3.4L DOHC GM engine, in car repair possibilities.

Question

Is it possible to replace piston rings without pulling the engine from the car, I've heard some horrid stories about the engine cradle, and can it be done without lifting the car in the air, but with jacks/stands? I am able to perform such repairs, I just normally specialize in Chrysler.

Also, is the 3.4L DOHC a freewheeling engine, or is it a valve bender? And is there any common problems with these engines? She's burning oil at startup (valve seals) and at acceleration (p-rings).

Thank you ahead of time for your input.

Answer 1

you have too much time on ur hands to b writing that much

Answer 2

replacing the rings may not solve your problem. you'll need to check the bore as well or you will destroy the new rings .(at the least you will have to hone the cylinders ) the motor does not wieght that much and is fairly easy to remove. it could be the timimg chain or belt has given up too. you wont have comperssion in the right places and it will bend valves if you try to turn it too much. you'de be better of pulling it out to do the repairs. that way you can do ALL the repairs and not just "bandaid" or cover up a bigger problem later. why bother doing it half way and have the same problem in no time flat..or worse!   good luck

Answer 3

I would say emphatically NO! I used to work on these motors and constantly cussed them out. I have pulled one of them out to replace the crank, bearings, and chain. I had a hoist to do it, so I would say no it would be very hard to get the car up far enough to drop the whole cradle, trans. and motor out as that is how they come out. Once you get the whole drive train out, it's not that bad to disassemble the thing, but there are some weird things to this motor.  

Answer 4

I'm not an expert on this engine but All Data says you can change the Rod Bearings without pulling the engine so that tells me you can pull the pistons without pulling the engine.