 | |
98 Malibu coolant loss
Chevrolet Malibu Chevrolet Malibu Discussions (alt.autos.chevrolet.malibu)
 |
| | Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
 
| |||
| |||
|
Re: 98 Malibu coolant loss -
06-24-2007
, 08:42 AM
|
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 |
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
--
The Source For Premium Newsgroup Access
Great Speed, Great Retention
1 GB/Day for only $8.95
#2
| |||
| |||
|
#3
| |||
| |||
|
|
chet <chet (AT) epix (DOT) net> wrote in news:PMufi.11075$Oc.269825 (AT) news1 (DOT) epix.net: 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 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 |
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
#4
| |||
| |||
|
|
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. My 2001 had the intake manifold leak, not real bad |
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 $700 gasket replacement.
It would probably work to add the Bars Leaks to the cooland resevoir, but I
diconnected the driver side radiator hose at the engine, poured some out,
and added the liquid and pellets there. The pellets disolve in warm
coolant. Makes the coolant dark, mostly the lubricant fluid in it.
#5
| |||
| |||
|
|
I had to replace an belt idler on a 98 Chev Malibu with a 3100 V 6 approx 68k miles the owner says she has to check the coolant level weekly. she has been doing this for a few months now, I am not real familiar with these engines, there are no signs of leaks that I can see, but when the car is up to normal temp, I can smell coolant, nothing is wet. but maybe someone who has been around these models can shed some light where I may look, I was thinking of adding some stop leak, but before I do it, I want to see what responses I get. thanks Chet Water pumps will often leak without visible evidence as the water is sprayed |
sometimes leak only when running. A cooling system pressure test will often
show up hard to find leaks. The testers are not terribly expensive and you
may be able to borrow one or have someone do the test for you.
Don Young
#6
| |||
| |||
|
|
Kjun wrote: chet <chet (AT) epix (DOT) net> wrote in news:PMufi.11075$Oc.269825 (AT) news1 (DOT) epix.net: 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 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 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 |
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
--
The Source For Premium Newsgroup Access
Great Speed, Great Retention
1 GB/Day for only $8.95
|
« Previous Thread
|
Next Thread »
| Thread Tools | |
| Display Modes | |
Linear Mode
| |
Powered by vBulletin
Copyright ©2000 - 2009, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2000 - 2009, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.