If I let this go can it destroy my engine? I had my transmission lines replaced yesterday and the dealer said that they also found coolant/oil leaking from the motor on both sides. I known about the leak for a few years now and even put bars leak in it at the time but the dealer thinks this is a serious issue. So can the coolant actually go into the oil because of this? I havent heard of this happening but what is your opinion.
2001 Grand Am GT lower intake manifold leak(LIM)
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Absolutely to every question you posed. Yes, it can and will ruin the engine and yes, the typical symptoms is oil in the coolant.
Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
Here are the instructions:
Upper Intake Manifold
Lower Intake Manifold
The processes are probably similar, but the illustration you posted are for the 3800 engine. He's most likely asking about one of the 60-degree engines (3100 or 3400).
Here are the instructions:
Upper Intake Manifold
Lower Intake Manifold
The processes are probably similar, but the illustration you posted are for the 3800 engine. He's most likely asking about one of the 60-degree engines (3100 or 3400).
I thought the only way for the coolant to go into the oil was thru the head gasket? I wonder how many people who never replaced the lower intake manifold gasket actually had coolant go into the oil?
I've mostly seen oil in the coolant.
Originally Posted By: css9450
The processes are probably similar, but the illustration you posted are for the 3800 engine. He's most likely asking about one of the 60-degree engines (3100 or 3400).
You're probably right. I was thinking Grand Prix.
The processes are probably similar, but the illustration you posted are for the 3800 engine. He's most likely asking about one of the 60-degree engines (3100 or 3400).
You're probably right. I was thinking Grand Prix.
The lower intake manifold on those engines have coolant channels running through them. Thus, if the gasket fails, you have coolant in your intake, in your cylinder, and then in the crankcase. Not good no matter how you look at it.
Originally Posted By: mike7139
I thought the only way for the coolant to go into the oil was thru the head gasket? I wonder how many people who never replaced the lower intake manifold gasket actually had coolant go into the oil?
I just finished the process of dealing with a failed LIM gasket on a 3.1 engine. I confirmed the issue through an oil analysis which detected the presence of coolant in the oil.
Certainly oil entering the coolant can be a major issue but it would seem to me from an engine longevity standpoint, coolant in the oil is far more serious.
I thought the only way for the coolant to go into the oil was thru the head gasket? I wonder how many people who never replaced the lower intake manifold gasket actually had coolant go into the oil?
I just finished the process of dealing with a failed LIM gasket on a 3.1 engine. I confirmed the issue through an oil analysis which detected the presence of coolant in the oil.
Certainly oil entering the coolant can be a major issue but it would seem to me from an engine longevity standpoint, coolant in the oil is far more serious.
I R&R'd the LIM gasket on my son's 2000 Malibu with the 3.1 4 years ago. Poor GM design plus Dexcool antifreeze that in time eats up the LIM gasket. That's why they call it "Deathcool".
Fixed in my Grand Am too. The not-so-funny part is the newer gaskets are called the "problem-solver" on o'reilly's auto parts site last I knew.
Yes... "Fel-Pro Problem Solver." They saw that the plastic skeletons that held the old gaskets together would crack, so they made metal skeletons.
Also, the 3.1 and 3.4 engines were even more prone to HG failure than most other engines. What made things worse was that the 5 year coolant was not actually good for 5 years in most cases.
Why was GM so stupid when making those OE manifold gaskets on their V6 engines? There were many other V6 engines without problematic gaskets, why couldn't they use one of those designs?
Also, the 3.1 and 3.4 engines were even more prone to HG failure than most other engines. What made things worse was that the 5 year coolant was not actually good for 5 years in most cases.
Why was GM so stupid when making those OE manifold gaskets on their V6 engines? There were many other V6 engines without problematic gaskets, why couldn't they use one of those designs?
Ok one last question. If the coolant does seep into the oil because of a bad LIM, will all of the coolant go into the oil at once? or will it be more of a slow leak?
It usually starts out as a slow leak that gets worse. Some of the coolant leaks externally, some of it leaks down into the valley where it does the most harm. The antifreeze can cause seizure at the cam bearing and snap the hollow cam. Anti-freeze in the oil is hard on the main bearing and increase engine corrsion wear.
You might want to change your oil at least every 3k mile/3 months until you get it changed. And maybe change the coolant over to polypropelene type said to be easier on bearing. Better yet just replace the gasket asap if you plan on keeping the car long term.
I've heard of people haggling and getting it done at a shop for as little as $500, but $800 would probably be more typical. Just make sure the Felpro permadry plus "problem solver" gasket is used and the lower intake bolts are torqued to the revised spec.
You might want to change your oil at least every 3k mile/3 months until you get it changed. And maybe change the coolant over to polypropelene type said to be easier on bearing. Better yet just replace the gasket asap if you plan on keeping the car long term.
I've heard of people haggling and getting it done at a shop for as little as $500, but $800 would probably be more typical. Just make sure the Felpro permadry plus "problem solver" gasket is used and the lower intake bolts are torqued to the revised spec.
Originally Posted By: mechanicx
Just make sure the Felpro permadry plus "problem solver" gasket is used and the lower intake bolts are torqued to the revised spec.
...don't forget the correct torque on the rocker arm bolts, too.......
Just make sure the Felpro permadry plus "problem solver" gasket is used and the lower intake bolts are torqued to the revised spec.
...don't forget the correct torque on the rocker arm bolts, too.......
Originally Posted By: cchase
Originally Posted By: mechanicx
Just make sure the Felpro permadry plus "problem solver" gasket is used and the lower intake bolts are torqued to the revised spec.
...don't forget the correct torque on the rocker arm bolts, too.......
True. Not over or under tightening those bolts could be the most critical part.
Originally Posted By: mechanicx
Just make sure the Felpro permadry plus "problem solver" gasket is used and the lower intake bolts are torqued to the revised spec.
...don't forget the correct torque on the rocker arm bolts, too.......
True. Not over or under tightening those bolts could be the most critical part.
Lisle tool makes a tool that lets you tilt the rocker arm out of the way so you don't need to remove it to remove the pushrods and intake gasket.
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