New member, 1998 Lumina LTZ questions RPOs

[tdellaringa]

Hi,

New to the forum. I just bought a 98 LTZ yesterday after totalling my 95 Pontiac Bonneville SSEi. I like the car very much, I had tried to buy one when I bought my Bonneville but couldn't find one, they don't go up for sale much.

Anyway, I searched the Internet high and low for a lumina web site or a LTZ enthusiast site to no avail. If anyone knows of one that would be great.

Secondly, I'm wondering where I can look up my RPO codes - anyone?

Lastly, anything in particular I should watch for on this car? It has 85k miles on it and runs very nice. The brakes are a bit spongy, I think it needs pads.

My first new car ever was a 95 Lumina so it's kind of fun to have another one.

Cheers!

Tom

[hoosier1]

I have a 1999 Lumina LTZ and if I can find the original RPO list, I will scan it and send it to you. My LTZ is fully loaded except for the On Star system. I think the 98 and 99 are the same cars except for the wheels. The 98 LTZ uses the Monte Carlo wheels and are slightly different than mine.
The 1998 3.8 engine has a poorly designed EGR tube in the upper intake manifold which fails after a few thousand miles and allows engine coolant to seep into the intake runners. If the leak is heavy,coolant will actually cause a hydraulic liquid lock and may damage the engine.
You can verify this problem on the internet and other forums. The 1999 3.8 upper intake was redesigned to solve this problem.
The fix for this problem is expensive if allowed to run its course. The manifold must be replaced (if warped) along with the upper (plastic) manifold. The EGR tube is part of the upper intake. This tube is the culprit as it loses its seal after many heat/cool cycles and allows the pressurized coolant to seep thru the breach into the engine.
This is a simple job if you are handy and have a little engine experience.
My 1999 LTZ just turned 101,000 and with no problems at all.
If you are losing coolant of any amount with no evidence of an external leak on the floor this is your first clue to a intake EGR tube failure and subsequent engine damage.
Please LMK if you are interested in a copy of my RPO.
Bob

[tdellaringa]

I'd love a copy of that Bob. (not sure what LMK means - thats a new one on me!) Are there any articles you can point me to on the intake? I'm kind of handy but I'm not sure what your mean by this intake.

Thanks!

Tom