2007 grand prix concerns, headliner and noise

**hitnf** · 09-11-2011

We recently got a 2007 Grand Prix to replace the Olds Cutlass Supreme...

I was going over it today, and notice that in the rear headliner, next to each rear door window and handle, looks like it has stains, like one big patch. Is it common for water to leak through here?

I could only think that it would leak through the that roof rail thing... I hope not, I had enough trouble with the Olds 7 different water leaks, and rusting out strut mounts in back. I did check the ones in the GP look fine.

Another thing I noticed that when turning left slowly, there seems to be a rubbing noise from the front left... or just the front. Otherwise the car runs well...

Thank you!

**Couch** · 09-12-2011

water leak usually means it's from the glass. but to know whats going on for sure means pulling the headliner down and testing with a hose....fyi that is something i would rather pay somebody to look at. headliners SUCK

as for the rubbing noise, driveability is hard to diagnose without sounds and feel. i would see if a local mechanic could check it out. if it was actually rubbing on something might be one of your fender liners is hanging low but wouldn't know till i saw it.

hope this helps

**hitnf** · 09-13-2011

sSo here is a picture of what I see, with the stain... It does line up with the roof rack.. we had quite a bit of rain today, some heavy pours, and yesterday, on and off, and so far the headliner seems dry.... I'm thinking if water was still leaking it would wet it... or drain off? I placed paper towels in the c pillars plastic trim pieces... should I bend gonna try not to damage the headliner and place towels in there?

Thanks a lot.. even for the initial reply!

**Couch** · 09-14-2011

maybe the previous owner/dealership left the window open a crack too and there is no problem. if it was leaking yesterday should have at least made it damp to the touch.

**SlowNA06** · 09-14-2011

I find that a lot of people leave the windows and sunroof open in the rain at least once. If it's dry, just clean the stain and call it a day.

**hitnf** · 09-14-2011

Hi thanks Couch and SlowNA06.. why slow? hehe

Ya I guess so, its also on the passenger side rear headliner too....

I have some other concerns perhaps I'm being too detailed about it...

In the coolant reservoir, its caked along the sides, but the coolant itself looks fine... and under the rad cap there is a bit of gunk.... normal? we're going to flush it next year after the powertrain warranty is over, and then it will be 5 years....

- also under the oil cap, seems to be brownish dirt like... I'm thinking condensation...., but once i unscrew the big tube, the wet oil looks fine,

When driving slow speeds and turning there is a noise... not loud, like a hum.. as in tire rotation... I know the dealer resurfaced the discs...

Let me know, getting concerned about it..

Thanks a bunch...

**SlowNA06** · 09-14-2011

Originally Posted by hitnf

In the coolant reservoir, its caked along the sides, but the coolant itself looks fine... and under the rad cap there is a bit of gunk.... normal?
- also under the oil cap, seems to be brownish dirt

Hey, you're the first guy post-2005 I've heard of with a possible bad lower intake manifold gasket (LIM). There's plenty of info on that here - do a search. Basically, if you don't eventually take care of it, it'll take care of your engine. Noticeable symptoms include Old Bay Seasoning in radiator/valve covers, coolant won't stay full, white/sweet smoke from exhaust, and potassium in the oil if you get it tested. While you've still got a warranty, get that fixed... it's otherwise like $800+ for a shop to do. Or do it yourself. There's a step-by-step video on the forum somewhere... search, like I said. Until you fix it, clean that stuff up, flush the coolant (even though it hasn't been five years - it's a cheap band-aid), and make sure to keep it full.

**hitnf** · 09-15-2011

Hi there,

I hope its not the LIM, shouldn't be..... I did call the dealership today and they said they did the 150 pt inspection etc... I said they should have picked this up... but I guess not.. here are some photos

oil cap

rad cap 1

Rap cap 2

reservoir

I do not notice any white smoke yet, oil looks fine... the line with the arrow points to the cold mark?
I think I forgot to close the reservoir cap fully last time... I checked... but its in the same state..

I read up that at the factory they use stop leak pellets... I don't think the coolant has been flushed at all...

Otherwise it warms up fairly quick and the temp gage stays in the middle, may go a little bit up in heavy traffic...

Thanks.

**SlowNA06** · 09-16-2011

Take the bottle off and clean it out... brake cleaner or engine degreaser might be the trick. Clean the oil cap, too. See if the funk comes back.

**hitnf** · 09-17-2011

Hi SlowNA06,

So we cleaned out the bottle today, and well after closer inspection, looks like it flowed from the tube, and caked more in the front, and the rear (firewall) part of the bottle.. I think it could have looked like it overflowed.... overboiled at some point?

After reading online, things that can do this, t-stat, headgasket, or fans not working... but wouldn't the dealer have cleaned this up... or even checked with their 150 point optimum inspection...
I also noticed lots of sediment in the coolant reservoir...

I opened the radiator cap, and noticed that the level needed to be topped off, I did park on a slope, with the front facing forward....

we've driven in heavy traffic, and the temp seemed fine, maybe went a little up, from regular operating temperature...

I don't think this is good overall....

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