Coolant Issues!!! Please Help

Freezman2 · 11-27-2006, 11:37 PM

Recently (last month or so) my coolant light has been coming on...my coolant is low when i check the tank...so i proceed to fill it back up with the water/antifreez mixture....a few weeks later the coolant light came on again....from what i have heard and read my coolant shouldnt really be a problem for a fairly long time....the tank even says have it check at 150,000 miles, and i only have like 98,000....i dont see anything leaking on my drive way so that means its possibly going into the engine.....is this an issue with a gasket....when i got my oil chaged a few days ago i asked and they told me that GM cars sometimes have issues with a certain gasket....i just want to fix the problem the right way...and i know coolant possibly being in the engine is NOT good. THANKS FOR THE HELP!!!

1999 3.4L V6 haha Silver 4door

billytheman1188 · 11-27-2006, 11:40 PM

I HAVE THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM!!!!! i filled it up 2 months ago, it was good for a week, the light came back on, i filled it more, then it didnt come on for a month, and just this weekend it came on again and i put more in.

WHATS WRONG!?!?! there are no leaks for me either.

Oldsnut · 11-27-2006, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freezman2

Recently (last month or so) my coolant light has been coming on...my coolant is low when i check the tank...so i proceed to fill it back up with the water/antifreez mixture....a few weeks later the coolant light came on again....from what i have heard and read my coolant shouldnt really be a problem for a fairly long time....the tank even says have it check at 150,000 miles, and i only have like 98,000....i dont see anything leaking on my drive way so that means its possibly going into the engine.....is this an issue with a gasket....when i got my oil chaged a few days ago i asked and they told me that GM cars sometimes have issues with a certain gasket....i just want to fix the problem the right way...and i know coolant possibly being in the engine is NOT good. THANKS FOR THE HELP!!!

1999 3.4L V6 haha Silver 4door

I would definitely say you have a gasket problem if you don't see any antifreeze on the ground. Check all parts of the motor very thoroughly for leaks before proceeding.

billytheman1188 · 11-28-2006, 09:48 AM

so can i get the parts i need for this repair online???? or do i have to go to the dealership?

Mr_Reed · 11-28-2006, 10:23 AM

It sounds like a Lower Intake Manifold Gasket problem..
I'd really take it to maybe GM or a good shop not a hole in the wall rip you a new one shop and get the to do an Analysis on it but until you do that might want to try some stop leak in your radiator.

BadFrog · 11-28-2006, 11:44 AM

get an analysis done, maby by a dealership, they are so good at finding things to fix, but thats where I would end it with them.
the Gaskit parts can be found online, your best bet it to get a felpro replacement kit, it will prevent it from happening again, and it is cheaper that the GM parts. most autoparts stores can get it for you, I have one comming from summit, they should be around 80 ish dollars, part number MS98003T

sound_xtreme · 11-28-2006, 11:44 AM

yup, both got the LIM.

and billy, considering all of your past posts I'm going to tell you to just take it to a shop/dealer. This consists of tearing a lot of the motor down

super white alero1 · 11-28-2006, 11:59 AM

LIM is common on all 3100 and 3400 motors. Felpro gasket (MS98004T) the blue one is stronger and better than the GM part. IT should cost you at a reputable shop about $450-$500. including parts, labor, coolant, and oil. Rember you need, upper/lower intake gasket and valve cover gasket and possibly the plastic elbow pipe near the belt side. (I might be thinking of the 3100 motor on the plastic elbow pipe)

Cliff8928 · 11-28-2006, 12:56 PM

That's the 3800 with that plastic elbow that always breaks, not the 3400.

11-28-2006, 01:30 PM

i had this problem with mine, it turned out to be an internal leak and cost quite a penny so hopefully yours is just the gasket.

super white alero1 · 11-28-2006, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cliff8928

That's the 3800 with that plastic elbow that always breaks, not the 3400.

I knew it was one of those motor. Can't remember since it been over 3 months since I did one.

billytheman1188 · 11-28-2006, 04:25 PM

This isnt gonna be prettylol

So what site can i go to to get the new parts?

I will take it to the dealer and have them look at it, then if it is this problem, i will order the parts online, and take it to the mechanic i usually go to.

Ryan from Ohio · 11-28-2006, 05:09 PM

I had this same exact problem.

Except I was stupid and just added water two times in a row. Ended up boiling over in the summer.

So I did a complete flush/fill with stop leak.

4 months later, no more problem.

Must of had a very SMALL leak somewhere. Never seen it on the ground. Wasnt in the oil...

Pimpalero03 · 11-28-2006, 06:44 PM

look under ur throttle body on the side of the engine where the lower intake meets the block. if its wet by that seal then ur lower intake is leaking. same on the other side of hte engine .

Freezman2 · 11-28-2006, 09:16 PM

you can sign this petition that asks GM to recall the Intake Manifold gasket on thier GM cars....apparently this is a fairly larger issue...

http://www.petitiononline.com/GMcnsmrs/petition.html

I would advise anyone who has had, is having or may have this problem in the future to call Oldsmobile Customer Service, the number is: 1-800-442-6537

By doing this, you are putting this issue in front of GM and also relating this specific issue to the specific vehicle. From what I understand, if there are a lot of inquiries about a cetain issue, is could lead to a recall!!!

Thanks for all your help!