Small coolant puddles.

rbsteve · 10-25-2005, 11:12 AM

Hello again,

Ever since i have had my 98 SE 3800, small pudles of coolant have been forming just below the plenum (big black plastic thing on top of the engine) in front in little pits just in front of the fuel injectors.

I soak them up with a rag and it takes at least a month or two for them to reform again. From what ive read on the forums this is caused by a faulty upper intake gasket, correct ? Im just wondering if a leak like this is bad enough that i should see to it right away, or if it can wait till next spring when i would have a spare weekend to change out the gasket.

Thanks alot

Steve

BNaylor · 10-25-2005, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rbsteve

Hello again,

Ever since i have had my 98 SE 3800, small pudles of coolant have been forming just below the plenum (big black plastic thing on top of the engine) in front in little pits just in front of the fuel injectors.

I soak them up with a rag and it takes at least a month or two for them to reform again. From what ive read on the forums this is caused by a faulty upper intake gasket, correct ? Im just wondering if a leak like this is bad enough that i should see to it right away, or if it can wait till next spring when i would have a spare weekend to change out the gasket.

Thanks alot

Steve

01-06-01-007A
Engine/Propulsion System
July, 2001

Subject: Engine Coolant Consumption or Coolant Leak (Inspect For Material Degradation/Replace Intake Manifolds)

Models: 1995-1997 Buick Riviera, 1995-1998 Buick LeSabre, Park Avenue, 1996-1998 Buick Regal, 1998 Chevrolet Lumina, Monte Carlo, 1995-1996 Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight, 1995-1998 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight, 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1995-1998 Pontiac Bonneville, 1997-1998 Pontiac Grand Prix, with 3.8L Engine (VIN K - RPO L36)

This bulletin is being revised to correct parts and labor operation usage. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 01-06-01-007 (Section 6 - Engine/Propulsion System).

Condition

Some owners may comment on excessive engine coolant consumption, or an engine coolant leak near or under the throttle body area of the upper intake manifold.

Cause

Upper intake manifold composite material may degrade around the EGR stove pipe and could result in an internal or external coolant leak.

Correction

Follow the upper intake manifold removal instructions found in the Engine Unit Repair Section of the Service Information Manual.
Refer to the arrow in the illustration of the upper intake manifold above. Inspect the inner diameter of the EGR passage for signs of material degradation. Degradation will appear as "pitting" of the composite material in the EGR port passage.
If degradation of upper intake manifold composite material is found, replace the lower and upper intake manifolds with the following part numbers:
Lower Intake - 24508923
Upper Intake - 17113136 (includes necessary upper intake plenum gaskets)
Lower Intake Gasket - 12537197
Follow the lower and upper intake manifold installation instructions found in the Engine Unit Repair Section of the appropriate Service Manual.
If degradation is not apparent, skip to Step 7.
Verify the repair.
If no degradation is found, evaluate the vehicle for other causes of excessive coolant consumption as noted in the Engine Diagnosis Section of the appropriate Service Manual.

Parts Information

Parts are currently available from GMSPO.

Warranty Information

For vehicles repaired under warranty, use the table as shown.

Thrasher CAI, DHP v1.0 PCM, SLP Headers,
3.25 SC pulley, CAIT GMAF, 2.5 DP/Hi-Flow CAT,
u-bend delete, 160 TS, ZZP Stage 1 72mm TB,
TB spacer, MSD 8.5mm wires, Autolite 103,
Goodyear Gatorback Serp. & SC Belt,
Nitto NT555R Drag Radials
1/4 ET: 13.210 sec. @ 104.490 mph
0 - 60 ft: 1.945 sec.

rbsteve · 10-25-2005, 11:18 AM

hmm just saw you posted that in the other thread lol

here when they talk about the upper intake manifold, is that the same thing as the plenum ??

BNaylor · 10-25-2005, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rbsteve

hmm just saw you posted that in the other thread lol

here when they talk about the upper intake manifold, is that the same thing as the plenum ??

Yes. I'd get it fixed as soon as possible.

Thrasher CAI, DHP v1.0 PCM, SLP Headers,
3.25 SC pulley, CAIT GMAF, 2.5 DP/Hi-Flow CAT,
u-bend delete, 160 TS, ZZP Stage 1 72mm TB,
TB spacer, MSD 8.5mm wires, Autolite 103,
Goodyear Gatorback Serp. & SC Belt,
Nitto NT555R Drag Radials
1/4 ET: 13.210 sec. @ 104.490 mph
0 - 60 ft: 1.945 sec.

richtazz · 10-25-2005, 12:26 PM

IF you don't fix it ASAP, coolant can get pumped into the oil, which will wash the bearings and seize the engine. Dorman and Delphi make an aftermarket kit which is cheaper than the OEM, and fel-pro makes a lower intake set to complete the job. We sell the Delphi upper plenums for $119, which include the throttle body and upper plenum gaskets, and the lower intake set (fel-pro # MS95809-1) for $40, just for price reference.

rbsteve · 10-25-2005, 01:28 PM

so new plenum (upper intake manifold) and intake gasket ? just to be clear i order the right parts.

richtazz · 10-25-2005, 02:20 PM

that is correct,you need a new upper plenum and lower intake gasket kit.

rbsteve · 10-25-2005, 06:49 PM

i will look around for those parts tomorrow. one more question, i found a previous post by GTP Dad about changing the gasket and it says to drain the radiator before starting. Im just wondering if or how much liquid is left in the plenum or intake when i crack it open. Or does it not flow into there unless the engine is hot or operating ??

-Thanks alot (well not really, now i have to spend MORE time on my car :-) )

-Steve

BNaylor · 10-26-2005, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rbsteve

i will look around for those parts tomorrow. one more question, i found a previous post by GTP Dad about changing the gasket and it says to drain the radiator before starting. Im just wondering if or how much liquid is left in the plenum or intake when i crack it open. Or does it not flow into there unless the engine is hot or operating ??

-Thanks alot (well not really, now i have to spend MORE time on my car :-) )

-Steve

GTPDad's procedure is excellent. It is highly recommended to drain the radiator or drop the coolant level significantly to get as much coolant out of the upper radiator hose, lower radiator hose, water pump and intake manifold as possible. You'll be doing the work with the engine cold (I hope) so the thermostat will be closed. Good luck!

Thrasher CAI, DHP v1.0 PCM, SLP Headers,
3.25 SC pulley, CAIT GMAF, 2.5 DP/Hi-Flow CAT,
u-bend delete, 160 TS, ZZP Stage 1 72mm TB,
TB spacer, MSD 8.5mm wires, Autolite 103,
Goodyear Gatorback Serp. & SC Belt,
Nitto NT555R Drag Radials
1/4 ET: 13.210 sec. @ 104.490 mph
0 - 60 ft: 1.945 sec.

deitzberg · 11-09-2006, 11:39 AM

I have a 96 monte carlo z34 3.4 DOHC and it is visibily shooting coolant out of the seal at the bottom of the plenium. How hard is it to replace that gasket and how much is it.

BNaylor · 11-09-2006, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deitzberg

I have a 96 monte carlo z34 3.4 DOHC and it is visibily shooting coolant out of the seal at the bottom of the plenium. How hard is it to replace that gasket and how much is it.

Sorry deitzberg but this thread is too old. We prefer that threads over 3 months old are not resurrected. Feel free to start a new thread at Chevrolet Monte Carlo or you may make a new thread here if you feel your issue is not being resolved over there. Thank you for your cooperation.

Chevrolet Monte Carlo:
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...play.php?f=114

This thread has been closed.

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