2002 Alero problems

[lyndy]

In the past two weeks we have had some -20F temps. Since this my car has completely rebelled. I took it in and had an oil change they added Lucas since my oil is burning quickly and has been notorious for being a quart low before the 3000/3 month mark. Also I noticed with the cold weather my car was clicking when I started it so I looked under the hood and found the coolant was almost empty. I filled it with Prestone 50/50 blend to the max when cold line. In the last week my car has not wanted to accelerate so I took it in and had them replace my fuel filter, they also ran a check& diagnostic to find that the car has a slight leak of coolant at the intake manifold, the mass air sensor is malfunctioning, and recommended that I get my sparks and wires changed. I'm really conserned about what is really going on with my car. Now when I drive my car it doesn't want to go over 30 mph until it has been driving for about 10 minutes, prior to that I have let it warm up for 15-20 minutes since it is so cold and it seems to help it get going. While driving it it seems confused as to what gear to shift to or be in. It does best driving at the same speed and not in stop and go. I check constantly for leaks on my garage floor, nothing. If anyone has any idea as to what is really the cause if it's the coolant leaking into the manifold causeing the disturbance or something else with the mass air sensor. Plus, how much should this cost to replace. Should I drive it? etc. HELP!!!

[BNaylor]

Welcome to AF.

It would be helpful to post your engine size.

[lyndy]

V6 3.0 - GL model. At the beginning I thought I had water in the system so I put ISO HEET in the fuel tank (before filter was replaced). I also have put in STP Gas treatment after the fuel filter was replaced on Saturday.

[xeroinfinity]

Sorry lyndy, but your v6 is a 3.4L.

I would say first off the cold partially has everything to do with your car running poor.
The LIM leak will cause problems with performance and can wear/damage internal parts if the coolant is leaking into the oil.

Do You have coolant in your oil ?
This would look like chocolatie milk, but you said you had the oil changed, they should have noticed this but doesnt mean they would

Those fuel cleaners are alright.
The best two I have found are Lucas oil injector/fuel system cleaner and Seafoam for you engine/fuel syst.

Even though you use those products, it probly wont run any better untill the intake leak is taken care of.

[lyndy]

Sorry about that, it is a 3400 SFI, the 3.0 was my last vehicle. How much will this cost me??? i checked the oil and it is a gold/amber color. nothing milky. I did have it changed last Saturday.

[BNaylor]

I agree the lower intake manifold gaskets should be changed out. GM introduced revised ones around July 2002 along with new torque specs for the bolts. Even though your Alero is a 2002 model it does not mean you have the improved gaskets. The local Olds dealer replaced ours free of charge under the warranty about one year after the GM TSB alert came out.

Regardless, the coolant is being consumed internally and you may not have oil in the cooling system or coolant contamination in the oil as symptoms. Or confirmed by visible signs of external leaks.

[xeroinfinity]

IT'll cost between $600-1200 depending on where you live and if a dealer or independant shop does the work.
Its an all day job!

[lyndy]

Thanks, I'm getting it fixed this weekend. Hopefully replacing this will fix the problem.