Got the Leak (UPDATE 2-25-04)

Well, I changed my oil after work tonight, and when I took the filler cap off, there was white milky crap on the bottom of the cap. issed: I really thought I would be one of the lucky ones that didn't get the intake manifold gasket leak, but I guess not. There will be some hell to pay though. Just before my warranty was up, my coolant light came on. So I took it in and told them to specifically check since there is a history of the gaskets goin bad. They SAID they pressure tested the system and all was well, but coolant does not just dissappear. I know there is some degree of evaporation, but not like this was! So I told them I wanted documentation of the whole situation, so that if it happened again, I could prove the symptoms started under warranty. So I'll start at the dealership, and if I have no luck there, then I'll give GM a call.

[johny_boy32]

at least you cought it and it will be on the RO for documentation also...hope it doesnt happen to me

[brsexton]

Originally posted by johny_boy32@Jan 29 2004, 08:31 PM
at least you cought it and it will be on the RO for documentation also...hope it doesnt happen to me

You have the 2.4L. I don't think they have any issues with it like the 3400/3100 does.

3.4.... were there any other signs? I've been having my low coolant light flash on a couple of occasions, but it usually shuts off in like 20-30 seconds... I'm thinking it might be the cold here... but I've also noticed that the exhaust smells a little funny (well, I noticed it today a little... I think... ). Wondering if that was another way to tell?

Went to add some washer fluid today and noticed that there is oil coming out of the lower intake manifold gasket issed: . I have been ignoring the evidence from when I changed my oil, hoping it was a fluke, but this definitely is NOT. The pic below shows where the oil is running out, and where it has puddled. Called the dealer, and referenced the stuff from before that I mentioned above. They said they can't do anything, because I have put 12,000 miles on since then, and if it would've been bad then, it wouldn't have lasted this long. But they were nice about it, and he suggested calling Olds. So I did. I talked to Siras, and he was VERY nice. Told me to get it officially diagnosed by the dealer, and then he should be able to help out. HE's going to call ME back tomorrow, just to check and see if I made it to the dealer yet.

But here's the interesting part: I asked him if he knew whether or not GM was looking at recalling these, and he said that all of this info goes into a database, and all the people like him who answer these calls file what they feel are "concerns" based on what they hear. He said it is being looked at, AND that several vehicles have already been recalled for LIM gasket leaks. Not all are 3400's but he said it wouldn't necessarily be for the engine, as much as which engines used a certain gasket material. The ones he could think of off the top of his head:

Regals
Luminas
'97-'98 Malibus (I asked him specifically about this one, since I also own a '98 Malibu. He said that not all of them were recalled, just certain ones, built at certain plants, using certain gasket materials)
'97-'98 Cutlass and Cutlass Supremes
'98 Intrigues

So it DEFINITELY looks like there is hope for this to be a 100% covered item in the not so far off future. And anyone who paid to have it fixed, or fixed it themselves, save your receipts, cause they will reimburse you.

Have a nice day!

If anyone else is planning on calling Olds about this happening to their car, I would recommend calling Siras (yes you can understand him, he has no accent). He can be reached at 1-866-932-4368 ext 39337. He said he always checks his voicemail at some point from home, too, so leave him a message. Also, please have your VIN # available, because it will help them determine better whether or not there is a certain trend (year, plant, etc.). The more info we give them, the less time it will take for them to research. That means the recall will happen faster.

Originally posted by boarder211@Jan 31 2004, 09:19 PM
3.4.... were there any other signs? I've been having my low coolant light flash on a couple of occasions, but it usually shuts off in like 20-30 seconds... I'm thinking it might be the cold here... but I've also noticed that the exhaust smells a little funny (well, I noticed it today a little... I think... ). Wondering if that was another way to tell?

