Head gasket fix

I think I have a bad head gasket. I have a 2002 GP SE w/ 52,000+ miles on it. Tonight, my low coolant light came on and when I got home there was almost no coolant left in the reservoir. I'm a bit befuddled as to why the engine isn't running really hot though. The temp guage reads normal.

Obviously, something is wrong. Do any of you have an idea on what is a reasonable price to pay to fix this kind of problem?

Thanks,

Joe

First of all you need to identify the problem not just throw money at it. Check your oil, you may have a leaking lower intake manifold gasket rather than a head gasket. This is especially true if you have a 3800 non-sc as they have had issues with these gaskets. The cost to repair this is about half of a head gasket replacement.

When you check the oil if it looks milky then you have leaking intake gaskets. It is entirely possible that the coolant was drawn into the radiator or you have a small leak elsewhere that has caused this problem. If it happened overnight then there may be a bigger issue. Once you check the oil post again and if you need further assistance we will try to help.

Welcome to AF!

The 3100 is even worse for intake gaskets, the 3800 is actually an upper plenum failure that leads to coolant loss. Look at the outermost intake bolt on the back of the engine, drivers side. IF you see any seepage of the orange coolant there, the intake gasket is your problem. Fel-Pro offers a new kit for the 3100 that includes everything you need to do the job right. The part number is MS98003T. If you have the 3800, you'll need a new plastic upper plenum, which are available aftermarket for around $120-$150. If you run a compression test, and no cylinders are low, then the intake is definitely your problem.

If there is no anti-freeze in the reserve, it doesnt mean you will overheat. As long as there is fluid in the radiator. A low reserve can indicate a problem..

The 3100 is even worse for intake gaskets, the 3800 is actually an upper plenum failure that leads to coolant loss. Look at the outermost intake bolt on the back of the engine, drivers side. IF you see any seepage of the orange coolant there, the intake gasket is your problem. Fel-Pro offers a new kit for the 3100 that includes everything you need to do the job right. The part number is MS98003T. If you have the 3800, you'll need a new plastic upper plenum, which are available aftermarket for around $120-$150. If you run a compression test, and no cylinders are low, then the intake is definitely your problem.

Thanks guys. I have the 3100 engine. I'll look into all your suggestions. Thanks for your prompt replies.

Joe

Hey Guys. I have a 02 GTP with the original engine coolant. I have heard that the GM 100000 mile engine coolant is corrosive, and can damage the various gaskets in the engine…. IS there any truth to this, and if it is, is my 2002 affected?

I’m getting tired of wondering about it, and wanting to flush the system, and put some normal stuff back in. (Before I have a gasket problem.)

I can say this with certainty, my 95 Prix SE had the exact same problem as jamc204, and the mechanic said that it was the coolant.

Thanks for your help in advance…..

Niq

Sorry about the previous post. I just thought of searching for this subject and found a plethora of coolant info… I bet my answer is in one of those……

Hey Guys. I have a 02 GTP with the original engine coolant. I have heard that the GM 100000 mile engine coolant is corrosive, and can damage the various gaskets in the engine…. IS there any truth to this, and if it is, is my 2002 affected?

I’m getting tired of wondering about it, and wanting to flush the system, and put some normal stuff back in. (Before I have a gasket problem.)

I can say this with certainty, my 95 Prix SE had the exact same problem as jamc204, and the mechanic said that it was the coolant.

Thanks for your help in advance…..

Niq

Niq All coolant is corrosive if not properly maintained, the orange stuff is just supposed to last longer before it gets corrosive. The intake gasket issue is due to bad part, not coolant, and there is a corrected replacement availble. On your 95, I don't think you had the orange stuff did you? Also I don't think the bad intake gaskets were until 96 or 97

Jamc204 If it is intake gasket problem you may be able to see evidence of external leak, check my post with pics of good and bad gasket area in this link:
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=476571

The bad intake gaskets started in 95, when GM went to the roller rocker arm engine with the intake gasket that had the push rod guides as part it. The early 95's, that still had the ball and stud rockers didn't have the problem. Also, just to clerify, GM started using the orange coolant in 94 in the trucks, and 95 in many cars. They switched to it exclusively in 96.

Cool, Thanks guys for your help.....

Kat, I do believe I had the orange stuff. In my 95, I went from a normal running car... too something is seriouly wrong in less than a minute. When the coolent light came on, I knew I was toast. All I had to do was pull the dip stick out, to confirm. Oil and coolent from the crank case makes white stuff. $600 plus repair, at the dealership.

Cool, Thanks guys for your help.....

Kat, I do believe I had the orange stuff. In my 95, I went from a normal running car... too something is seriouly wrong in less than a minute. When the coolent light came on, I knew I was toast. All I had to do was pull the dip stick out, to confirm. Oil and coolent from the crank case makes white stuff. $600 plus repair, at the dealership.
Be careful here many times that oil coolant intermix will lead to bearing failures down the road. The engine/crankcase should be flushed of that mix very thoroughly and 2 oil changes maybe after a couple of hundred miles, and it is still a risk once it has gone that far.

My 97 GP 3.1L had the intake manifold gaskets replaced in 99 under warranty. I again replaced them a couple months ago.

I got my gaskets from NAPA and they were Victor Reinz gaskets. I noticed they improved the gasket design by press fitting two steel cylinders the thickness of the plastic gasket on the outer edges where the coolant passages are located.

The problem is apparently the low torque requirement will cause the bolts to come loose and then a leak occurs. Then, to fix the leak the person will tighten up the bolts and usually ends up overtightening and cracking the outer edge of the gasket and coolant seeps out the crack.

When I replaced my gaskets I put ample blue loctite on the threads of the bolts and made sure to torque the upper bolts first and then the outer four last.

ive got the same problem in my 02 3.8gt. i took off the engine cover and there looks to be a puddle of fluid in the back left corner on top the engine, but the puddle is brown. About a month ago i checked my antifreeze and it was fine and when i checked it today it was brown and the resivoir has somewhat of a mud caked all the way to the top of the resivoir. I have 73,500 miles on it. Approx cost to repair???

seen a lot of posts about intake gasket failures. are there any warning signs of impending failure?

i have a 96 3.1 with 186,000. would changing the gasket be good preventive maintenanc? i looked up the r&r procedure and it looks like a good 4 to 5 hour job.

O.K. went to the local quike lube that actualy lets me in the shop and under the vehicle for a short inspection.

Without prompting the grease monkey assigned to my car went right for an inspection of the intake manifold gasket and found anti-freeze leakage around the rear of the intake manifold. Minor seepage of coolant so far, not realy noticable without a flashlight. How long do I have before a catastrophic failure? Could be minutes according to them.

I don't think it will fail in the next few minutes but it would be a good thing if you didn't take too long to get it repaired. It may leave you sitting or it could cost you a considerable amount of money to repair.

Keep a very close eye, as it gets worse you'll start getting pudding-like deposits on your oil cap and PCV valve. Watch for milky or cloudiness in the oil, that means it's completely failed and you need to fix it NOW!