1997 with problems?

skye23412 · #1 03-08-2007, 05:17 PM

my overflow leaks coolant, a couple months ago i saw a spray being tossed up via the serpentine belt, i figure its just a pinhole leak and didnt think much of it. recently my car goes through a bit more coolant but still it is manangeable. i dont think it is the head gasket that these cars are famous for, is it?

also, the service engine soon light is always on, mom says it has been on since she got the car, and I got it from here after she paid for a new tranny.

also, 2 months ago i started the car and everything was shaking. along with the shaking the service engine light was blinking,(because the light is always on) this happened a couple times, but hasnt in a few months. could this be due to the cold?

overall, the car is great, i just hate that i only get 20mpg. what do you guys think could be the cause of these problems?

bleepster · #2 03-09-2007, 09:10 AM

as far as the coolant leak - to me it sounds like the water pump may be leaking. These cars are known for lower intake leaks as well, and occassionaly a bad head gasket.

to pin point the problem - pay to have a pressure test done on the engine, and the leak will be found.

as far as the Service Engine Soon (SES) light - go to autozone, and they will scan the car for codes (they will do this free) write down the codes and post them here for further help.

how many miles on the car?

when was the last tune up?

plugs and wires ever get changed?

skye23412 · #3 03-09-2007, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bleepster

as far as the coolant leak - to me it sounds like the water pump may be leaking. These cars are known for lower intake leaks as well, and occassionaly a bad head gasket.

to pin point the problem - pay to have a pressure test done on the engine, and the leak will be found.

as far as the Service Engine Soon (SES) light - go to autozone, and they will scan the car for codes (they will do this free) write down the codes and post them here for further help.

how many miles on the car?

when was the last tune up?

plugs and wires ever get changed?

120k miles

no clue on the tuneup

and the plugs and wires were done by somebody that probably shouldnt have done them, but that was about a year ago

richtazz · #4 03-09-2007, 04:33 PM

IF the overflow bottle is leaking, you need to fix it as running this car low on coolant is asking for a huge repair bill. You can buy a plastic tank repair kit at a snowmobile/motorcycle dealer, as their fuel tanks are made of the same plastic. If you're losing coolant from somewhere other than the overflow, you need to check the oil for coolant contamination. The intake gaskets are the infamous failure, and if let go, they will lead to head gasket failure or worse. You need to have a pressure test done to determine where the coolant leak is. The blinking CEL is indicating a mis-fire. This could be caused by cheapo plugs/wires, a bad injector, or a blown head gasket/coolant in the cylinder. You need to get the car scanned (you live in MN, so you should have an Auto-Zone or Advance around, they scan for free). Post the results here, as I wouldn't trust their definitions, and we can help you determine what caused the CEL to remain on.

skye23412 · #5 03-09-2007, 05:35 PM

i really doubt that it is a head gasket leak, i have been driving the car like this for months and no major problems, i think i would know if it was the head gasket

cf1 · #6 03-10-2007, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skye23412

i really doubt that it is a head gasket leak, i have been driving the car like this for months and no major problems, i think i would know if it was the head gasket

you need a water pump, and plugs and wires, your car will run like new,, unless you got the engine hot.. then you will need a intake gasket...

no xprt 97 lumina · #7 03-10-2007, 11:10 PM

My 1997 Lumina just had the head go. I had replaced the water pump about 6 months ago. Coolant was leaking when the water pump was replaced. This time it over heated and whenit got towed to the shop the coolant was almost gone.
What is happening with the claim against GM? Does anyone have any details how I can get on the list?

skye23412 · #8 03-11-2007, 10:51 PM

engine has an odd smell, atleast i think its from the engine, its from the hood area thats for sure.

the temp gage is higher than normal, it hit halfway for the first time ever.

i poured coolant into my overflow on saturday and on sunday morning it was 4 or 5 inches lower than what i had added.

also, the change oil soon light is on for like the first 90seconds the car runs. what could be the problems?

bleepster · #9 03-12-2007, 02:57 PM

the change oil soon light will come on when its time to change the oil. to "reset" the light - turn the key to "ACC" position (so the radio works, but the car aint runiing) press on the accelerator and pump it 3 times - hold it down to the floor on the fourth pump - Change oil Soon light should blink a few times then go out.

Do this after EVERY oil change.

Still - take car to a shop, get codes read and get a pressure test before you end up jacking the car up for good.

do you see fluid (antifreeze) on the ground?

bleepster · #10 03-12-2007, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skye23412

i really doubt that it is a head gasket leak, i have been driving the car like this for months and no major problems, i think i would know if it was the head gasket

also - not ripping - but that is a bold statement. My head gasket went out. I at first thought it was the lower intake - i just added fluid - maybe fill off the over flow once a week. Finally had some $$ saved up - took it in for a pressure test. Shop immediatly called me 20 minutes after dropping it off. they didnt even have to pressure test it. the gasket on the passanger side rear head was blown out. and I never had fluid on the driveway.

best bet - pay for the pressure test - that is 100% accurate

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