Coolant level is lower

[lovinglife]

My venture van is made in 2002. After adding the dex-cool one month, it is lower than the full level. I can not find the leak.
The other thing is that the engine oil level light is on after I start the on. After 2 minutes, it is off.

Who can tell me the problems.

Thank you very much.

[cdru]

Originally Posted by lovinglife

My venture van is made in 2002. After adding the dex-cool one month, it is lower than the full level. I can not find the leak.
The other thing is that the engine oil level light is on after I start the on. After 2 minutes, it is off.

The oil light or the coolant light? If the oil light ever comes on pull over immediately. It should never come on unless the sensor is bad or the oil level is critically low.

To the coolant loss, is it ending up in your oil? Open your oil cap and check the bottom. If you see any whiteish or yellowish goop, often described as mayonaise like in consistancy, you have an internal coolant leak. The PVC cap may also have signs of this goop as well.

A pressure check of the coolant system may also be indicitive of a leak, but it may only leak with a cold or hot engine so it won't always rule it out. A much better and absolutely definitive way to check for coolant in the oil is to have a sample sent in. I recommend Black Stone Labratories. $20 and a few days for shipping will tell you exactly what is in your oil, as well as give you a general health of how things are running.

The intake manifold on these vans are notorious for leaking. Get it checked out soon as possible as coolant makes a horrible engine lubricant and premature engine wear will occure if left unchecked.

Other possibilities if no coolant is found in the oil is just a leak somewhere although a puddle is usually found. A head gasket leaking into the cumbustion chamber (or onto an exhaust manifold) may not show any puddles as it could burn off before it is noticed. Stick your nose under the hood to see if you smell a sweet smell indicitive of coolant burning off. Your exhaust may also have a white cloud or have a sweet smell.

[lovinglife]

Thanks. It is just the low engine oil light is on when the vehicle is started on (about 2 minutes or driving a short distance) and turned off (very short time, just a flash).

I do not smell sweet until now. I will be carefull next.

[cdru]

Originally Posted by lovinglife

Thanks. It is just the low engine oil light is on when the vehicle is started on (about 2 minutes or driving a short distance) and turned off (very short time, just a flash).

I'm presuming that you aren't just talking about period of time when you first turn on the ignition where all the indicator lights turn on to check for functionality, right? The oil sensor light only turns on when engine oil is low. When your first start the car up, the oil in the oilpan is at it's fullest, so it shouldn't come on then. If any time, it would be off then and turn on when oil started getting pumped throughout the system and hadn't yet started to drip back down yet.

A faulty sensor is possible due to the odd behavior. It's also possible that it is sensing that the oil is too full. When the engine is cold, what does the dipstick read? If it's reading full or very full and it's been a while since your last oil change, I would be really suspicious of a coolant leak.

With your coolant leaking problem, I would definitely look into both problems promptly. Catch the problem early before it becomes costly.

[lovinglife]

dipstick reading is over full. The reason is that over full oil. Is it right ?

[cdru]

Originally Posted by lovinglife

dipstick reading is over full. The reason is that over full oil. Is it right ?

I'd have to look up what the sesor reads. I thought it was a low oil indicator, but it may also read overfilled. With it being overfilled, I'd say you do have the manifold gasket leak assuming you didn't overfill it to begin with.

If the oil level gets too high, the crankshaft actually can start churning the oil, creating air bubbles in it. This oily froth doesn't work as well for lubricating things as well as it causes problems with components that work on hytraulic pressure, like hydraulic lifters.

[lovinglife]

I think what you analysis is right.IF THE COOLANT LEAKING FORM MANIFOLD, Will GM COVER THE GASKET CHANGE FEE? or If the coolant is leaked into the engine oil, Is it covered by GM?

Venture is 2002(made in 2002.3) 86000KM

[shogunl]

lovinglife !!

From what I can tell GM and dealer generally play dumb when you ask for intake manifold gasket issue.

I would either go to website in pontiac montana forum and get a copy of the TSB or you can get a copy inside lemon-aid book then approach dealer.
I hear some times they offer to cover 50%. It would normally cost around 1200 CDN at the dealer to repair the manifold gasket. Good Luck !!

[cdru]

It's hit an miss as to if they pay. It's a known problem and just about any mechanic knows about it issue. Being a 2002, how many miles/km do you have on it? Is it still covered under a warranty? Emperical evidence says that the average milage(/kilometerage?) when the gasket starts to show signs of leaking is usually 75,000mi/120,000km, or at least that's where they seem to be. Of course it can be shorter or longer. I went probably 135,000 miles before mine started leaking last fall.

If you are out of warranty, you are probably going to be out of luck. A TSB doesn't mean that there is a recall or even technically admit that there is a wide spread problem. All it is is just a "manual revision" that gets into a little more detail about a problem some people have reported that needs clarified as to a procedure or diagnostic.

[lovinglife]

MY friend confirm that the coolant is leaked into the engine oil. Just as what cdru wrote yesterday.

[lovinglife]

When I bought the Vehicle in Feb 14 this year. I fonund that engine oil light is on when I started the vehicle. I think it is normal. Until now I know that it is because the coolant is leaked into it. I bought it from dealer. The warranty is one month. It is out of date now. But last month I let them fill some coolane. But there is not record. I do not know that if the dealer can warranty this. Now I see that before I bought this vehicle, the coolane wsa leaked.

[lovinglife]

hi, shogunl
I also live in London. it is very luck that you discuss my vehicle here. I think you also live in Platt's lane. I also live there.

[shogunl]

Platts lane ah !!
I live behind the UH so we are close alright. Pretty scary!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If you would like a copy of the TSB GM sent out I can get you a copy.BTW i got a 99 and 02. My neighbours thinks I get fleet discount from GM.

[cdru]

The TSB is available here.

[lovinglife]

Good news. My vehicle has been reparied and under warranty. Thank you every body in this forum. I feeel this forum is very good for me.

Thank shogunl and cdrc. I learn many many things from Your sugestions.