01 3800NA Hydro locked Coolant in cylinders

[skidsteer]

Wifes ride. Stock 3.8 na, 150k miles. Hard to start when warm last few days, cranks fo 10 to 20 secs b4 fire up. Cold seemed near normal.
Friday nite she starts it to warm up at work (0 far here) Comes back a few minutes later. Powers is all on but engine stalled. Won't start, cranks ok. So I go pick it up with trailer and put it in heated shop.
By the time I get there its locked up. Charge batt (figure she killed it) and leave it inside overnite. Still no crank, remove belt, not it. Pull plugs, front center cylinder and rear rh cylinder puke gycol out and now it turns. Oil level is up 1/2" on stick but looks ok.

Temped to do compression test and drain coolant to see if it will start in morning. Don't want to dump to much coin into this because of the miles.

From what I read a cracked (upper??) intake or gasket is the likely culprit with the coolant in cylinders. People are saying $1500 to $1700 at repair shops. (not putting that into this car). I see upper intakes with gaskets are available @ $120 (figure I can handle it, will buy manual if necessary)

Still would like to know if that also affects the no start issue we have been having. This car has been good to us but leary about starting down the money pit trail. No codes/lights on the dash. Engine had been missing some at idle last couple days. Anything else common on these with lots of hwy
miles?
Ken

[Sabrewings]

Here's a guide on how to replace the lower intake gaskets. Replacing the intake would be obvious. (sorry, but you'll have to register)

North American Impala Owners Association - Articles

[skidsteer]

Thanks, I'll reg and have a look at it. Compression is good, 210 being the lowest. Is the intake only plastic on the top 1/2 by the look of it? The gaskets on the lower intake to head should be ok? or not?

I'm putting the plugs back in after lunch and see if i can get it to start.

[Sabrewings]

The upper intake manifold (UIM) itself is plastic yes. There's a gasket (known as the UIM gasket, which is also plastic) between it and the lower intake manifold (LIM), which the LIM is aluminum if memory serves. The LIM gaskets sit between the heads and the LIM, which are plastic from the factory. The new and improved gaskets are made from metal, so they won't fail like the old ones.

[skidsteer]

Update
Drained rad, rolled it over a few times and put the spark plugs back in. Hydrolocked in about 2 turns. Pulled plugs rolled it again and this time no more hydro lock, but won't fire.

Removed cap on schrader valve on fuel rail and no pressure. I can hear the pump run though when I hit the key. Sounds ok. Removed fuel filter underneath, its not free flowing but I can't still blow through it. Hooked inlet back to the filter and activated the pump, a couple drops come out but thats it. Pump sounds ok but seem to have one 1 psi or so. Should it not be @40 psi?

I see new pumps are $215 to $350, Fuel Pump Assembly - 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix - AutoPartsWarehouse.com

And they have a inline fuel that is only $74
Fuel Pump - 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix - AutoPartsWarehouse.com
Not sure if if is a kit to fit in place of the fuel filter, or if you have to rewire and plump yourself. Anyone seen these or should I forget it a go intank?
thoughts?
Thanks
Ken

[fever42]

If you found a leak in uim and dont want to put the plastic back on i have every thing needed for this swap to aluminum uim & lim with needed adapters $200 + shipping

[scbird94]

Dont just replace the upper plenum gasket, the egr pipes kill those plastic plenums, which is why your motor is locked. dorman sells a updated plenum assembly with updated egr pipes for your lower intake, all for like 120 bucks wholesale. new upper plenum, update the egr pipe, new plugs she will fire right up. turn it over a few times with no plugs in it to get all that coolant out. parts availaible locally anywhere

[skidsteer]

It was a updated uim I puti on it, still plastaic consruction.

[McFly1999]

Same thing happened to me. There is a miracle in a can that I used. It's called Block Seal. It costs about $8. Follow the directions on the can... a few days later, you're back on the road.

Good luck.

[McFly1999]

Fuel pump rebuild kits are only $30 on ebay, if you need a fuel pump. The entire pump you are looking at for $215 is the entire assembly with the fuel guage. You only need the pump and some internal filters.

Here you go:
search.ebay.com/380313219423

Again, Good luck.

[McFly1999]

Looks like I brought a thread back from the dead... Well, I was actually needing it since I'm looking to replace my IM Gaskets. Getting an updated UIM is a good idea. Thank you.

[Z34Phoenix]

id find an L26 at a junk yard and swap its setup!