coolant loss

I am losing coolant from my 97 Lumina. It has about 120,000 miles on it. I don't see any on the driveway or signs of coolant on the radiator hoses or anywhere under the hood. When I had a water pump go out on vacation last year, the mechanic said the intake manifold was leaking. Could this be the problem.

I had the same symptoms and it turned out to my my lower intake. Does your oil look like a milk shake, or is your coolant resevoir nasty? It doesnt always happen this way but mine did.

No, my oil looks OK, a little dirty but not foamy and the coolant reservoir looks clean. I'm not sure what lower intake is, is that part of your intake manifold. I was checking the exhaust to see if it looked different but couldn't detect anything. Seems like it has to be burning it if it's not leaking out on the ground.

Check for leaks between the power steering pump and the base of the intake manifold. Intake manifold gasket on your car is probably the cause, one way or another.

If it turns out to be the LIM gasket(More than likely), be sure to use either the Dorman or FelPro upgrade set. The Dorman comes with new manifold bolts, valve cover gaskets, metal w/ rubber intake gaskets, and other items for the job.

Thanks for the replies. I will check into the gasket availability. I guess this is a common problem with this engine from some of the comments I have gotten.

Yes VERY common. Usually happens before 100,000 miles.

I bought gasket set for lower intake manifold. The lower manifold instructions say no gasket adhesive required but i'm not sure about the upper manifold. Does it need some kind of sealant.

Is this a problem with the 3100 and 3.1? I know there isn't too much of a difference between the two, but I figured I'd ask the question anyway.

Is this a problem with the 3100 and 3.1? I know there isn't too much of a difference between the two, but I figured I'd ask the question anyway.
Yes, it is.

I bought gasket set for lower intake manifold. The lower manifold instructions say no gasket adhesive required but i'm not sure about the upper manifold. Does it need some kind of sealant.

Don't put any sealant or adhesive on the upper manifold. It isn't necessary. It isn't necessary on any of the gaskets on this application. Just put the RTV at the engine end seals.

Is this a problem with the 3100 and 3.1? I know there isn't too much of a difference between the two, but I figured I'd ask the question anyway.

The problem is mostly on '95 (93?)-'03 3100 and 3400. The 3.1 has a different intake manifold, and I'm not sure if the lower gasket is different but I haven't heard of them having the problem. the 3100 with the newer style manifold came out around '93. In '95, they swirtched to Dex-cool which seemed to make the gasket problem more common.

I changed the lower gasket last Thursday and Friday, quite a job but it seems to have cured the problem. On another subject, does a 97 Lumina have a diagnostic port where you can hook up an analyzer. I have a Haynes manual but it doesn't mention it in there.

I changed the lower gasket last Thursday and Friday, quite a job but it seems to have cured the problem. On another subject, does a 97 Lumina have a diagnostic port where you can hook up an analyzer. I have a Haynes manual but it doesn't mention it in there.


Yes it's below the steering wheel under the dash.

Thanks, I was thinking of getting an analyzer but don't even know what they cost. Do you know if there's one out there that an amateur mechanic can afford.

There's the Innova Equus scanner. That's what I have. I think they are the best scanner for the price.There's several models. They run from between $90-150 if you look around. They have some Equus models that are more expensive, but you don't really get much more for the extra cost. if you're looking for a basic model the 3100, I think it is, will get you by, but for a few dollars more I went with the 3130, which if you look around online you can get it for under $150. What I'd really like to have is a GM Tech2 :cool:, but they can run in the couple thousand dollars :frown:. I'd really like to have a fuel injector tester kit and an injector cleaning kit too..

Thanks for the reply. Those sound pretty reasonable and I might go in with a friend of mine to get one.

Do these meters also monitor brake abs systems or just engine functions.

Do these meters also monitor brake abs systems or just engine functions.


That's one of the more useful things that the highest priced models have like I was saying. The 3130 and lower models don't read ABS, but I think it will read transmission codes. The 3150 and 3160 do read ABS, but they run about $50-$120 more than the 3130, let alone the cheaper 3100. I know you can upgrade the 3130 at least for $100 to read ABS codes. If you want to be able to read ABS, I think it'd be best to just get the 3150 or 3160. I wanted to get a 3150 or better a 3160 but then you are talking in the $200-$270 or so range. That's more than I wanted to spend on the scanner.

Thanks for the information, I probably won't spend that much either right now.

i have a 96' lumina,had the same problem,couldn't find any leaks outside some real small ones at the return bottle fittings,about 6 months later..i finally noticed wet marks on ground,and it was the lower intake manifold gaskets...i watched for the leak often and could not ever find it,one day after i drove the car and parked it...about an hour later the wet marks were on the ground..a friend did the job for about 300 including gaskets/thermostat...good luck and keep a bottle of water.

i have a 96' lumina,had the same problem,couldn't find any leaks outside some real small ones at the return bottle fittings,about 6 months later..i finally noticed wet marks on ground,and it was the lower intake manifold gaskets...i watched for the leak often and could not ever find it,one day after i drove the car and parked it...about an hour later the wet marks were on the ground..a friend did the job for about 300 including gaskets/thermostat...good luck and keep a bottle of water.
my message is to short?

99 lumina 3.1L, 198,000 mi., LIM replaced by dealer at 50,000 mi. I know the lower intake manifold (LIM) is common problem, but I wonder if a steady drip from behind the top area of water pump housing, left side, can be a cause of leak, or is it always the LIM. Can't see behind there to see if it is LIM or ?? Plan to replace LIM, but wondering if anyone has ever had water pump housing leaking between back of housing and engine block??.

if you are leaking at the waterpump, that means the internal seal is gone - replace water pump.... very easy job on the 3.1L.

the water pump is directly below the edge of the head so can easily confuse where the leak is.

hope this pic works.
http://www.alldatadiy.com/alldata/AFI~V15232986~C32327~R0~OB0~P3R0H~N/0/56775861/62803321/62803330/62803331/34853741/100411974/34853743/34855755/34855817/116207744/110501774/78383770

Locate the 45 degree line ( in this // direction) in the pic where the intake meets the head. See the top of the water pump pulley at bottom of pic? The 45 degree line is right above the water pump pulley.

A leak here could be confused with a water pump leak.

I think you can feel behind the waterpump with your fingers and see if you get coolant on your fingers... if so, then that's probably just a water pump leak.

I am having problems with my coolant as well, but my lumina is a 91 will the LIM gasket Dorman or FelPro upgrade set work with the 91?

Yes the upgrade is available for the '91 also.

Go to a Auto Zone or Advance store in your area if you have one, and they will run your diagnostic test for you for free..cost less that way :cool:

DropZone77