Is there a way to fix this.. or am I out of luck?

[Cr0wStuf]

I have a Oldsmobile Intrigue GL with the 3800 fuel injected engine and about a month ago I started having problems with starting it up.

About a month ago I was told by a co-worker that putting a higher test than 87 octane wouldnt hurt my car... I put in mid grade which was 89 octane. A few hours after that I guess after the fuel had started to move through the fuel line I went outside to start it and it didnt work. It turned over, but it wouldnt stay started. We got it started somehow by pumping the gas into it when it turned over but the problem was that it overheated too fast.

When you turn it on while holding the gas down it kinda sputters like its not getting gas. When I had a friend look at it.... first they said it was the fuel line. But when you started the car and it ran it would suck both the radiator hoses air tight. After looking under the radiator cap we noticed that there was a bunch of rust build up and we replaced it with a new one. Still the same problem.

Am i screwed? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[UncleBob]

you are discribing more than one problem here.

The radiator hoses callapsing is because of the dexcool sludge (the rust looking stuff you noticed under the radiator cap) It plugs the radiator cap coolant return valve. The simplist fix is replace radiator cap, and I'd recommend flushing the coolant system and put normal coolant in it.

The starting issue could be several things, but one thing its definitely not due to is having a different octane gas in the tank. You can use any of the standard pump gas octanes (87,89,91,93) it will make no runnability difference whatsoever for your car. The higher octane reduce detonation potential, something your car is not worried about at all.

[Cr0wStuf]

Well I already replaced the whole radiator with a new one. Just to see if we can get it started we'll put water into it and we'll start it... after not even a minute of running all of that water will be gone.

[alphalanos]

Sounds like its leaking. If your coolant is empty it may take a while for the level to stabilize, you might be adding coolant for a while.

[sierrap615]

Originally Posted by Cr0wStuf

When you turn it on while holding the gas down it kinda sputters like its not getting gas.

remember most fuel injected GMs will go into "clear flood mode" when cranking with the throttle fully open if the RPMs stay under 600 or so. in this mode little or no fuel is injected so if the engine is flooded it can get cleared out.

the wierd thing is, i also have a 3800 (series I) and when i press the throttle fully open, it will still start. i guess that with no air resriction and a fully charged battery the starter on my engine is strong enought to easliy make 600 RPM. but other GMs i've driven like my saturn will not start if the throttle is fully open.

[Cr0wStuf]

It will start with the throttle fully open. turns over... but sounds as its struggling to get gas. could the engine overheat because it cant get gas?

forgot to mention this is the 3800 Series II engine if that matters.

[davemaxx]

You have a coolent leak into the combustion chamber. That is normally a blown head gasket, cracked intake or Head. You are not qualified to do this repair and need to seek the help of a professional mechanic.

Good Luck!
Dave

[moez1010@yahoo.com]

If it is the head gasket I agree that it is for the well trained. Special tools etc

Water would be coming out the exaust in drips or steam?
Water may bubble back out of radiator fill hole?

Good Luck.