Quote Originally Posted by SlowNA06 View Post
Thought it was a six hour job. Regardless, still a chunk of change.

As for the coolant, you should have 50% water, 50% coolant. It doesn't matter what's in the overflow tank - it matters what's in the radiator.
Change the oil, get a nice filter, change every 3-5,000 miles and put in copper spark plugs (for cheapness) and change them every 10-15,000 miles since burning coolant will eventually ruin spark plugs. Keep an eye on things. Unless the gasket is catastrophically borked, the vehicle will operate. When it's catastrophically borked, the engine may hydrolock. So... when things get bad and oil gets milkshake-y, that's the razor's edge you'll be driving on. Try not to let it get that bad. I'm by no means an expert, but unless you're seeing major issues yet, I'd say you might have 30,000 miles on the clock before d-day. Just... do the gasket job before then.
I fully intend to get the LIM changed when i get my career up and running and i start making some money. right now im about to finish school and will be moving to a different state.

So the GM mechanic did say i should have coolant mixed with water in the radiator / overflow. However i mean to be in cold snowy weather by next winter. will having that water with the coolant damage the car if im in cold temperatures? like 15 - 30 degrees F?

And when i get my coolant flushed i should tell them i want half water half green coolant?

just trying to do my research before i make a move

i think i may have oil in the coolant, but not coolant in the oil. i will confirm this when i can