2000 Mali has problems--> please help!

Alright, I have a 2000 malibu with 70,000 miles on it.

Problem 1:
I have noticed that I have a coolent leak but can't find where it is coming from. There is a puddle on the drivers side of the engine, but doesn't seem to be coming from any of the hoses.

Problem 2:
Sometimes (usually) my car idles at 1 1/2 rpms, it seems to me that my cruise is stuck, but I am unsure.......any suggestions?

Problem 3:
My radiator fans are not working at all........I don't know when they quit, but they aren't working now.

Could all this be related? It all seemed to start at the same time. I know a moderate amount about cars (****Thanks Daddy****) but these problems are blowing my mind! Can anyone offer me any type of help whatsoever? Oh, and I am a girl, but I am definatly not afraid to get dirty......I change my husbands oil!! :)

Thanks in advance!
Peaches,
M

I do not know about 2 and 3 but 1 is probably a intake gasket. It is a very common problem and it is not cheap.If you are luckey it in not also leaking into you oil. After you drive for a while , stop and take off the oil cap and see if it is foamey and if there is fome on the underside of the cap. That is what mine did. I got mine done for about $600.

I dont know about problem 2 but 1 is definately the intake manifold gasket and 3 is perfectly normall on the malibu the radiator fan only turns on at 225F thats higher than on any other car I know but thats just how stupid GM is the car should not overheat, but just incase i turn on my fan manually inside the car. If your really worried you can change the thermostat

#1 sounds like the intake manifold gaskets, for sure, no idea about #3, and #2 sounds to me like the alternator is going. I replaced the alternator twice on my '98 and both times, the car idled much higher for a while before the alternator died.

You're headed to the service dept. sooner rather than later I hope.

#1 is not a job for do-it-yourselfers, by the way.

Thanks everyone for the help! I guess I am going to take it to my Dad first, and see if he can do anything for me, he's a car guy. Then I'm headed down the road to the shop........total bummer!!! Oh well, cars really suck sometimes!!

Peaches,
M

Hey web girl,
1 could be the intake gasket but it could also be a small hose that runs through the throttle body to warm up the incoming air. It's about ohh 5/8" hose and you have to remove the air intake tube to get at it

2 sounds like maybe the throttle body needs a good cleaning. So while you're in there checking that hose from #1 clean it out real good with carb cleaner. When the carbon builds up around the "butterfly" it won't let it close all the way, which will increase the idle slightly. If that doesn't work look for a vacuum leak. Most likely a pinhole in the hose going to the brake booster.

3 could be all sorts of stuff. check the easy stuff like are the fans plugged in? are the fuses blown? how about a relay? then you can start looking to the motor itself being blown but I've never seen them both go at the same time.

Good luck, -J

1. I agree with the Intake manifiod gasket (VERY common)

2. Could be a vaccum leak or the throttle botty needs a sever cleaning.

3. Thermostat my be dead or the fuse is blown

note: optimum engine coolant temp is 190 F not 225 F

number 2 is possibly an IAC valve. it adjusts at idle to keep the engine running at idle and part throttle. When they stick open, it causes a fast idle like you describe.

Actually, #1 seems to be an intake problem. I had several of these on my car. Took it to the shop and the next time, I did it myself. It can be a fairly time consuming job, but when I did mine, I noticed that the technician did not put a good sealant bead accross the engine block - so that is probably why the leak developed. I say get a Chilton manual and go for it - if you have the time and another ride to use during the downtime!

Intake manifold gasket. FYI: I got mine replaced by the dealer at no cost when the car was at 75,000 km (47,000 mi) and off warranty, and after I was a bit assertive. They replaced it under what they called "special warranty adjustment". They also wanted to replace the water pump (claiming there was a seal leaking) at my cost, but I declined. A local mechanic confirmed that the water pump was leaking, and I authorized them to replace it (at about 1/3 of dealer cost). Happy driving!