Flushing out oil

78silverbird · #1 12-30-2006, 07:46 PM

Is there a way to flush the oil pan with out taking off the pan. I had coolant in the oil and need to get it all out but I have a feeling that dropping the pan is going to be more than I want to get into. I already have the engine down to the block, and I need to get it all back together by Mon.

Also would it be ok to put a half a can of seafoam in the oil to help clean it out some. I was told by one of the mechanics at my GM dealer that they just put oil in it and then change it after a couple of days of driving.

Finally did GM change the LIM gasket? I was told that they had a new one that was supposed to fix the LIM gasket problem. But GM said there wasn't.

Thanks for the help

xeroinfinity · #2 12-30-2006, 09:51 PM

You can just put in some generic oil and that seafoam,
run it for a one or two days, no hard driving for at least 2-3K miles after the new gaskets though.

Change the filter too.

They did revise the gaskets(2003), I dont know the part # right off though.
I used FelPro gaskets on my last LIM/Head gasket and they are great! Cheaper then the stealerships !!

tommy00gt1 · #3 12-31-2006, 01:08 PM

Hi peeps..... Xero, did you order the Felpro gaskets online, or at an auto parts store?
And is that (revised gasket) G.M. LIM gasket as good as the Felpro one?

Thanks !

Happy New Year, everyone....

xeroinfinity · #4 12-31-2006, 06:42 PM

The revised GM gaskets are good, with metal rings around where they blow out.

The fel pros I got were from Napa, but are considered performance gaskets IMO. But they were expensive!
With heads and LIM you need two different gaskets kits to get everything I needed.

tommy00gt1 · #5 12-31-2006, 07:16 PM

Thanks for that info.... I've been getting more & more of a coolant smell on the very first few miles driven in the morning, but I can't figure out where it's coming from, lol.
If it is my heater core or LIM, I hope it fails within the next eight months while I'm under my extended warranty.
I pay the first $100.00.... so I hope it fails soon. I paid enough for that warranty, I gotta get my $$$$ worth !!!

Take care buddy; stay happy and healthy in '07 !!

muff34 · #6 12-31-2006, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tommy00gt1

Thanks for that info.... I've been getting more & more of a coolant smell on the very first few miles driven in the morning, but I can't figure out where it's coming from, lol.
If it is my heater core or LIM, I hope it fails within the next eight months while I'm under my extended warranty.
I pay the first $100.00.... so I hope it fails soon. I paid enough for that warranty, I gotta get my $$$$ worth !!!

Take care buddy; stay happy and healthy in '07 !!

I`d take it in now and if they send you out the door without fixing anything ,at least you will have a record of it being in the shop. wait a little too long and have gaskets done ,who knows there may be slight damage deeper down that may not show up till after warranty is done . Just my

tommy00gt1 · #7 01-01-2007, 07:48 AM

Hi Muff.... Actually, I've been "dropping hints" to my service tech guy for the last four months. I told him that I'm starting to smell coolant; mostly during the very first engine warm up of the day. Plus I had my entire cooling system power flushed by them about two months ago...with new Dexcool installed. I had that done for two reasons.... so it shows proper maintenance on my part, plus I am now going to say ... "I think that power flush has contributed to, or sped up this lim leaking.."

Looks like I better do this soon... But. I have no visible signs of any leaks. I searched high & low and I cannot find where this damn coolant smell is coming from. My carpeting is bone dry..... I can't find any leaks on the engine.... I don't have any idea where the coolant smell is coming from.

Here's what I'd like to do ..... I need to find out exactly where one would notice visible signs of lim failure / leaks. I don't know where to spill some coolnat (on purpose) to make it seem the lim is shot.
Sneaky, probably. But I pais enough for the damn warranty, and I want to take advantage of it.
So far, I've had my front end swaybar bushings replaced (squeaking sounds), ant they replaced my Delco factory radio for me. All without hassles.. I am very pleased with this third-party warranty. Both me & the dealership make out, because the third-party warranty pays for it. Plus the service guy told me that the warranty company always repairs things without hassles. They are liberal in that regard.

So that is why I need to "make it appear the lim is shot". If anyone has a photo that shows where I can dribble coolant, I'd really appreciate it. If I could dribble coolant on the engine, I'd also "dampen my carpet around the heater core". I'd like to have the whole damn thing done at the same time...

Whew.. sorry 'bout this overly long reply here !!!!! Once I get typing, I don't know when to stop, lol.. Any tips / hints, I'd really appreciate them.
Thanks guys...

skibum1111 · #8 01-01-2007, 07:56 AM

When the lim fails and it leaks externally you will see a white flaky substance down the front of the engine block. When it fails internally you get coolant in your oil. Beware with being sneaky, some warranty companies want the old parts back to make sure people are not trying to get expensive work done when its not needed to avoid having to pay for it later. As for the heater core, you might be able to move the cover enough to get at one of the lines on the inside of the car and punch a small hole in it, but I didnt' tell you that

tommy00gt1 · #9 01-01-2007, 09:19 AM

Thank you Skibum; I hear 'ya !!! I'll cross my fingers and hope the service guy replaces / repairs it. I do have one thing in my favor in that the service guy at the Pontiac place where I bought the car is very customer friendly.
No troubles at all getting my radio replaced, or my car window regulator replaced; or those sawybar bushings that were squeaking.

I told my nephew (jokingly, of course..) that maybe I should take her down the Massachusetts Turnpike and redline it, lol.. Maybe I could speed up the lim ! Previous owner is in his late 70's (not kiddin ! ) and I am no Spring chicken neither (52) . My nephew says I drive "like an old lady"... Maybe I should beat on it for a bit, lol !!

xeroinfinity · #10 01-01-2007, 02:11 PM

Leaks can be tricky to find sometimes.
You can get some UV dye which glows with a blacklight.

I use it once in a while, but most leaks are internal w/3.4's.
Like Skibum said, in the coolant in the oil or in the exhaust, or it can leak oil into the coolant.
Which is how my GT was when I bought it.

Best not to put something like this off to long.

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