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Intake Manifold leak detection...


McLin
06-08-2010, 03:31 AM
Hi,

how can I find out which intake manifold is leaking?

I lost coolant, so I can fill up every 2 wekks from hot to cold mark if the engine warmed up.

the oil looks fine, but the coolant must leaking somewhere.

So how can I find out which manifold is leaking?

Oh it smells like burned plastic in the engine area if the engine warmed up.

thx.

Airjer_
06-08-2010, 11:14 AM
What year, what motor?

McLin
06-08-2010, 01:15 PM
Sorry 3.8L Series 2 1998 LTZ

maxwedge
06-08-2010, 02:48 PM
More than likely it is the upper intake, the egr passage is close to the coolant passage behind the throttle body, this melts thru and coolant gets into the engine.

McLin
06-08-2010, 03:16 PM
Cool thx.

From Rockauto.com:

DORMAN Part # 615180 {OE Solutions; Includes All Gaskets and Seals as Required #89017272}
Includes All Gaskets and Seals as Required; w/5-5/8" (145mm) Diameter Alternator; Designed specifically to work with Dorman OE Solutions Intake Manifold Gaskets only.
Includes All Gaskets and Seals as Required; w/5-1/8" (130mm) Diameter Alternator; Designed specifically to work with Dorman OE Solutions Intake Manifold Gaskets only.

Is this a good replacement part?

maxwedge
06-08-2010, 07:06 PM
Yes, had one on my 98 LTZ.

McLin
06-12-2010, 12:08 PM
Today I had filled in some water in the coolant reservoir. I saw some oil on the top of the cooling water.

My question is: Is the same symptoms for upper intake manifold? Is there any oil line where can get oil in the cooling water?

I did replace the lower intake manifold on another Lumina, but the symptoms was that coolant goes in the oil...

maxwedge
06-12-2010, 01:58 PM
Trans fluid could get into the cooling system thru the trans cooler in the radiator, but that would be reddish, not brown.

McLin
06-12-2010, 03:19 PM
nop, it was brown...

If there is a leak in the upper intake manifold then its possible that the oil in the intake manifold can get into the coolant passage? Maybe if the engine is cold and the pressure is not high.

I dont know how possible that is.

maxwedge
06-12-2010, 07:51 PM
It is all guesswork, take off the throttle body and look at the egr and coolant passages for a better idea of what may be happening.

McLin
06-14-2010, 03:17 PM
I ordered the Intake Manifold Set and the Fel-Pro Intake Manifold gasket kit ,with all gaskets.

I dont open the engine without new parts. I report then what it is.

mastertech1964
06-17-2010, 04:05 PM
its a common problem with the 3.1 and 3.4 engines to have the lower intake leak coolant gm has a redesigned gasket set available the quick check is to look for staining where the lower intake and heads meet the engine block at the lifter valley check both the pulley end and trans end of the engine

McLin
07-06-2010, 01:15 AM
I I replace the parts, can I take away the lower cooler hose and run the engine a couple of second that the most coolant go out?

maxwedge
07-06-2010, 05:32 AM
Yes.

dazarooney
08-04-2011, 11:31 AM
Did you fix the problem McLin?

McLin
08-04-2011, 12:32 PM
No, this weekend I will do the stuff, I have experience from the other Lumina... But hope the L hose from water pump to lower intake will not brake.

McLin
08-06-2011, 02:33 PM
Job is done, but the screw from the Belt Tensioner is broken, it turns with the turn, can anybody give me an tip what I can do that I can install the belt last time without replace the whole Belt Tensioner...

McLin
08-14-2011, 09:02 AM
Ok, now I have a problem, if I get faster then 100km/h or 60 miles he is short stuttering, and after this the car is driving regular but on test drive the engine light goes on for 10 sec. and then its goes off forever.

McLin
08-14-2011, 12:12 PM
Is there any option the can run cooling water in to the transmission on changing the lower intake manifold basket?

McLin
08-15-2011, 11:45 AM
P0171 was the trouble code which was stored

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