Quote Originally Posted by Robotech View Post
To answer one of your original questions, I know my Grand Prix GTP (97) has what GM calls a "Limp-Home mode". If the coolant temperature reaches critical levels, the computer will shut off half the cylindars for a while to let the others cool off. After a while the computer will turn the dead cylindars back on and turn off the ones that had been running to cool them off. You don't want to drive more than 50 miles in this condition or bad things happen. Obviously there is a serious reduction in power when in limp-home mode. a

Sounds like you did suffer damage though as you have coolant in the oil. You could have damage to head or LIM gaskets or even cracked heads. Run a compression check if you haven't already and hopefully you'll find the issue there. If not, it may be time to tear down the engine to find the problem.

Next time, when the SES light comes on and you see the temp rising, pull over and let the engine cool off. It's much cheaper that way. Also, a flashing SES light always means that you have a missfire.
Thanks for the info, still havent done a compression test on it yet, a few mobile mechanics say it sounds like a head gasket, and from there expierience with 3800's it probobly is, and the mechanics at local shops say it sounds like lim gasket and the 3800's rarely have head or head gasket problems. so I will narrow it down with the compression tes next weekend. would of been sooner but I have two other vehicles, and low funds, so no hurry, can't wait though, I miss the GP.