taking anti freeze

[cf1]

i have a 97 lumina, 219,000 .. car runs like atop. the last 2 months i have had to add anti freeze to the resivor.. nothing in the oil car runs cool, dont over heat. heater works fine.. no anti freeze on garage floor. any help , its taken 1 gal last 2 months..

[richtazz]

Pull the spark plugs and look for coolant contamination (orangish tint, maple syrup like smell). If none, then you have an intake leak. They don't always leak into the oil. They can leak externally, but only under pressure, and don't always leak enough to leave marks on the floor. The coolant is blown off while driving and never reaches the ground. Also check the water pump and the coolant pipes to the heater core for signs of leakage.

[cf1]

Originally Posted by richtazz

Pull the spark plugs and look for coolant contamination (orangish tint, maple syrup like smell). If none, then you have an intake leak. They don't always leak into the oil. They can leak externally, but only under pressure, and don't always leak enough to leave marks on the floor. The coolant is blown off while driving and never reaches the ground. Also check the water pump and the coolant pipes to the heater core for signs of leakage.

i just put 200 miles on the car today, just checked the resivor ans it may take lass than a pint.. took the fill cap off and some whitish oil in there. is there anything like barrs leak or silver solder i could put in it? ineed anothe year out of it. thanks..

[richtazz]

If it's the intake gasket (and the whiteish oil indicates it is) , no miracle in a can will help. The problem stems from a low torque value on the manifold bolts that allow the intake to move over time, cracking the inferior OEM plastic gasket at the coolant transfer passage. The only fix is to replace the intake gaskets. Shops charge between $400-$600 to do the job. If you haven't overheated it, don't let them try to tell you it's head gaskets as many shops do, as they make more money doing a head gasket job ($800-$1100). If you have decent mechanical ability, you can do the job yourself for about $80 in parts in a weekend. Buy a good repair manual for guidance and torque values.

[cf1]

richtazz.. iv never worked on these front wheel drives, i just put a cam and lifters in a chevy silverado.. do i have to pull the engine? any tips what all i should replace.. thanks just looked again from the drivers side and with the car runing i can see the anti freeze leaking...still no anti freeze in oil..

[jamesmetairie]

cf1 search this forum for "intake manifold" info. there,s alot of discussion about how to do the job correctly. for example there,s a couple of "o" rings that really should be replaced when doing the gasket job. it was agreed that "fel-pro" metal gasket set is the best for my 1998 lumina 3.1 litre. i spoke to fel-pro and also to jasper engines . they both said to use the stock torque spec,s. again = search this forum for a world of info.

[jamesmetairie]

Originally Posted by jamesmetairie

cf1 search this forum for "intake manifold" info. there,s alot of discussion about how to do the job correctly. for example there,s a couple of "o" rings that really should be replaced when doing the gasket job. it was agreed that "fel-pro" metal gasket set is the best for my 1998 lumina 3.1 litre. i spoke to fel-pro and also to jasper engines . they both said to use the stock torque spec,s. again = search this forum for a world of info.

i bought the felpro gasket "set" at o,reillys.

[cf1]

Originally Posted by jamesmetairie

i bought the felpro gasket "set" at o,reillys.

thanks for the info.. here we have auto zone the gasket kit is $85.00 i dont know if its felpro.. does the o ring come with the kit? iv put many intake and head gaskets on but never messed with fule injectors or such.. i think i can do the job.. i cant tear it down for a few weeks because i got to much going on.. have to drive the old pick up for awhile.. thanks again

[richtazz]

The Fel-Pro set is MS98004T for the 96-up Vin-M 3100. IT would also fit a 95 Vin-M with roller rocker arms. The o-ring for the oil pump drive is Fel-Pro 70800 (I also put a paper gasket in there part #70194 for added insurance). you can do the job without disturbing the injector rail, just unplug the harnesses and remove it with the lower intake.

[cf1]

Originally Posted by richtazz

The Fel-Pro set is MS98004T for the 96-up Vin-M 3100. IT would also fit a 95 Vin-M with roller rocker arms. The o-ring for the oil pump drive is Fel-Pro 70800 (I also put a paper gasket in there part #70194 for added insurance). you can do the job without disturbing the injector rail, just unplug the harnesses and remove it with the lower intake.

thanks.. richtazz.. im gona rip it down tonight, if i was gona keep it i would put head gaskets on it too. bought the car new and only put power steering pump and alternator, on it.. nothing major.. its been a good ride..

[cf1]

Originally Posted by cf1

thanks.. richtazz.. im gona rip it down tonight, if i was gona keep it i would put head gaskets on it too. bought the car new and only put power steering pump and alternator, on it.. nothing major.. its been a good ride..

just tore this thing apart what the best way to get the water out of this engine.. or will it disapate when i change the oil?