GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Buick 🢒 1997 🢒 Riviera 🢒 Engine 🢒 Engine Mechanical - 3.8L 🢒 Engine Replacement

Removal Procedure
  1. Remove the hood. Refer to Section 10-5.
  2. Disconnect the negative battery cable. Refer to

    Caution: Unless directed otherwise, the ignition and start switch must be in the OFF or LOCK position, and all electrical loads must be OFF before servicing any electrical component. Disconnect the negative battery cable to prevent an electrical spark should a tool or equipment come in contact with an exposed electrical terminal. Failure to follow these precautions may result in personal injury and/or damage to the vehicle or its components.

    in General Information.
  3. Depressurize the fuel lines. Refer to Fuel System Pressure Relief in Engine Controls.
  4. Drain the coolant. Refer to Draining and Filling the Coolant System in Engine Cooling.
  5. Drain the engine oil.
  6. Remove the radiator hoses. Refer to Radiator Hoses Replacement in Engine Cooling.
  7. Remove the heater supply hoses. Refer to SECTION 1B.
  8. Disconnect the negative battery cable from the engine block.
  9. Disconnect the engine harness connector at the bulkhead.
  10. Remove the drive belt. Refer to Drive Belt Replacement .
  11. Remove the power steering pump. Set the pump aside. Refer to Section 3B.
  12. Remove the air flow duct.
  13. Remove the throttle cable from the throttle linkage.
  14. Remove the engine mounting bracket. Refer to Engine Mount Bracket Replacement .
  15. Remove the other applicable cables from the engine.
  16. Disconnect the wiring harness connectors from the following locations:
    17. • The MAT sensor
    • The throttle position sensor
    • The idle air control valve
    • The oxygen sensor
    • The A/C compressor
    • The oil pressure switch
    • The power steering cutout switch
    • The vehicle speed sensor (VSS)
    • The low oil level sensor
  17. Remove the ignition coil assembly ground strap from the fender inner panel attaching screws.
  18. Remove the fuel feed and return lines from the fuel rail and the pressure regulator.
  19. Remove the emission control canister hoses from the throttle body connections.
  20. Remove the brake booster from the engine vacuum connections.
  21. Remove the heater control hoses from the engine vacuum connections.
  22. Raise the vehicle. Suitably support the vehicle. Refer to SECTION 0A.
  23. Remove the exhaust pipe from the right manifold.
  24. Remove the A/C compressor from the engine. Tie the compressor back away from the engine.
  25. Remove the engine to the transmission bracket.
  26. Remove the flywheel cover. Refer to Engine Flywheel Replacement .
  27. Remove the starter motor. Refer to Starter Motor Replacement in Engine Electrical.

    28. Important: Use a scribe in order to mark the relationship between the flywheel and the torque converter. This ensures proper reassembly.

  28. Remove the torque converter to flywheel bolts. Refer to Engine Flywheel Replacement .
  29. Lower the vehicle.
  30. Attach a suitable lifting hook and a chain to the engine lifting bracket.
  31. Raise the engine slightly in order to take weight off of the mounts.
  32. Remove the torque axis engine mount. Refer to Engine Mount Replacement .
  33. Support the transmission.
  34. Remove the engine to transmission bolts.
  35. Separate the engine from the transmission.
  36. Raise the engine.

Installation Procedure
  1. Lower the engine.
  2. Install the engine to transmission bolts.
  3. Install the torque axis engine mount. Refer to Engine Mount Replacement .
  4. Raise the vehicle. Suitably support the vehicle. Refer to Section 0A.
  5. Install the torque converter to flywheel bolts. Ensure that the relationship between the converter and the flywheel is the same as it was prior to disassembly. Refer to Engine Flywheel Replacement .
  6. Install the starter motor. Refer to Starter Motor Replacement in Engine Electrical.
  7. Install the flywheel cover. Refer to Engine Flywheel Replacement .
  8. Install the engine to the transmission bracket.
  9. Install the A/C compressor.
  10. Install the exhaust pipe to the right manifold.
  11. Lower the vehicle.
  12. Install the brake booster hose to the engine vacuum connections.
  13. Install the heater control hoses to the engine vacuum connections.
  14. Install the emission control canister hoses to the throttle body connections.
  15. Connect the fuel feed and return lines to the fuel rail. Connect the fuel lines to the fuel pressure regulator.
  16. Install the ignition coil ground strap to the fender inner panel.
  17. Connect the wiring harness connectors to the following locations:
    18. • The MAT sensor
    • The throttle position sensor
    • The idle air control valve
    • The oxygen sensor
    • The A/C compressor
    • The oil pressure switch
    • The power steering cutout switch
    • The vehicle speed sensor (VSS)
    • The low oil level sensor
  18. Install the throttle cable to the throttle linkage.
  19. Install the engine mounting bracket. Refer to Engine Mount Bracket Replacement .
  20. Install the other applicable cables.
  21. Install the air flow duct.
  22. Install the power steering pump to the engine. Refer to Section 3B.
  23. Install the drive belt. Refer to Drive Belt Replacement .
  24. Connect the engine harness connector to the bulkhead.
  25. Connect the negative battery cable to the engine block.
  26. Install the radiator supply hoses. Refer to Radiator Hoses Replacement in Engine Cooling.
  27. Install the heater supply hoses. Refer to Section 1B.
  28. Refill the coolant. Refer to Draining and Filling the Coolant System in Engine Cooling.
  29. Refill the engine oil.
  30. Connect the negative battery cable.
  31. Check for the proper oil level.
  32. Check the fluid levels.
  33. Inspect for fluid leaks.
  34. Inspect for the proper completion of repairs.
  35. Install the hood. Refer to Section 10-5.