G'day ...coolant loss
96tsport
06-29-2008, 09:22 AM
Read this (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=902675) & have a similar scenario. My '98 Transport is in the early stages of intake gasket failure I'm sure (no heat, coolant odour but no leak to the ground)...but I've put 15,000 clicks on it since I bought it in this condition.
Bought my 96 ~ 1.5 years ago with ~ 220k & up to ~245k now. Have had to add coolant regularly from the start but everything works so far. Lasts quite a bit before I have to top up, ~ 4 wks+. Temp gauge usually stays at the bottom & when I lose a certain amount of coolant starts to go up & then back down, cycling type thing; doesn't need much to top up.
Mighta been using oil at the start but didn't need to add oil per 5k oil change (so didn't notice) but definitely have to now; guessing about a quart per 1k.. put in duralube & lucas. Haven't touched the motor up to now. CEL has come on & gone away in the last while.
Paid ~ 2k for the van ..inner & outer tie rod fix so far. Air & abs work. Just mentioning the inner tie rod cos read here the rack has to come out to change but don't think so with my 3.4 setup.
Other main thing (didn't notice at first ..but it was there) is a noticeable ticking sound on start. Was told it's piston slap & they all do that. Sounded like a lifter prob though that I heard on a friends engine that sounded the same.. Pretty sure it ticks now a bit when hot too..
Dunno the history of the engine prior to purchace.
Read up quite a bit in this forum so up to speed now on possibilities. Will advise as I look into it further. Guessing I have some minor leak that is burning off..or something at this point. Might find out more when I pull & swap out the spark plugs.
Edit - found this (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=899148) also.. My Trans sport 3800 1995 is loosing coolant. It has been a slightly leakage at the intake manifold gasket för the last years. (about 1 litre every 1000-2000 miles)
Maybe there are ..small miracles.. BY hte way, my '93 3.8 has taken some coolant for years, really a little, may be half as you said , ....no idea from where, never any trace, did not investigate.
Bought my 96 ~ 1.5 years ago with ~ 220k & up to ~245k now. Have had to add coolant regularly from the start but everything works so far. Lasts quite a bit before I have to top up, ~ 4 wks+. Temp gauge usually stays at the bottom & when I lose a certain amount of coolant starts to go up & then back down, cycling type thing; doesn't need much to top up.
Mighta been using oil at the start but didn't need to add oil per 5k oil change (so didn't notice) but definitely have to now; guessing about a quart per 1k.. put in duralube & lucas. Haven't touched the motor up to now. CEL has come on & gone away in the last while.
Paid ~ 2k for the van ..inner & outer tie rod fix so far. Air & abs work. Just mentioning the inner tie rod cos read here the rack has to come out to change but don't think so with my 3.4 setup.
Other main thing (didn't notice at first ..but it was there) is a noticeable ticking sound on start. Was told it's piston slap & they all do that. Sounded like a lifter prob though that I heard on a friends engine that sounded the same.. Pretty sure it ticks now a bit when hot too..
Dunno the history of the engine prior to purchace.
Read up quite a bit in this forum so up to speed now on possibilities. Will advise as I look into it further. Guessing I have some minor leak that is burning off..or something at this point. Might find out more when I pull & swap out the spark plugs.
Edit - found this (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=899148) also.. My Trans sport 3800 1995 is loosing coolant. It has been a slightly leakage at the intake manifold gasket för the last years. (about 1 litre every 1000-2000 miles)
Maybe there are ..small miracles.. BY hte way, my '93 3.8 has taken some coolant for years, really a little, may be half as you said , ....no idea from where, never any trace, did not investigate.
Jrs3800
06-29-2008, 11:57 AM
If you know your losing coolant then this issue needs to be fixed... The lower intake gaskets are an issue with these engines.. And if the leak is internal the Coolant may be getting into the oil and would be burned off slowly... Thia in time can cause you to burn more oil...
Also are you sure your not leaking any oil? These engines have a nasty habbit of leaking at the Oil pump drive shaft plug...
Also are you sure your not leaking any oil? These engines have a nasty habbit of leaking at the Oil pump drive shaft plug...
96tsport
06-29-2008, 12:05 PM
thx, not leaking oil. Gonna try some ..~ stuff to see if oil consumption gets better though dunno much about what's out there. Heard about special high mileage oils..freshens up ol' seals..
I think I had a big change in oil consumption (or at least I noticed it) when I switched to synthetic for 1 winter but didn't get better when I switched back to regular oil (may have improved though..).
Understand I need to sort it out, but just to be clear, had the coolant prob from the get go & so far have put on ~ 25clicks more. Good news, I suppose.. is so far, ~ slow leak & quite a few Ks since.
As far as the CEL light coming on & going away (off), from what I read, my understanding is that if it goes off, means everything's ok. Ex: can be plugs on the way out ~ somewhat fouled plugs that clear up.
I think I had a big change in oil consumption (or at least I noticed it) when I switched to synthetic for 1 winter but didn't get better when I switched back to regular oil (may have improved though..).
Understand I need to sort it out, but just to be clear, had the coolant prob from the get go & so far have put on ~ 25clicks more. Good news, I suppose.. is so far, ~ slow leak & quite a few Ks since.
As far as the CEL light coming on & going away (off), from what I read, my understanding is that if it goes off, means everything's ok. Ex: can be plugs on the way out ~ somewhat fouled plugs that clear up.
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