I have a 1981 Buick regal, with a 231 V-6......Been having some engine troubles, and not sure where else to look. It has a new water pump, new timing chain, new coil, distributer, and alot of other new parts, too many to mention. When you first start the car, you have to really pumpl the gas, and keep pumping for about 5 minutes before it starts. It had a new carb. on it, and we just rebuilt the new carb....but no luck. When you are driving down the road, when you press on the gas, it acts like it doesn't get any gas. The engine bogs down. When it first started acting up, it acted like there was water in the gas tank. Kept putting dry-gas in it, and it just kept getting worse. Like I said, we have rebuilt the carb. and replaced the float and a condenser (?), but still is running the same.....Does anyone have any other idea's?? Have too much money into the engine to start over. This engine has just over 100,000 miles, but has been kept up good. And like I said, alot of other new parts on it also....Thanks!!
Attention! Seargent, I'm sorry to inform you this is one of the worst motors that I have ever dealt with. My wife had an '81 and they were set up to be a lean burn motor which basically means when it's running the best it can it still $&#%*'s. The one thing we found that would breath some life back into the motor was a new EGR valve. We finally got rid of hers cause ever time you would pull away from a stop you were never sure if it would go or die. Sorry for the bad news but that's just the way it is.
1981 regal ive worked on these engines a few times over the years. you said you have to pump it for 5 minutes before it starts. what i would do 1st sarge is disconnect the fuel line to the carb. get an empty container and stick the open fuel line ni it. CAREFULLY have a helper crank over the motor for 30 to 45 seconds. see how much fuel you get in the container. you should have at least 1 pint of gas. if not you have a fuel delivery problem. as these fuel pumps are inexpensive you could pop one in fairly quick. if its not the pump you could have a clogged strainer in your fuel tank. another thing is check your fuel line from the gas tank all the way to the carb. i had a regal once that had a rotted out piece of frame actually pinched the metal fuel line to the point where the car would not start, drove our shop nuts till we found the problem. good luck
The 231 (3.8 litre) Buick V-6 is a strong motor, but as DugsSin mentioned, the way the factory set it up to run lean gave it a baaaaaad reputationou: as far as drivability and perfomance, but I certainly wouldnt ditch the whole car. I had an 81 Regal also, it ran ok, no huge problems, but when i swapped the 4.1 litre 4bbl. intake onto it, AND the computer controlled Rochester Quadrajet, plus the GN exhaust, man, it REALLY woke that motor up!!:beer Hope that gives you a bit of inspiration on not giving up on the baby Buick 350 V8. Mark
Hi SeargentDimples: I would also look into the possibility of having a clogged catalytic converter. Bad converters exhibit similar symptoms. Hope this helps some and good luck! Dave
