Head gasket/intake manifold gasket blew?!?!?!?

[ajm786]

Unbelievable.

So I've been having issues with my '95 Olds Eighty Eight not starting. What it would do is startup and then cut off immediately.

We had it diagnosed, and, through many forums as well as some advice here, helped me pinpoint the problem. Well, so I thought.

Here's the chain of events, which occurred through the course of 1 week.

1. Car started, shut off immediately. (Monday)
2. Checked all fuses: fine, put fuel treatment in: no difference; checked fuel pump: fine. Problem still exists (Tuesday)
3. Car gets worse, now cuts off immediately upon starting. Check spark plugs, find one fouled up: replaced; checked spark plug wires: all fine; Problem still exists (Wednesday).
4. Car intermittent on Thursday.
5. Friday morning, took car to get diagnosed. Shop mechanic plugged in computer, reports MAF. Replaced MAF. Problem still exists. Found intake duct with a HUGE rip in it; replaced. Car runs fine. (Friday)
6. Car cuts out again while backing into driveway. Check all vacuum lines, find 2 (1 elbow, 1 line) cracked: repaired; throttle body cleaned (Saturday + Sunday)
7. Put everything back together, start car. (Sunday night/Monday morning).

This is where the problem happened. You guys know the "magic smoke" we refer to when a capacitor blows on a PSU or motherboard? I saw something similar happen in the engine bay. I saw a puff of smoke. The car starts and shuts off IMMEDIATELY, and when you start the car you can see antifreeze coolant pouring down below the intake plenum.

Crap.

Can you guys help and tell me what the heck is going on here? Sounds like a huge pressure problem with me finding all those rubber ducts/hoses/elbows cracked and now this. The head gasket or the intake manifold gasket is shot, I know. I just need some help in diagnosing which of the 2 they are and then fixing it.

Thanks for any help, suggestions, and/or condolences.

[maxwedge]

First issue is to pressure test the cooling system, plugs out also look for any traces of coolant on the plugs, a press test will reveal external leaks, start here, post back.

[ajm786]

Originally Posted by maxwedge

First issue is to pressure test the cooling system, plugs out also look for any traces of coolant on the plugs, a press test will reveal external leaks, start here, post back.

I have another question. I am now getting around to repairing this. I need to drain the coolant from the engine. According to the Haynes repair manual, there are supposed to be two engine coolant drain plugs, one at the front right around where the exhaust manifold is, and the same for the rear. The problem is that I cannot find these plugs.

Can anyone tell me where I can find these? Again, the engine in question is a 3800 Series II.

Thanks!

[Airjer_]

There is no need to pull any plugs out of the engine to repair the intake or upper plenum or head gasket.

[MagicRat]

Originally Posted by Airjer_

There is no need to pull any plugs out of the engine to repair the intake or upper plenum or head gasket.

yes, just use the drain valve at the bottom of the radiator. That will drain the engine coolant level to below the level of the heads.

The block drain plugs as you describe are only used to completely drain the block. You would only do this under unusual circumstances, such as preparing for long-term winter storage. Normally, though, they are never removed.

[ajm786]

Originally Posted by MagicRat

yes, just use the drain valve at the bottom of the radiator. That will drain the engine coolant level to below the level of the heads.

The block drain plugs as you describe are only used to completely drain the block. You would only do this under unusual circumstances, such as preparing for long-term winter storage. Normally, though, they are never removed.

Thanks for that! I just wanted to make absolutely sure, since I already did the drain valve at the bottom of the rad.