2002 Alero Oil in AntiFreeze

[jratism]

Well long story short is that the people at Olds Customer Service kept things pretty well open ended as to afford themselves the luxury of having excuses after all the facts were presented. Brilliant? No; probably they've had a lot of experience being lawyerish especially with the Aleros. So if you don't have a 'Relationship" with the dealer and you are NOT the original owner you are SOL getting anything out of these people.

Lesson Learned: Investigate what coolant to replace the existing with as i suspect that is what caused the Intake Manifold Gasket to go.
Later.

J R




I've been told it is an or maybe an Intake Manifold Gasket and replacing this baby is anywhere from $1,000 to $3,500... at 34,400 miles no yet. I hate this car as it has run the Gamit of Window, ABS Harness, crappy original brakes and now this problems. But anyway my questions are...

How long can I run with this problem??

Has anyone else ran replaced the Gasket and are there related issues when fixing this?

The 3 year 36,000 mile warranty is over with no extension. Is there a recall or another warranty?

Any comments are greatly appretiated.

[BNaylor]

The LIM gasket problem is a common problem on all Aleros with the 3400 engine including the 2002 model. Most if not all of us on the forum had them replaced. I was fortunate and had the gaskets replaced under the original GM warranty. The dealers have a TSB on the issue which has been out for quite some time now. I would not wait too long to get the issue resolved because it could lead to overheating problems and worse yet blown headgaskets or other engine problems.

Shop around some more because the price of $1K and up is too high for this type of work.

[jratism]

Thanks BNaylor:

What exactly is this in your reply?....?

The dealers have a TSB on the issue which has been out for quite some time now.

What is a TSB?

Also dude at Midas said they wouldn't know what they'd find once "they got in there" could this mean more associated problems? But I will shop it around the best I can. If I don't trade it in for something else in the meantime.

Thanks again!!

J R

[BNaylor]

TSB is Technical Service Bulletin. The one applicable is below. There could be other associated problems but I doubt it. Just get quotes on doing the LIM gasket job which will include the upper intake gaskets (UIM) and throttle body gasket since the UIM must be removed to get to the LIM. Make sure the new torquing procedure is followed per the TSB. The link below will give you an idea of the work involved.

Click here

Engine Oil or Coolant Leak (Install New Intake
Manifold Gasket) # 03-06-01-010B - (10/24/2003)

Engine Oil or Coolant Leak (Install New Intake Manifold Gasket)

2000-2003 Buick Century

2002-2003 Buick Rendezvous

1996 Chevrolet Lumina APV

1997-2003 Chevrolet Venture

1999-2001 Chevrolet Lumina

1999-2003 Chevrolet Malibu, Monte Carlo

2000-2003 Chevrolet Impala

1996-2003 Oldsmobile Silhouette

1999 Oldsmobile Cutlass

1999-2003 Oldsmobile Alero

1996-1999 Pontiac Trans Sport

1999-2003 Pontiac Grand Am, Montana

2000-2003 Pontiac Grand Prix

2001-2003 Pontiac Aztek

with 3.1L or 3.4L V-6 Engine (VINs J, E - RPOs LG8, LA1)

This bulletin is being revised to change the model Information. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 03-06-01-O10A (Section 06 - Engine).


Condition

Some owners may comment on an apparent oil or coolant leak. Additionally, the comments may range from spots on the driveway to having to add fluids.

Cause

Intake manifold may be leaking allowing coolant, oil or both to leak from the engine.

Correction

Install a new design intake manifold gasket. The material used in the gasket has been changed in order to improve the sealing qualities of the gasket. When replacing the gasket, the intake manifold bolts must also be replaced and torqued to a revised specification. The new bolts will come with a pre-applied threadlocker on them.

Notice

An oil leak may result if the vertical bolts are not tightened before the diagonal bolts.


Diagonal bolts may require a crows foot to tighten.

Tighten

1. Tighten the vertical lower intake manifold bolts (1) to 7 N.m (62 lb in).

2. Tighten the diagonal lower intake manifold bolts (2) to 7 N.m (62 lb in).

3. Tighten the vertical lower intake manifold bolts (1) to 13 N.m (115 lb in).

4. Tighten the diagonal lower intake manifold bolts (2) to 25 N.m (18 lb ft).

Parts Information

Parts are currently available from GMSPO.

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by jratism

Bob, Any suggestions on how not to get ripped off would be appreciated....

If you have DIY capability doing it yourself may be the best route. However, if not contact Olds Customer Service. Some Alero members on AF were able to get GM to cover a portion of the repairs (up to 50%) if they hollered loud enough.

Oldsmobile Customer Assistance Center
Inside the U.S.: 1-800-442-6537
Inside Canada: 1-800-263-3777

Other than that try shopping around and look for an independent mechanic that is trustworthy and reliable and has experience with GM 3400 engines. Get more than one quote and then make the decision based on the expense. Run a BBB check too. Good luck!

[jratism]

Good Idea Bob... I've called before with no luck on something else (ABS Sensors) but I am up for a fight. This is bougus..how do they let cars leave the line like this. 32,000 miles!!

Thanks! I'll let you know.

J R