

Beholder88

03-16-2009, 08:27 PM

Forgot to post to Day four and five:

http://s722.photobucket.com/albums/ww227/beholder88/Days%20Four%20and%20Five/?albumview=grid

buickboy71

03-16-2009, 10:33 PM

There are only two different length pushrods. The exhaust and intake. The exhaust are the longer ones!

Beholder88

03-17-2009, 07:26 AM

Thank you, I couldn't remember which ones were longer. I took mine out and put them in holes in a cardboard box, so they went in exactly like they came out. I didn't do that with my Malibu, and it took some trial and error to get them in right. If it seems like they aren't fitting right, they are probably wrong. DO NOT START THE ENGINE if you think they are wrong. I would double, triple, quadruple check them before you button up the engine.

Beholder88

03-17-2009, 01:44 PM

Wow, after driving my car around for two days the difference is noticable. My car runs better, sounds better and seems to have a bit more get up and go. Much more of a difference noted than when I did this to my Malibu. :scpimp:

zzyzzx

04-22-2009, 10:18 AM

Decent writeup on Yahooo answers:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20071206205927AAJ1QHy

Beholder88

04-22-2009, 11:22 AM

Decent writeup on Yahooo answers:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20071206205927AAJ1QHy

I guess it's an okay writeup, but lacking some details.

Nate's Alero

04-22-2009, 11:56 AM

I guess it's an okay writeup, but lacking some details.

LOL, lacking a lot more than that, still the GAGT writeup is the one i based mine off of and im still going strong

Beholder88

04-22-2009, 12:42 PM

I read the one on GAGT, very good and well written. I more or less did mine for myself. Once I get a working version of Adobe Premiere I'll be able to throw together a video of the whole thing. Mine runs so much better now that it isn't leaking coolant into my intake!