Engine Problem with my Impala

Hello Forum members, my 2003 Impala began to run hot recently and when I went to check my radiator I saw a lot of gunk inside of it. In my experience when this happens that is an indicator that oil is leaking into the radiator from the engine. I was informed that their is a class action suit against Chevrolet or General Motors regarding a problem with theses engines. I was told that this is a head gasket or valve problem. If anyone has any information as to how I can get this problem resolved or a resource that I can contact to get the problem solved I would appreciate it. You can email me directly at [email protected]. Thank you in advance for your help.

Respectfully,
Reginald C Smith

It's not a head gasket or valve problem, or at least, it's not likely.

It sounds like the same problem many have had, and it's NOT because of the dexcool.

These engine have a common intake gasket leak, where either coolant or oil can leak out of the motor. GM decided instead of properly fixing the probelm, to add stop-leak tablets into the coolant to help stop the leak.

Now it's either the stopleak tablets, or the fact that maybe they put too much in, that causes the gunk and build up, stopping flow of your coolant.

you can try to do the easiest/cheapest thing first, and flush the entire coolant system and re-fill it using dexcool. I would suggest tht if your not going to do this on your won, don't take it to the dealership as they may just put in more stopleak tablets again.

don't take it to the dealership as they may just put in more stopleak tablets again. you think the dealership will do that too ?:p

..also check your oil color, look for oil that looks like chocolate milk, if it does you may have a lower intake gasket going bad. OAT type coolants like DEXCOOL can get caustic after a while.

GM supposedly fixed the intake gasket problem for the 03 model year (maybe even for 02).

Actually it was late 03, early 04. even with the updated gasket designs, a leak can still happen.

and even if it's not the intake gasket leak, that's why I suggested flushing the coolant sytem, instead of a costly repair. Flushing the coolant system yourlself cost around $20 or less and some time, and is proper maintainence anyway.

Engine - Intake Manifold Oil/Coolant Leak
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 (http://www.alldatadiy.com/alldata/AFI~V7274697~C37398~R0~OD~N/0/89012112/94694975/94694986/94694990/34853741/100411974/34853743/34872059))

manifold bolts (2) to 25 N.m (18 lb ft).

I assume that this is the same for the 02 as my 03 . I think as far as the motor goes the 00 → 03 and beyond are the same ( 05?). On my 03 on the block there is a bolt ( not the freeze plug ) to drain the block of coolant. It is ( going from memeory) I think up and to the right of the oil filter. I kind of think there may be one on the back too. I have never drained or flushed my block. Going to do it B4 winter. The drain bolt should make it easier. The factory manual says to just keep filling with water and draining till clear water drains. I have heard ppl suggest using distilled water with your dexcoll on refill.

Technicaly, you do not have to replace the intake bolts. They come factory with pre-applied threadlock. As long as you clean the old threadlock off and apply new, the bolts can be reused. They aren't any kind of torque-to-yield or anything. Fel-Pro now makes an improved design intake set for the 3100 and 3400 engines that also includes the valve cover gaskets and the coolant transfer tube o-ring in one kit. The part numbers are as follows:

97-up 3.4 Vin-E and 99-up 3.1 Vin-J- MS98003T
96-up 3.1 Vin-M - MS98004T

i have the same problem with gunk in my radiator and it's in the overflow reservior also...My car is also leaking oil pretty bad and i have to add a quart like every 3 days....Does this sound like the same thing wrong and if not are there any ideas what this could be anyone?

i have the same problem with gunk in my radiator and it's in the overflow reservior also...My car is also leaking oil pretty bad and i have to add a quart like every 3 days....Does this sound like the same thing wrong and if not are there any ideas what this could be anyone?
I doubt this would be related to the intake more likely a crank seal..

Technicaly, you do not have to replace the intake bolts. They come factory with pre-applied threadlock. As long as you clean the old threadlock off and apply new, the bolts can be reused. They aren't any kind of torque-to-yield or anything. Fel-Pro now makes an improved design intake set for the 3100 and 3400 engines that also includes the valve cover gaskets and the coolant transfer tube o-ring in one kit. The part numbers are as follows:

97-up 3.4 Vin-E and 99-up 3.1 Vin-J- MS98003T
96-up 3.1 Vin-M - MS98004T
I beg to differ. part of the problem with some of the 3.4 engines was the bolts becoming loose. When GM put out the redesigned intake gasket, they also recommended using a new set of intake bolts with a special threadlocker put on the bolts to prevent that problem from re-occuring. I have seen a number of intake gasket replacements over the past 3 years and some of the ones where the old bolts were reused had sealing problems afterwards. And the ones where the new bolts were used had no further problems. For the small cost of the new bolts, I see it as an additional "insurance policy" to ensure that the job was done right the first time. GM recommends the bolts be replaced when replacing and using the new redesigned gaskets.

The only reason GM suggests changing the bolts is to get more money. The bolts are not torque to yield, so cleaning the threads and applying new threadlock does the same as replacing the bolts. The threadlock on the new bolts is not special, just pre-applied. I would bet the come-backs you mention were the fault of either not re-applying threadlocker, or they used the old style plastic gasket.