Greetings,
Today I noticed that the coolant recovery tank was empty on my 1995 SE w/ 3.8 non super charged Bonneville.

I checked the radiator and noticed it was about 3 inches low (no dexcool here, just green coolant). Took about 2-3 quarts to fill it.

I did notice a little wetness near the water pump, but that could have been just oil/dirt.

This car has 171xxx miles on it. I have only had it a month, so I do not know the history of it.

I did not notice any wetness near exhaust pipe.

No coolant on garage floor.

No coolant on/around exterior of radiator.

When I checked PCV valve, it did look a little milky (oil/water mix).

So far, I haven't noticed any other physical coolant leaks.

I've read here of the intake and gasket problems, but is it typical for the lower gasket/intake to fail like this?

Suggestions? I really don't want to do the intake because I've never done one. It sounds like a lot of work.

Does this really sound like an intake failing?

I still haven't gotten the airmix actuator replaced/fixed...now this...

_________________
1992 SE green (sold)
1993 SSEi red (sold)
1995 SE black (sold)
1995 SSEi gold (sold)
2000 SSEi black (sold)
2000 SSEi green (sold)
1995 SE red (sold)
2000 SSEi med red metallic

If your coolant level is going down and you can't find it anywhere your only options are:

1.) It is dripping on the exhaust and burning off as quick as it drips

2.) It is going inside the engine. Most likely intake gaskets.

_________________
Clay
1997.2 40th SLE-138k
1968 Bonneville 400ci w/TH-400-40k
1999 GMC Suburban SLT-191k
2005 Escalade 253k-GINA

Yeah, the intake gaskets or the upper intake EGR passage are pretty likely. Is there any whitish stuff on the underside of the oil fill cap? There's a pretty good article in Techinfo about replacing the lower intake gaskets and upper intake.

_________________

WHITE WHINE - 1992 SSE Supercharged 236.26 ci (.040 Over) 15.090 at 90.2 MPH on old engine w/ slipping trans & melted O2 sensor - Gen 3 M62 and matching TB, Gen 2 Pully, Zillamotorsports Ported LIM, YT 1.72 Roller Rockers, SII FPR & Injectors, Hypertech Thermomaster chip w/ 160 Thermo, TransGo Shift Kit, Infinity/Pioneer Speakers & a 10" Alpine Type R Sub, all the watts, 140 amp Alternator, Ricepipe CAI w/ heatshield, Pilot Angel Eye Foglights, Clear Corners, '02 17" Chrome Bent 5's, Magnaflow F-Body Muffler and Hi-flo Cat, Ceramic Coated Ported Exhaust Manifolds, Fan Override, Monroe Reflex struts, red calipers
2009 G8 GT - Sport Red Metallic, loaded, SOLO Axlebacks, Rotofab Intake, Tuned, autodim mirror, removed intake manifold cover, HSV GTS triple gauge pod, two tone red-hot shifter and HSV SuperSport steering wheel, GXP rear sway bar and diffuser, 3.45 diff and various Camaro suspension bits, LED Taillights

If the intake gaskets fail, will there for sure be that whitish stuff under the oil cap?

Or can they still be bad and not have that happen?

_________________
Clay
1997.2 40th SLE-138k
1968 Bonneville 400ci w/TH-400-40k
1999 GMC Suburban SLT-191k
2005 Escalade 253k-GINA

Keep an eye on the level for a while, and note how slowly/quickly it drops. May just be a seeping water pump or other non-intake item. Maybe try a pressure test on the cooling system?

On my car , the original poster, there was just a trace under
the oil cap. The pcv valve was pretty gooped up though.

_________________
1992 SE green (sold)
1993 SSEi red (sold)
1995 SE black (sold)
1995 SSEi gold (sold)
2000 SSEi black (sold)
2000 SSEi green (sold)
1995 SE red (sold)
2000 SSEi med red metallic