Thread: 136,000 miles, losing coolant, intake manifold gaskets shot from DEX COOL ???????

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 20 of 27
  1. #1 136,000 miles, losing coolant, intake manifold gaskets shot from DEX COOL ??????? 
    SE Level Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Hamburg, IL
    Posts
    41
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    2002 2 door GTP Owned this car since it was almost new....... Not one problem with it. Only one recall, front valve cover gasket..... Plan on driving it till it falls apart. Just noticed in the last two days its losing coolant..... I have to replace the rear valve cover gasket on it anyway so I'm guessing new intake manifold gaskets , upper and lower would be a good idea...... Ive read so many horror stores about this junk ass dex cool ruining gaskets. Car runs like a dream, and no antifreeze in oil..... What should I use for coolant in this 3.8L after I flush this junk ass dex cool out? Reg green or yellow? Are the intake manifold bolts blind on these cars or do they protrude in to coolant passages? I haven't looked real close at it yet but its losing about 1 1/2 quarts of oil between changes , and IT IS NOT burning it. Exhaust is clean.... Just wanted some input from you guys that know 3.8's well...... I'm more of a diesel guy myself

    Thanks
    Last edited by Skillet; 02-10-2011 at 10:18 AM.
    Reply With Quote  
     

  2. #2 Re: 136,000 miles, losing coolant, intake manifold gaskets shot from DEX COOL ??????? 
    Awaiting Confirmation
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    aowdnawi
    Posts
    23,292
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    1
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    was the coolant ever changed?

    If not, thats why the dex ate your gasket.

    Put an aluminum gasket in and change the coolant like you're supposed to.

    Dex is fine if you change it and bleed it properly.

    If you dont want to run it, try prestone all makes long life coolant.
    Reply With Quote  
     

  3. #3 Re: 136,000 miles, losing coolant, intake manifold gaskets shot from DEX COOL ??????? 
    SE Level Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Hamburg, IL
    Posts
    41
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    I changed it at 100,000. No problems then... I dunno. What do you mean bleed it? Bleed the air out of the system? Is it a ***** to do intake gaskets or not bad at all?
    Reply With Quote  
     

  4. #4 Re: 136,000 miles, losing coolant, intake manifold gaskets shot from DEX COOL ??????? 
    Awaiting Confirmation
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    aowdnawi
    Posts
    23,292
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    1
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    most people seem to agree that every two years is the ideal time to replace your coolant, regardless of if its long life or not.

    Even if you followed GM's schedule, it should have been done twice so far. That is assuming its an 01 or older.

    Yes, bleeding the air out of the coolant system.

    Intake gasket is a piece of cake really.

    10 mm deep + 6" extension and have at it.
    Reply With Quote  
     

  5. #5 Re: 136,000 miles, losing coolant, intake manifold gaskets shot from DEX COOL ??????? 
    SE Level Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Hamburg, IL
    Posts
    41
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Cool, thanks for the help.... It'll be a breese then.. Thread sealant on the intake bolts work for sealing them as well? What gasket set you recommend? Fel Pro or GM direct ?
    Reply With Quote  
     

  6. #6 Re: 136,000 miles, losing coolant, intake manifold gaskets shot from DEX COOL ??????? 
    Awaiting Confirmation
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    aowdnawi
    Posts
    23,292
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    1
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    i prefer the Felpro one after seeing both.

    Thread sealant is a good idea.

    Make sure you put the dabs of RTV in the four corners where the LIM meets with the orange side pieces and the main gasket.

    Also a good idea to drain the coolant before taking the LIM off to avoid letting coolant fall down there.
    Reply With Quote  
     

  7. #7 Re: 136,000 miles, losing coolant, intake manifold gaskets shot from DEX COOL ??????? 
    Banned
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Location
    Mansfield, Ohio
    Posts
    745
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Quote Originally Posted by matt5112 View Post
    i prefer the Felpro one after seeing both.

    Thread sealant is a good idea.

    Make sure you put the dabs of RTV in the four corners where the LIM meets with the orange side pieces and the main gasket.

    Also a good idea to drain the coolant before taking the LIM off to avoid letting coolant fall down there.
    Advance told me they don't carry metal felpro.... was it someone not knowing what they're talking about? I was going to just buy a zzp gasket set but I remember reading that someone said their intake gaskets don't fit as well as gm or others.
    Reply With Quote  
     

  8. #8 Re: 136,000 miles, losing coolant, intake manifold gaskets shot from DEX COOL ??????? 
    Awaiting Confirmation
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    aowdnawi
    Posts
    23,292
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    1
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    LOL wow....

    Felpro perma dry plus second design is metal.

    FEL-PRO Part # MS98014T
    Reply With Quote  
     

  9. #9 Re: 136,000 miles, losing coolant, intake manifold gaskets shot from DEX COOL ??????? 
    SE Level Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Hamburg, IL
    Posts
    41
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Yea i seen that second design notation on NAPA's website. I know what you mean on the four corners.... Do that all the time on our small block chevy's..... Most fel pro's never come with directions.....Im sure the sealing beads around the intake ports seal fine but what about the water passages? Leave them alone or use a very thin layer of silicone? I hate using silicone when there's a gasket........ Thats what the gasket is for LOL
    Reply With Quote  
     

  10. #10 Re: 136,000 miles, losing coolant, intake manifold gaskets shot from DEX COOL ??????? 
    Turbo is the way to go. BillBoost37's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    W Spfld
    Posts
    26,815
    Thanks (Received)
    53
    Likes (Received)
    90
    Dislikes (Received)
    1
    FWIW, It's not the coolant, it's the poor gasket material etc. But that's kinda moot and I dunno why the heck I'm bothering to post except to say..go ahead and use Dex when you refill.
    I drink..so consider that when reading my posts.

