Robdaparamedic

I found a great deal on a 2002 LeSbre and shortly after driving it, I started smelling the antifreeze when the car was parked. After couple days of reasearch, and joining this site, I decided it was the thing to do. (UIM/Plenum/EGR)
It took me about 3 hours and wasn't nearly as hard as I thought it was going to be. Although I found significant signs of the EGR tube having some junk built-up, I don't think this was the origin of my odor of antifreeze. Just under the thermostat is the Temp sensor. It is all discolored and I can see a burst of steam coming from it.
The lesson here is, start with the cheaper fixes and move on as you rule each out. This car has 110K and still has original plugs and wires. For less than $200 I will have this running great and hopefully, several years of enjoyment. opcorn:

GringoPete

Good luck with your new ride

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BNaylor

The EGR stovepipe and coolant leakage problem found on '95-'98 GM cars with the L36 SII 3800 engine is not that common on '99 and up models. The carbon and gunk build up is normal and a result mainly of the hot exhaust gases being recirculated back into the intake system when the EGR is commanded on as part of the emissions control system.

Glad to see you found your problem and for a change it was not the UIM plenum issue causing your problem.

Also, the original plugs and wires may last you longer but it is a good idea to replace them since technically they should be replaced at 100K miles. At least the spark plugs since the AC Delco double platinums are rated for 100K miles. The wires should as a minimum according to GM's scheduled maintenance be inspected but better to replace if you replace the spark plugs.

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'08 Pontiac Grand Prix GXP (Dark Slate Metallic) - LS4 5.3L V8
'08 Pontiac Grand Prix GXP (Liquid Silver Metallic) - LS4 5.3L V8
'02 Oldsmobile Alero GL2 - LA1 3400 V6
'99 Buick Regal LS - L36 Series II 3800 V6
'03 Honda CR250R MX - 2 Stroke 250cc
'97 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP - L67 Series II 3800 V6 Supercharged
Timeslip 08/12/06

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Robdaparamedic

Yes, I'll be doing the plugs and wires Saturday.Thanks for the advice although I wasn't going to run the car much longer with the old ones. My 2000 Ford windstar had the idiot light come on and it was because of old plugs/wires.
I was changing the studded snows on my Lumina and snapped a stud. The others were damaged from a lose wheel falling off earlier. Lucky I didn't get killed on that one. There were two already stripped, so I have to replace them. Fortunately I have a spare wheel bearing which has the hub on it. Never a dull moment being broke and driving cars with 200,000 miles on them .