Thread: newb and sol at the moment

So I have a 1998 gp se 3800 v6 non supercharged. Just had my lower intake gaskets replaced and the upper intake plenum with gasket and o rings replaced. Now I got it back and there was coolant in my oil. I only drove from the shop to my house and then to a dealership before the oil was then changed. Probably about 45 miles or less before it was changed. Got the oil changed and drove home. Checked the oil the next day before going to the parts store to check what my engine light was on for and I didn't notice any coolant on the dipstick. Got to the parts store and I had a system running lean code p0171 bank 1. Now I knew both my vacuum lines that split from the throttle body were snapped so I needed to get a new line for both. Luckily the same dealership I was at had the right part in hand so I replaced that right after buying it. Then after heading back into town I noticed I was loosing power when I'd accelerate. I even noticed the same thing when I picked the car up after the intake job was done. But this time was different I was trying to get from 40-45mph up to 55mph and the rpms shot way up and the engine died. As I rolled off the highway I tried turning it over again to see if it would start up again and it did but ran really rough so I shut it off right away. Popped the hood to see smoke coming off the front exhaust manifold where it attaches to the engine block. Couldn't see the back side of the engine though. Any idea what happened. Oh also the mechanic was dumb enough to what looked like he refilled my coolant reservoir with straight up water, I checked my levels and the hose that's connected to the cap for the over flow was froze down in the bottle and wouldn't budge. It's cold in good old Minnesota at this time so could it be water got in my engine block and it cracked from the temp. If I need a new engine is anyone in MN close enough to elk river to help me out. I don't have much for cash as the mechanic I just had work on my car take every last nickel and dime I have and because of how long it took for my car to get fixed I don't have a job either. Took the guy over a week to do the job and I used to deliver pizzas for a living.

It's was poorly done, the actual mechanic is looking at it now. The boy he had work on it before has been fired. Heck I was planning on doing the work myself but not when its -20 in my garage its a little difficult to hold a wrench. But as far as the knock no I didn't hear anything like that. I thought maybe I burnt a cylinder with it running lean but not to sure. Gonna go talk to my mechanic today and see what's up though.

That's what I did. But my garage is huge. We have a cxr and some other Honda in the way plus all our lawn equipment. Lol my Pontiac is a little big to fit fully in the garage and shut the door with all the other s*** in it so the heat was just flowing back outside. For a 4 stall garage its pretty packed lol.

To scottydoggs as my assumptions were correct my head gasket had been leaking on my 6th cylinder for quite some time. though what I dont understand is how and why is it that now I have complete failure with it. I am thinking though with the shoty job that they did in the first place is what really did in my head gaskets. As for txslow6 yeah i am thinking his mechanic might of done something wrong all together when working on the car. FFDP Wisconsin? or N/S Dakota? Drove a little into Wisconsin a month ago just for $h1t$ and giggles.

ha nice didnt think anyone would be that close. any good places you got for decently priced parts. After I get my engine fixed I will be working on a project build for my car. Basically rebuilding an engine myself, been wanting to do something like this ever since I bought her over 1.5 years ago.

Originally Posted by slick2500

Who told you you had a bad head gasket? Was it the same mechanic that did your lims?

lol yes it is, only I told him when he did my li and ui manifolds. I asked him to check my head gaskets too because the car has over 180000 miles on her and I knew they were never changed and I had noticed oil spray on that side of the engine in the first place when I had first brought the car to this "mechanic". No when I told him to compression check my cylinders he says "oh your head gaskets should be ok and not to worry about them failing." Well I'm not a mechanic and not gm certified or anything but I know when somethings wrong with my car. Been reading up on gp's ever since I bought my 98 in april 2012. So for the most part I have an understanding of issues retaining to the engine. Just now learned about the heater hose fittings and how the plastic stocks and after market are garbage because they fall apart clogging up the cooling system and to go with the metal aluminum ones. So I still have lots to learn.