    2010 Audi A6 Dual IC's
    Reply With Quote  
     

  11. #11 Re: 136,000 miles, losing coolant, intake manifold gaskets shot from DEX COOL ??????? 
    Awaiting Confirmation
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    aowdnawi
    Posts
    23,292
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    1
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    it'll come with instructions on where to use the RTV.

    Just in one spot where the main gasket meets the end pieces.

    Make sure its that part number I gave you OR permadry plus, second design.

    Its gotta be the plus else it'll be plastic.
    Reply With Quote  
     

  12. #12 Re: 136,000 miles, losing coolant, intake manifold gaskets shot from DEX COOL ??????? 
    SE Level Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Hamburg, IL
    Posts
    41
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    LOL, 10-4 sounds good. Yea eff that plastic.... Metal is sooooo much better...... Im hoping this cures the oil loss problem and the just recent coolant loss problem..... It doesn't burn oil so this has to be it
    Reply With Quote  
     

  13. #13 Re: 136,000 miles, losing coolant, intake manifold gaskets shot from DEX COOL ??????? 
    Awaiting Confirmation
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    aowdnawi
    Posts
    23,292
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    1
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    oil loss?

    Generally not the LIM gasket.

    Coolant yes, not oil. For the most part at least.

    Unless its seeping out the sides.
    Reply With Quote  
     

  14. #14 Re: 136,000 miles, losing coolant, intake manifold gaskets shot from DEX COOL ??????? 
    SE Level Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Hamburg, IL
    Posts
    41
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    I would imagine most of it is going out the valve cover
    Reply With Quote  
     

  15. #15 Re: 136,000 miles, losing coolant, intake manifold gaskets shot from DEX COOL ??????? 
    Awaiting Confirmation
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    aowdnawi
    Posts
    23,292
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    1
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    I guess it'd help if i actually read your first post

    Its common.

    get the grommets w/ gaskets and you'll be fine.
    Reply With Quote  
     

  16. #16 Re: 136,000 miles, losing coolant, intake manifold gaskets shot from DEX COOL ??????? 
    SE Level Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Hamburg, IL
    Posts
    41
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Thanks again for the help...... Where could I get two front door speakers for a 2 door GTP. Pretty sure they are delco, I dont see bose anywhere on the radio..... If not speakers, part numbers would work.. Been searching the net with no finds
    Reply With Quote  
     

  17. #17 Re: 136,000 miles, losing coolant, intake manifold gaskets shot from DEX COOL ??????? 
    GT Level Member a3gtp's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Salter Path, NC
    Posts
    164
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Quote Originally Posted by Skillet View Post
    Thanks again for the help...... Where could I get two front door speakers for a 2 door GTP. Pretty sure they are delco, I dont see bose anywhere on the radio..... If not speakers, part numbers would work.. Been searching the net with no finds
    The amount you'll pay for those oem garbage speakers would be better spent on a set of descent 5.25 components or 6.5 if you make an mdf adapter. Just saying.
    If they catch you in the back seat trying to pick her locks they're gonna send you back to mother in a cardboard box.
    Reply With Quote  
     

  18. #18 Re: 136,000 miles, losing coolant, intake manifold gaskets shot from DEX COOL ??????? 
    SE Level Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Hamburg, IL
    Posts
    41
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Yea i know. I got a good system in my truck.. This is just my work car..... Hook the oem's and go
    Reply With Quote  
     

  19. #19 Re: 136,000 miles, losing coolant, intake manifold gaskets shot from DEX COOL ??????? 
    SE Level Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Hamburg, IL
    Posts
    41
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    FML !!!! Only thing that was low was the coolant tank..... I brought the car up to operating temp and the radiator was full...... so I just filled the coolant tank with 50/50..... What the hell made that low coolant light come on then?
    Reply With Quote  
     

  20. #20 Re: 136,000 miles, losing coolant, intake manifold gaskets shot from DEX COOL ??????? 
    Turbo is the way to go. BillBoost37's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    W Spfld
    Posts
    26,815
    Thanks (Received)
    53
    Likes (Received)
    90
    Dislikes (Received)
    1
    FYL because you posted about oil and coolant loss that doesn't exist? Is there something wrong with you, most would be very happy.

    If you never check the coolant, then it's possibly just normal evaporation over a few years, maybe a leak in the bottom of the bottle. Fill and keep an eye on it.
    I drink..so consider that when reading my posts.

    2010 Audi A6 Dual IC's
    Reply With Quote  
     

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. Losing Coolant from Overflow tank
    By Suaveat69 in forum 3.8L V6 Supercharged (L67)(L32)
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 07-12-2010, 10:00 PM
  2. Exhaust Manifold Gaskets
    By bbptech in forum 3.8L V6 Supercharged (L67)(L32)
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 06-05-2010, 12:22 AM
  3. Intake gaskets
    By HumanWeapon in forum General Tech Discussion
    Replies: 12
    Last Post: 11-06-2009, 02:52 PM
  4. intake gaskets
    By dpmeeks in forum 3.8L V6 Naturally Aspirated (L36)(L26)
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 05-09-2009, 01:24 PM
  5. Intake manifold
    By joesforspeed in forum 3.8L V6 Supercharged (L67)(L32)
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 10-25-2008, 12:15 PM
Tags for this Thread

View Tag Cloud

Bookmarks
Bookmarks
Posting Permissions
  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •