Coolant leak

[rdwr01]

1998 Lumnia LTZ has been losing small amount of coolant about 2 months, Now I am getting a lot of steam and dripping from tailpipes. Is this a sure sign of head gasket? Also the motor wants to seize after it is shut off and has to cool before starting.

[corning_d3]

It's not a sure sign, but a good sign. Just remember, steam is normal when cold. The best way to test it is with an Exhaust Gas Analyzer. Just stick the sensor in the radiator while is warm and running. If it senses exhaust, you gotta bad head gasket. Just a quick question..has the car ever been overheated before? Aluminum heads really hate heat and will warp/crack easily..

[wafrederick]

Does it have a 3.8 or 3.1 in it?If it is the 3.8 series II,upper intake.It is made out of plastic and cracks around the EGR valve port area.It takes in the water next and if you do not get it taken care of in time,car will not start.It fills the lower intake full of water.I have seen this so many times to the point all the spark plugs have to be removed,engine turned over to get the remaining water out of the cylinders and the plugs replaced.Suck out the water out of the lower intake with a wet/dry shop vac.

[rdwr01]

Originally Posted by wafrederick

Does it have a 3.8 or 3.1 in it?If it is the 3.8 series II,upper intake.It is made out of plastic and cracks around the EGR valve port area.It takes in the water next and if you do not get it taken care of in time,car will not start.It fills the lower intake full of water.I have seen this so many times to the point all the spark plugs have to be removed,engine turned over to get the remaining water out of the cylinders and the plugs replaced.Suck out the water out of the lower intake with a wet/dry shop vac.

Thanks, I think that is what it is. It is a 3.8 and a mechanic said it was probably the intake since it is plastic. I had never heard of that, but I have it in the shop and they are replacing it.

[fastlq1]

Do it ASAP. Coolant doesn't compress like air, and if you draw in too much coolant, you will have bent rods/broken pistons on your hands. I heard of a guy with a Quad-4 Grand Am with a cold air intake that was too low. He went through a deep mud puddle right after getting the engine rebuilt. Cost him a rod that bent and 2 new pistons.