1999 Alero Engine Problems

[MafiaPrincess]

I purchased a 1999 Alero in March 2004 from a mechanic that purchased the (reposssed) vehicle at an auction...it had 75K miles on it....I kept complaining that I smelled antifreeze...then I had to add coolant but never saw a leak under the vehicle...the temp gauge would constantly go pass the halfway mark but it never overheated I would pull over before it got to that point...I constantly complained..and he ahd the car in his possession for 6 weeks in august/september after I was hit from behind and sideswiped on both sides..but still said he couldnt find a leak...In December it ot worse as I was driving it to the shop it died and had to be towed to the shop. He tells me about 7-10 days later its the engine after he replaced the starter and the flywheel, which btw I had no problems with before. Anyway after all this I hear that all 1999 6 Cylinder Aleros have this problem between 80K-100K miles because of the way the coolant system is set up...I was wondering if anyone has the same problems or issues?? The vehicle is still at the mechanic I am unsure of what I should do...Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated...

[jr6078]

I bought a 99 Alero with the V6 in October 2004 with 85,000 miles on it and haven't had any of the problems you're describing. Unfortunately, the 3.4 liter V6 engines that GM put into a number of different vehicles in 99 and some of the following years has been known to have a lower intake manifold gasket defect that could cause the problem you're having. It doesn't happen to all of them, but the possibility is there for all of them. I don't know why you would be smelling anti-freeze. That's one part of your problem that doesn't fit. The starter and flywheel job doesn't sound right either. I don't know how well you know this mechanic, and no offense to him, but I would consider taking the car to someone else. Any mechanic who has a car for 6 weeks and can't find the problem either isn't looking or isn't much of a mechanic.

[Kage25]

i had a simular problem with my grand am I would try changing the plastic radiator cap they are known for slowly boiling out over time as the seals go bad with no noticable leaks

[jamcllw]

Its the lower intake manifold gasket and if your mechanic couldn't figure it out I think its time to find a new mechanic. Especially after he changed the starter and the flywheel for no reason. Odds are that if your car died and it was leaking antifreeze bad you got water in your cyinders and it hydrolocked. Hopefully you won't have to get a new engine.

[shermo_6]

Had a similar problem w/ a chevy z24. For years always smelled a faint antifreze smell. It was getting into my engine. Mechanic noticed on my oxygen sensor a greenish tarnish he said was from the leak. He mentioned he had same issue w/ a lumina. Car was several years old, he suggested selling itbecause it could be a potentially very expensive repair! Don;t mean to scare you, but perhaps you can check your oxygen sensor for the ame greenish tarnish to confirm it's burning in your engine.

[vamc]

Originally Posted by shermo_6

Had a similar problem w/ a chevy z24. For years always smelled a faint antifreze smell. It was getting into my engine. Mechanic noticed on my oxygen sensor a greenish tarnish he said was from the leak. He mentioned he had same issue w/ a lumina. Car was several years old, he suggested selling itbecause it could be a potentially very expensive repair! Don;t mean to scare you, but perhaps you can check your oxygen sensor for the ame greenish tarnish to confirm it's burning in your engine.

It's the gaskets. It's a nasty Gm problem. There should be 3 to deal with. if you see antifreze on the side of your engine, its the seals. If you decide not to replace them at all, the antifreze will mix with the oil, and your engine is junk now. To replace the gaskets by a dealer, it will caust anywhere from $300-400 bucks. but very much worth it.

[LeBuick]

Originally Posted by vamc

It's the gaskets. It's a nasty Gm problem. There should be 3 to deal with. if you see antifreze on the side of your engine, its the seals. If you decide not to replace them at all, the antifreze will mix with the oil, and your engine is junk now. To replace the gaskets by a dealer, it will caust anywhere from $300-400 bucks. but very much worth it.

I paid $900 at the dealer for my 1999 Alero 3.4 but that baby hauls some butt now...

When you had to add the coolant your mechanic friend should have knew exactly what the problem was. This problem with the 3.4 is not a secret. You can google the words 3.4 Dexcool and see how wide spread it is because the motor is used in so many GM vehicles.

[vamc]

He did know. thats why he replased it.? durrr