Coolant, residue, oil clean

[BigDaddyShoe]

Ok, awhile back i posted regarding the low coolant light coming on. Today I braved the 0 degree F weather to fill my coolant, and noticed that the portion of the reservoir that is meant to be filled was almost empty! I also noticed grime along the sides of that same reservoir, and found it very difficult to gauge how far up to fill the coolant. I think i managed to fill it just below the line, but had emptied almost half of the coolant bottle into it (yes, dexcool). Anyways, the car no longer reports low coolant, but I'm worried that it might be that I have the dreaded gasket leak. I check the oil almost weekly and never noticed any abnormalities. Could it be that it's just a matter of slow evaporation or a leak somewhere else in the system? I'm gonna keep an eye on it over the next few weeks, but I was wondering what all of the signs of the gasket leak were?

[99ALERO]

look around the engine block, or around the lower intake manifold.. you would see coolant around their or a stain from where its leaking, dont worry bout losing coolant every year its natural. i add some every six or so months.

It could be slow evaporation. but i would check your radiator and your hoses to make sure. im sure its just slow evaporation.

did you mix the coolant 50/50? get a tester to make sure its good for -35 too!

[BigDaddyShoe]

Mix the coolant 50/50? What does that mean?

[3.4Alero]

Unless it is the kind that is already mixed, you need to dilute the antifreeze 50/50 with deionized water.

[jungleboy]

I've been having problems with this too. When I check the oil filler cap I've got all kinds of goo on it, but when I check the dip stick the oil looks fine. I find that I'm losing about 2 liters of coolant for every 1000km. I'm wondering also if this has anything to do with the lower manifold gasket.

[99ALERO]

Originally posted by jungleboy@Feb 22 2004, 12:16 AM
I've been having problems with this too. When I check the oil filler cap I've got all kinds of goo on it, but when I check the dip stick the oil looks fine. I find that I'm losing about 2 liters of coolant for every 1000km. I'm wondering also if this has anything to do with the lower manifold gasket.
yes

[jungleboy]

Originally posted by 99ALERO+Feb 23 2004, 12:10 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (99ALERO @ Feb 23 2004, 12:10 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-jungleboy@Feb 22 2004, 12:16 AM
I've been having problems with this too. When I check the oil filler cap I've got all kinds of goo on it, but when I check the dip stick the oil looks fine. I find that I'm losing about 2 liters of coolant for every 1000km. I'm wondering also if this has anything to do with the lower manifold gasket.
yes [/b][/quote]
Thanks, that saves me a ton of guess work.

[Jetfix]

It's just evaporation, my alero is only driven when I'm home on leave usually about three weeks every 7 to 8 months, when I'm gone it's in storage, evry time I come home the resevoir is empty, I pressure checked the cooling system, no leaks so nothin to worry about

[IanJ66]

GOO on the cap huh. Well back when i was a boat mechanic we had alot of runins with water and oil mixing. Sludge on the oil cap is a sign of moisture but that can be as simple as driving in a very wet climate. When the oil starts to turn a funny brown color, that is usually a sign of water contamination. I had a grandprix that blew the intake gasket and i found that the easiest way to check for a bad gasket was to check for collant pressure. After driving the car, and getting it up to temp, shut it off, pop the hood and squeeze the upper radiator hose. This hose should be hard and pressurized. If your system isnt pressurized it can usually be a bad cap or a leak in the system somewhere. Also with my grand prix i found that sitting at a light the car would warm up over normal and as soon as i hit the gas the temp would drop below normal. Another sign of a cooling system not under pressure. In the older cars, like old cars, they didnt use a pressurized cooling system. The coolant just flowed freely and did the job. A pressurized cooling system without pressure basically wont cool your car down at low rpms.

[dadirtybulldog]

i don't think it's a matter of simple evaporation, i've had the same problem for almost a year now. it's been to the mechanic a couple of times... diff mechs too, i looked it over, i've checked this .. checked that.. and i simply can't explain it, i'm filling my coolant up every month! really sux too when no one can give me answers, not even gm.

[nitric]

Im having the same problem w/ the coolant.sludge and low coolant light.
Do you think this is would be covered under the warrenty?

[99blackalero]

it should be, call them and find out

[alerogold1999]

This could be ur intake gasket. mine was doing the same thing goo on the coolant cap and had to fill coolant every once in awhile then i noticed it was leaking right near where ur cruise contral box check around there and see if its leaking. mine was covered under warranty when i had mine fixed. they will change ur oil and antifreeze too. You might have to pay a fee dollars not as much as paying for it without warranty tho. good luck

[nitric]

well,
i took mine into the GM shop they said the its the "LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET" and mine was covered underr the warrenty, but if it wasnt it would have cost me about 700.00 $.

[alerogold1999]

so i was right about the gasket.

[dadirtybulldog]

well, i posted a reply recently on this topic..... i would like to update... after getting fed up with my coolant problem, i decided to change my reservoir tank lid with a brand new one... and..... it fixed it!!!!!!!!!!!! all for around $8.00..... sometimes the most obvious solution is never thought of... no more coolant leaks....sweet :thumbsup:

[exnine@gmail.com]

My Alero is coming down with all of these symptoms. :(

I just talked to a mechanic he says that when GM puts the motor in the car they don't come with a gasket at all. They are just sealed together or something. So its almost bound to happen.

I have the 4 dr 3400, and I just crossed the 90,400 mile mark.

ps. This is stupid. And I don't like it.

[Midgear]

My Alero is coming down with all of these symptoms. :(

I just talked to a mechanic he says that when GM puts the motor in the car they don't come with a gasket at all. They are just sealed together or something. So its almost bound to happen.

I have the 4 dr 3400, and I just crossed the 90,400 mile mark.

ps. This is stupid. And I don't like it.


That is the most retarded thing ive ever read.. Why wouldn't they put a gasket in there?!

[doubleN0alero]

there is a gasket in there...its just not a very good one unless you have a newer car when they switched to the new kind

[shackney]

old thread i know but didn't want to start a new one..it looks like my collant is leaking from the tank..i looked under the tank and u can see the collant dripping off of it. do i get a new tank or is it something else??

[Vtolds]

Probably the hose going into it or out of it. Check for cracks or a loose clamp. Doubtful that the plastic tank would have a leak from normal use.

[shackney]

the hoses looked fine but ill double check..how expensive is it to replace the hoses?

[shackney]

it is my plastic tank..toook it off and had car running and saw the leak.on the back of the tank it has a cack in along the the lip of the tank..i just put some jb weld on it for now til i get a new one and the jb works for now...