 |
 | Home | Contact Us | FAQ | Search & Site Map | Link to Us |
 | Sign In | Join | Other 45 Sites in Network |
Car Forum / Chevrolet / Chevrolet Malibu / June 200798 Malibu coolant loss
I had to replace an belt idler on a 98 Chev Malibu with a 3100 V 6 approx 68k miles the owner says she has to check the coolant level weekly. she has been doing this for a few months now, I am not real familiar with these engines, there are no signs of leaks that I can see, but when the car is up to normal temp, I can smell coolant, nothing is wet. but maybe someone who has been around these models can shed some light where I may look, I was thinking of adding some stop leak, but before I do it, I want to see what responses I get. thanks Chet > I had to replace an belt idler on a 98 Chev Malibu with a 3100 V 6 > approx 68k miles the owner says she has to check the coolant level [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > thanks > Chet the 3100 is prone to lower intake gaskets failing and allowing coolant into engine oil. no external leaks will be found...........check 1) condition and level of engine oil (muddy looking oil a real giveaway). 2) check base of PCV valve for whiteish froth 3) check oil filler cap for same froth.........stop leak of no help if this is the problem...........kjun  SignatureThe Source For Premium Newsgroup Access Great Speed, Great Retention 1 GB/Day for only $8.95 >> I had to replace an belt idler on a 98 Chev Malibu with a 3100 V 6 >> approx 68k miles the owner says she has to check the coolant level [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > same froth.........stop leak of no help if this is the > problem...........kjun Hello Kjun I checked what you mentioned, there is only 1000 miles on the oil and it is still maintaining it's level, looks normal, I will check the PCV valve and the filler cap later when she brings the car back, approx how long of a job is it to replace the lower intake gaskets. thanks for your help! Chet >>> I had to replace an belt idler on a 98 Chev Malibu with a 3100 V 6 >>> approx 68k miles the owner says she has to check the coolant level [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] > > Chet sooner or later it will lose the lower gasket seal but it might not be right now. ive had to change them anywhere from 50k to 150k. as another poster said it could be water pump seep but you should see signs around the pump, even if its not wet at the time....flat rate to change mentioned gaskets is about 7 hrs....normally ends up about 7 hundred bucks after parts, supplies, and labor..............the white froth around the filler cap and PCV valve are just condensation from the water in the coolant that collect on low points......if it gets leaking very bad (lower int. gasks.) you will see oil level rise close to the same rate as coolant lose............kjun SignatureThe Source For Premium Newsgroup Access Great Speed, Great Retention 1 GB/Day for only $8.95 "chet" <> wrote in message news: > I had to replace an belt idler on a 98 Chev Malibu with a 3100 V 6 > approx 68k miles the owner says she has to check the coolant level [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > light where I may look, I was thinking of adding some stop leak, but > before I do it, I want to see what responses I get. My 2001 had the intake manifold leak, not real bad about a quart per month. I used 'Bars Leaks' Heavy Duty and it has stopped the leak, no more adding coolant. I use regular ethylene glycol diluted 50/50, instead of the Dexcool. But if it is leaking into the oil (crankcase) then it may not work, as Bars Leaks works where the coolant hits the air. If you notice the 'muddy' oil mentioned, it is probably a $700 gasket replacement. It would probably work to add the Bars Leaks to the cooland resevoir, but I diconnected the driver side radiator hose at the engine, poured some out, and added the liquid and pellets there. The pellets disolve in warm coolant. Makes the coolant dark, mostly the lubricant fluid in it. >I had to replace an belt idler on a 98 Chev Malibu with a 3100 V 6 approx >68k miles the owner says she has to check the coolant level weekly. she has [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > thanks > Chet Water pumps will often leak without visible evidence as the water is sprayed around by the rotating parts when the engine is running and they will sometimes leak only when running. A cooling system pressure test will often show up hard to find leaks. The testers are not terribly expensive and you may be able to borrow one or have someone do the test for you. Don Young |
Reply to this Message |
 Sign In
 Join
 My Latest Posts My Monitored Threads My Blog My Photo Gallery My Profile My Homepage Start New Thread Enable EMail Alerts Rate this Thread
|
©2008 Advenet LLC Privacy Policy - Terms of Use
This website includes both content owned or controlled by Advenet as well as content owned or controlled by third parties.