The 3.1 for Dummies(like me)
Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2001 11:44 pm
The 3.1L MPFI Engine is commonly found in Early 90s Beretta's and some early Cavaliers, and the Beretta Indy.
3.1L = 3.1 Liters of displacement (189c.i.d.)
MPFI = Multi-Port Fuel Injection(not the best type, but is of a good quality, others are: Sequential Fuel Injection, Sequential Electronic Fuel Injection, Programmable Fuel Injection and others)
The stock 3.1 puts out about 140 Horsepower(HP)
AND 180-185 lbs/ft of Torque
Plugs = 3 are located in the front connected to three cables, the cables are connected in a specific order, the firirng order, DON'T mix them up.  There are also 3 located in the back of the engines where they are difficult to reach(8 of 10 on difficulty scale).
Air Filter = Commonly located in the front right of the engine bay(the big area where the engine is).  It is in a plastic box held with screws... air is related to how the engine runs... the cooler and more air the better... the Air Filter is directly involved in this.
Intake Plenum = You will notice the box that contains the air filter runs a large tube into the engine, where the tube connects is refered to as the Intake Plenum, because it is the air intake.  (specifically the throttle body)
Alternator = When the engine is running you will likely see very few things actually moving in open sight.  On the left of the engine is a motor looking item with a belt running around it.  This is the Alternator and the Alternator Belt.  The Alternator control the power, how the batter charges and the electrical system works.  These can get expensive if the break... it all depends.  A stock alternator should be around 80 amps.
[/b]Fluids =
-Oil = Has a cap to pour in the oil and a dipstick to check... these are labeled.  The dipstick has marks on it to determine if you have the proper amount of Oil.
-Brake Fluid = Usually won't be low... but must be checked, without it you will NOT STOP.  There is a cap and reservoir, but no dipstick.
-Transmission Fluid = This is required for shifting gears... This is a dipstick similar to the oil dipstick, the fluids for a manual and automatic are different.
-Coolant/Antifreeze = This keeps the engine from getting too hot or too cold.  In summer antifreeze will work, but water will also... in the winter however without antifreeze you might just... well it's not pretty i bet.
Changing the Oil = a jack is helpful, but not required.  Jack up the front of the vehicle, (use jackstands as often as possible).  Slide under until you see a large metal round type object... the oil pan.  You will notice that it has one bolt facing the rear of the vehicle.  When you remove this the oil WILL come out... have something under it,(it will be a little less then a gallon idealy).  Then close bolt when drained, lower vehicle, and replace oil by pouring 4 quarts into the reservoir from where the cap was.
-----------Indy Facts-----------------
(may apply to other models)
Brakes:
-Front = Disc Brakes, which means the pads squeezes the side of the rotor (which spins with the wheel).
-Rear = Drum Brakes, which means that the shoes are pressed out against the drum, (which is the large piece that goes over the shoes)  When the shoes expand you stop
Note:  If you lose one brake line... the others will eventually be disabled, because the remaining fluid will leak out.
Exhaust:
-Consists of manifolds, pipes, Catylitic Converter, a muffler, and tips.
   Manifolds - Connect exhaust to engine
   Pipes - the things that carry the exhaust
   Catylitic converter - Does something?  Necessary for emissions, if that is required in your state/county.
   Muffler - Makes your car sound nice and quiet
   Tips - Make your exhaust look cool, no function
This concludes today's lesson in the basics of the 3.1L MPFI Engine in case your are as oblivious as i was when i got my car.
[Edited to fix some errors]
Hope this was helpful,
Jason
3.1L = 3.1 Liters of displacement (189c.i.d.)
MPFI = Multi-Port Fuel Injection(not the best type, but is of a good quality, others are: Sequential Fuel Injection, Sequential Electronic Fuel Injection, Programmable Fuel Injection and others)
The stock 3.1 puts out about 140 Horsepower(HP)
AND 180-185 lbs/ft of Torque
Plugs = 3 are located in the front connected to three cables, the cables are connected in a specific order, the firirng order, DON'T mix them up.  There are also 3 located in the back of the engines where they are difficult to reach(8 of 10 on difficulty scale).
Air Filter = Commonly located in the front right of the engine bay(the big area where the engine is).  It is in a plastic box held with screws... air is related to how the engine runs... the cooler and more air the better... the Air Filter is directly involved in this.
Intake Plenum = You will notice the box that contains the air filter runs a large tube into the engine, where the tube connects is refered to as the Intake Plenum, because it is the air intake.  (specifically the throttle body)
Alternator = When the engine is running you will likely see very few things actually moving in open sight.  On the left of the engine is a motor looking item with a belt running around it.  This is the Alternator and the Alternator Belt.  The Alternator control the power, how the batter charges and the electrical system works.  These can get expensive if the break... it all depends.  A stock alternator should be around 80 amps.
[/b]Fluids =
-Oil = Has a cap to pour in the oil and a dipstick to check... these are labeled.  The dipstick has marks on it to determine if you have the proper amount of Oil.
-Brake Fluid = Usually won't be low... but must be checked, without it you will NOT STOP.  There is a cap and reservoir, but no dipstick.
-Transmission Fluid = This is required for shifting gears... This is a dipstick similar to the oil dipstick, the fluids for a manual and automatic are different.
-Coolant/Antifreeze = This keeps the engine from getting too hot or too cold.  In summer antifreeze will work, but water will also... in the winter however without antifreeze you might just... well it's not pretty i bet.
Changing the Oil = a jack is helpful, but not required.  Jack up the front of the vehicle, (use jackstands as often as possible).  Slide under until you see a large metal round type object... the oil pan.  You will notice that it has one bolt facing the rear of the vehicle.  When you remove this the oil WILL come out... have something under it,(it will be a little less then a gallon idealy).  Then close bolt when drained, lower vehicle, and replace oil by pouring 4 quarts into the reservoir from where the cap was.
-----------Indy Facts-----------------
(may apply to other models)
Brakes:
-Front = Disc Brakes, which means the pads squeezes the side of the rotor (which spins with the wheel).
-Rear = Drum Brakes, which means that the shoes are pressed out against the drum, (which is the large piece that goes over the shoes)  When the shoes expand you stop
Note:  If you lose one brake line... the others will eventually be disabled, because the remaining fluid will leak out.
Exhaust:
-Consists of manifolds, pipes, Catylitic Converter, a muffler, and tips.
   Manifolds - Connect exhaust to engine
   Pipes - the things that carry the exhaust
   Catylitic converter - Does something?  Necessary for emissions, if that is required in your state/county.
   Muffler - Makes your car sound nice and quiet
   Tips - Make your exhaust look cool, no function
This concludes today's lesson in the basics of the 3.1L MPFI Engine in case your are as oblivious as i was when i got my car.
[Edited to fix some errors]
Hope this was helpful,
Jason