Coolant loss question for 1995 SE 3.8L non supercharged

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Brutus
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Coolant loss question for 1995 SE 3.8L non supercharged

Post by Brutus »

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... :banghead:
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94SilverSSEi
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Re: Coolant loss question for 1995 SE 3.8L non supercharged

Post by 94SilverSSEi »

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

nos4blood70 wrote:Literally, cars are drugs.
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J Wikoff
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Re: Coolant loss question for 1995 SE 3.8L non supercharged

Post by J Wikoff »

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.
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94SilverSSEi
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Re: Coolant loss question for 1995 SE 3.8L non supercharged

Post by 94SilverSSEi »

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

nos4blood70 wrote:Literally, cars are drugs.
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renchjeep
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Re: Coolant loss question for 1995 SE 3.8L non supercharged

Post by renchjeep »

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?
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Brutus
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Re: Coolant loss question for 1995 SE 3.8L non supercharged

Post by Brutus »

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)
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