This particular engine endured prolonged usage with air conditioning, yet its main components are remarkably in good shape despite the harsh treatment. 
Jan 27, 2024 at 12:00pm ET GM’s renowned 3800 V6 engine proves impervious to damage even in the presence of high temperatures and coolant. However, it does demonstrate some peculiar behaviors. The orange-colored mixture visible here is the result of engine coolant blending with oil, creating a harmful sludge that typically signals impending damage to internal combustion components. A recent I Do Cars engine video on YouTube delves into the findings of the Series III 3800, the ultimate iteration of GM’s enduring 3.8-liter flat six first introduced in the 1960s. The engine in question originates from a 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix GT with 126,000 miles on the odometer, and it remains in impressive condition. This is evident from the start, as orange coolant drains from the engine plug instead of oil. Without proper oil circulation, the engine doesn’t take long to overheat. Despite this, the engine can still be manually turned without complications, indicating robust compression at this stage. The teardown does not reveal many issues until a bit further down, where significant problems emerge. At one point, the intake manifold gaskets failed, causing the coolant to mix with the oil. The gasket components have deteriorated, but a close inspection confirms that the engine continued to be used for an extended period after the gasket failure. This resulted in the gaskets expanding into the oil and coolant areas, leading the material to reach temperatures high enough to liquify some of the oil in the heads. However, there is no damage to the cylinders and the bottom end as expected due to these distortions. The bearings are enveloped in a viscous substance, and the oil pan appears heavily contaminated, but the cylinder walls, pistons, and crankshaft are relatively intact. There are some minor blemishes, but considering the absence of fuel inside the engine, the old 3800 has endured quite a bit. It even looks to be in good enough condition to potentially be restored. The video concludes that the engine could be rebuilt using most of its original components, even with the presence of orange-tinted oil. The impeccable track record of the old 3800 engine was already well-known. Thanks to this video, its incredible durability is now more evident than ever. Source: I Do Cars / YouTube
