GM 3.1L V6 (model year 1995)

[SFCP]

******************VERDICT*******************
Timing chain cover gasket...(go figure)
Mechanic said that there is a section of it toward the top that has an antifreeze bypass of some sort and that is what is causing the coolant leak. Said he will also check the timing change, but suggested that at 130k, it would be a good idea to replace the chane since they will have the cover off. Also said he will have to give the egine an oil change as gunk will get into the oil from doing this job. Regarding the oil change...After they change it, would it be a good idea for me to change the oil again after 500-1000 miles to be safe as to make sure any additional stuff is drained out from doing this repair?

 

[SFCP]

typo above... ****he will check the timing chain***

 

[m2200b]

Very unusual for the timing chain to stretch that much in 130K for overhead valve v6 or v8. If its just the cover gasket do that.

 

[scottjima]

It's the intake gaskets... Had the same exact symptoms on a 3.4L 1999 model. From the pooling of coolant in the intake area to the drops on the floor. A UOA confirmed mine was leaking internally and externally...

 

[Gene K]

Quote:

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Very unusual for the timing chain to stretch that much in 130K for overhead valve v6 or v8. If its just the cover gasket do that.

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We used to have to replace Small Block Chavy V-8 Timing Chains at 60,000 mi. I hate Nylon Timing Chain Gears!

 

[wgtoys]

If that car is still on it's original intake gasket set you are running on borrowed time IMO.

 

[Julian]

Quote:

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Regarding the oil change...After they change it, would it be a good idea for me to change the oil again after 500-1000 miles to be safe as to make sure any additional stuff is drained out from doing this repair?

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Sure wouldn't hurt. If you're thinking about doing a UOA at some point down the road, you will want your engine to have gone through a few oil changes so your sample isn't "contaminated". (If you test too soon, the sample could show high coolant and/or silicon and/or increased wear metals, but it might be from something related to the repair instead of a chronic leak. But… if you run a few oil changes through it, then sample… and it still shows coolant, you will know you have an honest-to-goodness leak – intake manifold gasket wouldn’t be a bad place to start looking.)

Edit: duhhhh, nevermind about the switching coolant comments, just saw your other thread about the Dex-Cool thing...

Tough luck on the timing chain cover gasket. Just out of curiosity, how much did they get you for? (I have a 1995 Lumina too

)

Cute bio by the way, I have a t-shirt that says: “beans and corn, corn and beans… variety is the spice of life”

 

[chiefsfan]

I had to pay for a timing chain cover gasket like you described on a 3100 at a dealership. $1100. I thought it was dex cool related. But mine is a 1997 and yours is a 95 so I assume you have the green stuff in it. I assumed it was the dex cool that ate through it, even though I maintained it well, but it may be another poor gasket design by GM.