If you exhaust has a sweet type of smell to it, that is a very strong indicator that you are burning coolant. Also another tell tail, but doesn't happen as offen is a white smoke out of your tail pipe. This is not the condensation smoke that you see in cold weather, but if you see this in the summer after your car has warmed up that's generally coolant being burned as well.

3.4 did a good job pointing out the LIM leaks in his pictures by the way.

[K Dan]

I just had mine done last month. I found out the same way, did an oil change and saw the milky crap. I also had fluid stains on the head right below the gasket. My car is an 03 w/ only 28k miles.

One more picture, even a little more telling. It was dark out when I took it, and the orange is the flashlight light. If you look right at the orange, you can very clearly see the oil stains.

3.4alero my stain looks exactly like yours. have you figured out exactly where its coming out and what have you done about(talked to the dealer, or just gone for the repair

Siras at Olds told me I need to take it to my dealer and get an "official" diagnosis. So I'm going there today, hopefully. As far as exactly where it's coming out, yea, if you look close, you can definitely tell it's coming out the lower intake manifold gasket.

took my car to the dealer two days ago for some service on my front end and they told me my lower intake manifold gasket was leaking , this is the second time ive had it happen, so it was covered under warranty, i wonder how many times this is going to happen lol

Originally posted by bigd6983@Feb 26 2004, 04:22 AM
3.4alero my stain looks exactly like yours. have you figured out exactly where its coming out and what have you done about(talked to the dealer, or just gone for the repair

This also happened to me. AFter paying over $700 to the dealer to replace the intake manifold gasket the first time when it was leaking coolant into my oil, the replacement gasket started leaking oil onto the block in the same exact spot that the pictures above show. It was covered under the first gasket replacements year warranty. But there is obviously something wrong with these "redesigned" gaskets. I'm waiting for it to start leaking again so I can go bitch slap the dealer.

[leroBob]

hmmm.... i was cuirious so i popped my hoood and looked to see if i saw nyhting, well i saw what looked to be old old stains barely noticable if u weren't looking for it, bought my car 4 months ago used from a dealership, so I am thinking that they replaced it??? hmm... wonder if i can find out? <_<

Just ask them. If the car was originally bought there, they should have the history. If it wasn't, ask them to find out where it was purchased. They should be able to get you that info.

Damn......I have the same stains in the same spot. They have been there for awhile now. I just figured it was minimul "normal" seapage. I have had no problems or signs of the "milkyness" in the oil. I'm at 36K with the 60K bumper to bumper warrenty. Do you think I should take this in now....or wait to see if the problem progresses? Like I said, I've noticed no other symptoms.

[Aleromaster]

Well I had to jump start my car today and just out of curiosody decided to look and It seems like I got the leak. There is quite a bit of fluid running out of that spot. Havn't noticed anything in the oil or coolant tank. Gonna take it the the dealership tuesday seeing that I will already be there for a job interview to see if they can do anything. my car is a 2002 with 51K. I will probably also call Siras but if GM is unable to do anything i'll just take it to the Ford dealership and have them do it since I have a 100k warrenty through them with only a $50 deductable

Oldsmopimp, you might as well take it in just to be sure. They will pressure test the system, and if they find that it is leaking, you will at least get it fixed under warranty.

I'm taking mine in tomorrow (finally) for the "official" diagnosis. But I'm going out of town for a couple of days right after I drop it off, so I'll let y'all know when I get back.

Well, as I was playing with my CAI tonight....I grabbed a flashlight to have a closer look at the leak. It's pretty bad actually. On BOTH sides of the block as well. issed: I have a pressure tester(cooling system only), but didnt really have the time tonight to check it. I'll do that tomarrow if the weather permits, or if there is room in the shop. Im going to schedule an appt. real soon at the dealership. Thing is....I have an EXTREAM phobia with other people working on my car. None the less....I agree with getting it fixed asap.

im almost afraid to open my hood now...if i do have a leak how serious of a problem is it to get ifxed, basically i mean does it have to be fixed ASAP or is it still safe to drive for a bit