1998 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Service and Repair Manual

This factory service and repair manual for the 1998 Chevrolet Monte Carlo covers a pair of pushrod V6s, the 3.8L of 231 cubic inches and the 3.1L of 189 cubic inches, in a two-door coupe sold as LS or Z34. Both engines are naturally aspirated and run on gasoline, which keeps the fuel and emissions material on one path; the differences that matter to a technician are dimensional, and the bore, stroke, clearance and torque sequence figures are listed separately for each of the two.

Engines covered

• 3.8L V6 (231 cu in) — OHV, naturally aspirated, gasoline
• 3.1L V6 (189 cu in) — OHV, naturally aspirated, gasoline

Body styles covered

• 2-door coupe

Trims covered

• LS
• Z34

Known issues on the 1998 Monte Carlo. Five recalls are on the federal record. Two of them describe the same fire path: engine oil that can be deposited on the hot exhaust manifold, particularly under hard braking, where it can ignite below the heat shield and spread to the plastic spark plug wire channel and beyond. The second of those was issued for cars already repaired once. Another covers a steering rack whose lower pinion bearing retainer can release its ball bearings and stiffen the wheel. Of 102 complaints, service brakes lead with 23, then steering with 17 and engine cooling with 13.