antifreze

[elpuas3000]

hey i dunno what to do with my alero everytime that i check the antifreze in the radiator oveflow bottle its always empty...
the last time that it was in the shop was on january for the same problem and they told me that it was the gastek. what should i do now ?

[YALEROYNOT]

mmmm ? fix the gasket. thats where I would start.

[elpuas3000]

Originally Posted by YALEROYNOT

mmmm ? fix the gasket. thats where I would start.

which gasket?

[cavaliers60]

If it were me, I would just replace all of them.

[cherrington17]

LIM most likely...

[negolien]

most places place a dye in the system to check and see where the leak is. As for DIY /shrug look for a wet spot? LOL.... could check Napa and see if they have a dye for sale or you could take it in and have someone at a dealership fix it.

[elpuas3000]

Originally Posted by cherrington17

LIM most likely...

LIM......?

[01silveralero]

lim = lower intake manifold..

it could also be a head gasket problem and pressuring the cylinder and making overflow empty by either dropping the coolant out the exhaust or out of the overflow tank.

[negolien]

Good point Silver.. Notice any white smoke or water out the tailpipe? I thought the overflow was a part that was sealed since when I crack mine when warm it sounds pressurized so not sure how it could come outta that unless there is a one way overflow tube.

I think fixing your own gear is a good thing however I also think taking it in to a dealership that knows the ins and outs of the vehicle is great if you can afford it. My advice would be to let a trained technician fix it if you have the cash.

[Seaaan]

If you can fix it yourself fix it, if you can't take it somewhere you trust...

while you're at it get rid of that crappy dex-cool and replace it with prestone

[elpuas3000]

Originally Posted by negolien

Good point Silver.. Notice any white smoke or water out the tailpipe? I thought the overflow was a part that was sealed since when I crack mine when warm it sounds pressurized so not sure how it could come outta that unless there is a one way overflow tube.

I think fixing your own gear is a good thing however I also think taking it in to a dealership that knows the ins and outs of the vehicle is great if you can afford it. My advice would be to let a trained technician fix it if you have the cash.

today i saw white smoke coming out of the tailpipe

[negolien]

That sounds like a head gasket to me and that's not good. Check your oil and see if it's watery or wierd looking. I would be careful driving it as you could warp your head I think if it's a head gasket and your temp gets too hot.
How are you on funds can you afford to take it in to the dealer?

[elpuas3000]

Originally Posted by negolien

That sounds like a head gasket to me and that's not good. Check your oil and see if it's watery or wierd looking. I would be careful driving it as you could warp your head I think if it's a head gasket and your temp gets too hot.
How are you on funds can you afford to take it in to the dealer?

somethimes i c that temperature raises a bit. so u r saying thath the head gasket is bad .
OMG
do u know how much is going to cost me to get it fix...
the oil looks ok

[elpuas3000]

so can any1 tell me how much is going 2 cost me

[Redog]

Well a LIMG is in the $600 to $800 range, but a head gasket will probably be about $1100.

Make sure that the inside of the engine is clean. A good flush will be neccessary since you've been driving with antifreeze in the oil. This wears the internals down and soon you make see blue smoke, which means severe engine wear

[elpuas3000]

how many hours it takes to change the head gasket?

[negolien]

You said your oil looks ok though yes? I would think your oil would be runny/milky had it been a head gasket. If I were you considering you had trouble diagnosing this I would really really reconsider doing this work yourself. I have done quiet a bit of work to vehicles including multiple transmission replacements on my 73 Olds and I wouldn't touch this car myself. It's a drag with a regular motor for this kind of motor I shiver to think about it. If your extremely mechanically inclined and have all the proper tools plus a Haynes /shrug it would be up to you to make the decision to pull apart alot of your motor and dive into this.

[goldalero99]

The problem with the lower intake manifold gasket is VERY common in these cars. If you do some searching on the internet, you'll see this a lot. A leaking one will allow the coolant to leak into the engine and your coolant level will always get low. You'll probably not see a leak/wet spot under your car though.

[elpuas3000]

yeah this thing has happend to me 4 times already and am getting tired of paying paying n paying to get it fix...
the first was that the all the antifreeze was mix with oil the second time antifrezze was leaking third time the same thing and now this...

[goldalero99]

What did they fix the last three times?