Intake gasket or not

[dfmote]

Ok just a little background info:

2002 Grand Am V6 3.4 63500 miles.

First time Ive ever noticed it using oil between oil changes. Uses 1 quart between oil changes. Aprox 1 week ago I was sitting in the KFC drive thru and noticed the car was running aprox 10 degrees hotter than normal. Next morning the low coolant light came on. I drove to the store and shut it off. Got back in and the light was off. (Im quite anal about my car and I notice everything). I knew it was time for my oil change and tire rotation (still orig tires on it) so I decided to have them look at the car to see why it was using oil and why my low coolant light had come on. I got a call saying the intake gasket was leaking in 2 places. I called GM Customer Care and they said for me to take it to a dealer and have them put it on the machine. I did and they said theres nothing wrong with my car. They even pressure tested it and things are fine.

Can someone plz tell me what the new antifreeze looks like because my antifreeze looks as if it has oil in it. Im use to the green watery antifreeze.

I really need to know if there is something wrong with my car or not.

Thanks in advance!!

Dawn

[GTP Dad]

The antifreeze in your car is red not green. Check the oil level frequently to see if it is going up or if the oil turns milky. If either happens then you probably have leaking gaskets. I also have a question or two. First, did the dealer do the pressure test with the engine hot or cold? Second did they test the oil for contamination?

It is quite possible that you have an internal leak causing the water to go into the oil. Second, there is also a possibility that you are sucking oil into an intake port along with coolant in small enough amounts not to be seen in the exhaust. I would have it checked again because I tend to believe the first mechanic not the dealer.

[dfmote]

The oil level hasnt been going up and it doesnt look milky but when I went to check the water/coolant level it looked as if it was sludge. The dealer did do the pressure test while cool. It peeved em off but they sat there with it in their bay with a giant fan on it to cool it off so they could do it. No they didnt test the oil for contamination.

If you have more questions ask away because I want to get to the bottom of this.

I dont know which way to go because I felt both places were trustworthy and now I dont know where to take it.

[GTP Dad]

The sludge you are seeing is due to the dexcool coolant that is in your car. That is normal unless there is a tremendous amount. If it worries you remove the tank and clean it out. This is not oil in the coolant! although it does look like it is.

Since your car is a 3.4 they do have problems with intake manifold gaskets going bad and leaking. Unfortunately, there is no easy solution to the issue especially when no one can find the leak. I would take the car back to the dealer for another test. This time make sure it is absolutely cold. Leave it overnight if you have to. The colder the engine the more likely they are to find the problem.

[BNaylor]

I agree with GTPDad and it sounds like you could have bad lower intake manifold gaskets. The problem is so common on the 3.4 that it is not funny. We had ours on our Alero GL2 3.4 changed out and it's a 2002 model.

If, in fact, there appears to be Dexcool sludge in the reservoir then the whole cooling system will need a flush. The coolant tank on a 3.4 is part of the pressurized system not just a holding tank so there should be no exposure to air. The coolant level sensor is also located on the coolant tank and the radiator cap which is set for 15 psi. Unless the coolant is leaking externally it is being consumed via the intake manifold.

The dealer should have a TSB on file for this problem but if it is out of warranty they'll probably charge. Cost runs about $500 - $700 at a GM dealer.

[crys36]

Originally Posted by bnaylor3400

I agree with GTPDad and it sounds like you could have bad lower intake manifold gaskets. The problem is so common on the 3.4 that it is not funny. We had ours on our Alero GL2 3.4 changed out and it's a 2002 model.

If, in fact, there appears to be Dexcool sludge in the reservoir then the whole cooling system will need a flush. The coolant tank on a 3.4 is part of the pressurized system not just a holding tank so there should be no exposure to air. The coolant level sensor is also located on the coolant tank and the radiator cap which is set for 15 psi. Unless the coolant is leaking externally it is being consumed via the intake manifold.

The dealer should have a TSB on file for this problem but if it is out of warranty they'll probably charge. Cost runs about $500 - $700 at a GM dealer.

I have a 2000 Grand Am And yes my car started to use some oil but mostly anti-freeze. The car uses Dex-Cool which looks like bad chocolate milk and will sludge up. GM had such a problem with Dex-cool early on. Its suppose to last 100k miles or 5 years. It should be changed every 3 at least with a possible flush since it has a tendency to goo uo. Now bad to my car. Low coolant was thecode that came up on the service engine scan which my mechanic thought would just be the sensor --and it was. But after a closer look the intake manifold had cracked right around where the sensor go's. The aluminum is so thin in this spot its sickening. I'm still taking the car back now for a week or so for varying service codes but it is getting better. My mechanic is a great guy but he wants me to blow up the car. Your problem is not uncommon.

[Chameleon-kat]

Sometimes the leak is external (initially anyway). You may be able to see it with visual inspection. I posted a couple pics on following link of one that was leaking, and one that was ok (it failed eventually also).
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...d.php?t=476571

[dfmote]

OK looks like I will be getting a third opinion. The way it looks to me .. the sludge look is normal. Just looks like some really crappy chocolate. It just freaked me out when I looked and it wasnt green. LOL call me old school I guess.