collant in the intake

[ro25]

couple of days ago i was driving on the highway and when i exited, the check engine light came on and the engine began to run eratically i pulled over and the engine stalled, i tried to restart but it wouldnt even turn over. i figured i had blowed my engine but it never got hot, oil wasnt even that hot. But i had no more coolant in the vehicle. I had it towed home. And i began taking the engine apart. i took off the two manifolds and discovered coolant in there, and i noticed a crack in the lower gasket. I drained the oil and there are traces of water but not that much. the water in the intake is pretty clean.. well at least that explains why i had no heat all week.

has anyone had any similar problem? and replacing these gaskets, is that enough? and where exactly is the head gasket.

Thanks Ro

[markwb]

Just out of curiosity, what year, trim level, and miles on your Bonneville? Did the engine hydro-lock? It appears so from your post.

[ro25]

i have a 1998 se with 200000 km thats 130000 miles i guess... and yes the engine did hydro lock. i replaced the gaskets, and sealed a minor hole i found in the passage for the water to the throttle body in the plenum. so today i put everything back together and managed to get it started WOW.. no check engine light. hopefully the problem is solved. But i still have no Heat in the car, the temperature on the display flashes and i seeing some steam from the radiator. On top of all that i smell the nausiating smell of coolant in the car.. but it seems to be running well...

what scares me is that when the engine went into hydro lock it was after a long drive on the highway.. now im scared to go on the highway.. no trust yet..

my question is this.. have I done all the right things to fix the problem?
the fact that i have no heat is that related? and is there a way to reset the climate control?

any suggestions about anything that i have experience would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[dannyski]

I have a '95 with 3.8L series II. Has a plastic (nylon 6,6) air plenum. Hot EGR gas is vented into the plenum, so there is a coolant passage around the EGR inlet. Heat plus coolant "erodes" the plastic and the plenum takes on coolant. Remove the throttle body snorkel and watch it pour out. Must replace entire plenum (about $350). Use the GM gaskets. Better than aftermarket ones. Clean the injectors while they are off. Hope you can do this before you toast the engine.

[markwb]

ro25, You might want to change your oil also. In the event that coolant found its way into crankcase, a fresh oil change would help.

[ro25]

Thanks for the great advice guys!! i removed the plenum and found the corroded area and managed to repair it with a copper sleeve, sealant glue... changed the oil a few times... engine runs great... but still NO HEAT i dont understand... i thought it was because the coolant wasnt getting into the heater core... now im not loosing any coolant... the heating lines are hot so water is getting in.... but cold air blowing.. any idea?????

thanks ro

[Doomanmxz99]

If both lines to the heater core are the same temp try replacing the heater core. Where was the corroded area??? I have a leak at the air horn to the plastic intake.

[ro25]

the leak was near the same place. i placed a sleeve over top of the "air horn" if thats what its called. and glued it in place, its very tight now.. no way it will ever leak.. im just surprised GM does recall this fault

the temp flashes on my climate control.... but the heat thing happened all around the same time as this.. i refuse to think it was a coincidence

[BonneMeMn]

You'll want to get a new replacement Upper intake plenum soon. Copper fix will be a fix, but it wont last terribly long. Look for a new Dorman unit, or the same thing sold by GM.

[Flatrater]

It is a coincidence. If your display is flashing it means the HVAC system has a stored code which most likely is the cause of your no heat problem.

[ro25]

if the problem is fixed does the heat stop flashing or does it have to be reset somehow?