2000 Impala Running Rough  

Group: alt.autos.chevrolet.malibu Date: Sun, Dec 28, 2003, 5:38pm
(CST+6) From: 101@earthlink.net (not)
Thanks for the info.
I'm having a problem with the fact that the dealer said it's the lower
intake gasket and my new mechanic found no problem with lower intake
gasket. So, we're going on to the head gasket. I have no coolant in my
oil. How does somebody diagnose this problem without taking the whole
engine apart? When I spoke to the dealer, they told me they did a
compression test - (I thought we only did this to look for leaks in
areas like the water pump). Still baffled as to the diagnostic process.

No they ran a pressure test on your cooling system...Not a cylinder
compression test they are two different things.....To be honest if your
not getting coolant in your oil and your car doesnt over heat its probly
not your heads......A pressure test id used to determine if your cooling
system holds a certien amout of pressure....Also tells you where your
leak is....A cpmoression test tells you weather or not your cylinders
are producing enough compression.....If your not getting compression or
enough compression to a certian cylinder the you have a problem in the
head somewhere or bad rings on your piston...Most of the time you will
not even loose pressure in your cooling system with the intake
leaking.....thus it will pass a pressure test..... Sounds to me your new
mechanic is trying to give you the shaft....Once you have the intake off
its real simple to remove the heads and with that in mind he can charge
you alot more.....Also he probly wount even change the head gasket just
the intake and say he did because you have to replace the intake gaskets
anyways when you do the heads...So you wount even know.....My advice is
this have the Dealer put in the new intake gaskets...Then if the problem
stiil there take it back to them tell them they said it would fix the
problem and it didnt 9 times out of ten you will get your heads done on
them
because of their mistake....
Ive seen this happen before....
Steve C.

or you can get another opinion from another shop.....