'95 3.1 V6 overheating,leaking

[asianoel78]

Ok, so I have a 95 Grand AM with 118K miles with the 3.1 V6. This may be a rehash, but still. It overheats in the winter, not the summer. I was losing coolant somewhere in the engine and was told by three different mechanics that it was the intake manifold gasket. I just had that, along with all other gaskets (except the head) replaced last week, and new thermostat. Now I'm losing coolant onto the ground from the reservoir it seems and the engine is still overheating badly, cold air blowing through vents and check gauges light coming on. Seems to be better if I let the car warm up a little first, but not by much (meaning the engine might not get as hot and it will cool down faster) It gets really hot and then eventually a sweet smell comes throught the vents (coolant?) and then it will cool itself off and warm air comes out the vents again. It does this over and over again as I drive it. I am now told it's probably the head, but I don't smell exhaust. I don't want nor can I afford to get rid of the car. Could it be something besides the head gasket and/or how much should that cost? Asia

[pro standard]

I've had this same problem with my motor last year. I had replaced all the gaskets and still had a problem with it overheating. What I had found was the head gaskets were in bad shape and one of my heads had a hairline crack in it. It would be ok when it was cold, but as soon as it started to warm up the crack would open up and force air into the cooling system. When there is an airlock in the cooling system the temperature wil fluctuate. In other words you more than likely have a cracked head or a bad head gasket.

[Chameleon-kat]

The smell of coolant inside would make me think of heater core leak. could also create air in the system and warm/cold air coming through vents

[asianoel78]

Would a heater core leak cause overheating? And also...to the guy who had the problem last year, did you ever get it fixed and is it still fixed?

[Flatrater]

A heater core leak will allow the coolant to drain out of the system causing the temps to rise and overheat the car. BTW if the core is leaking it will fill up the heater case and drain outside right near the coolant jug out the evap drain hose.

Now I would get a good coolant pressure test done which would show where the coolant is leaking from or you coul;d have coolant dye placed in the coolant and then you could trace the source of the leak using a black light.

[pro standard]

Once I put a rebuilt head on and new gaskets, the problem was fixed. I never had any problem with it overheating again. Flatrater has a point to though. I would ckeck your heater core first, it would be alot cheaper if that was the problem.

[asianoel78]

Thanks guys...I think I'll do the pressure check first and then go from there. And I'll just keep posting until it's fixed! Thanks again!

[asianoel78]

Ok, the head gaskets basically fell apart when removed, but thankfully the heads themselves weren't cracked. So $1300 later everything seems to be a-ok which I am very thankful for in this bitterly cold weather. Also the sparkplugs were melting into motor so it's running much better!

[95_GrandAM_GT]

well my grand am had an overheating problem...but i figured out it was the sensor, or the insterment cluster, and i got them both replaced...and it sill reads hot but the only other think that i could think of would be the underlay from the radiator that puts the collant back...good luck