96 olds 88 Replaced LIM and UIM...now wont start

[danielmason]

Ok so I have a 96 Oldsmobile 88 with the 3800 series II engine...had an issue arise where the car began blowing tons of white smoke out of the tail pipe and began rapidly overheating...

Of course I immediately began assuming head gaskets and getting quotes ranging anywhere from $1500 to $2500 depending on mechanic...considering I didnt pay that much for the car not likely going to happen so I started looking around and discovered a well-known problem with these engines. The Intake manifold.

Now after digging into the engine and getting the upper plethum off it was completely submerged in coolant which made it rather obvious. So we went and replaced the Upper and Lower Intake gaskets, cleaned out all the chambers. Since we were already this far we went ahead and replaced the head gaskets too. After we reassembled the engine (where is the easy button for this BTW) we went and changed the plugs and reconnected the battery. Started the car and it purred to life almost instantly. Of course there was still some white smoke which stopped after a few minutes and everything seemed good. Shut car off to gather tools, reattach engine cover. Went to start car to take for a test drive and nothing...no start, no turning over, nothing. Thought battery so we jumped it and got it to start turning but it just wouldnt fire. Next morning (this morning actually) it again will not start, it turns but erratically and rather slowly...

I am at a loss, the car started just fine before...mind you it would overheat rather rapidly and blow smoke everywhere but it started...am I missing a step somewhere? Thanks in advance for any assistance in this.

[maxwedge]

Pull the plugs recheck for coolant in the cylinders first, you changed the oil as a side note, no?

[danielmason]

Well, we ended up starting the next day...pulled the plugs, disconnected the fuel injectors and turned the engine. This cleaning out the spark wells, we then changed the oil (honestly did not do this as it looked clean...nice color, smell, and consistancy), hooked everything back up and car would not start...turned out battery got drained during all this time, so we jumped it got car started, whcih led again to lots of white smoke (let it burn whatever may still be in exhaust but watch the temperature...right?)...let car run for 20-30 minutes (went inside ate dinner and checking on car temp which stayed steady at 2-210 once the fans kicked on) came back outside and no smoke any longer...AWESOME!!!!

However....

Shut car off, returning all the tools and gear to neighbors and more or less cleaning up...happy as hell decide lets go roll to the gas station, fill it up and go to bed for work tomorrow.

You guessed it...car wont start... wont even turn over just a solid bang again...jump car...no difference...IM EVER SO LOST...

Thanks for reading what is basically a small story for you...writing this let me sort of get a kick out my plight...

TL;DR : Damn car still don't start

[Tech II]

Did you replace the upper plenum? That's what put all that coolant in the depressions of the lower intake....