Even better...I hadn't checked for it yet. Thanks!

Definitely will do.

You made my day. Thanks again!

Sweet. So it's not like my friend's experience with the 96 Bonneville, where everything seemed to be in the way of getting to the belt? That was what I was concerned about...getting the right tools will be no problem. Thanks!

I have to replace the serpentine belt on my 2002 SSEi, and I'd rather not pay someone else to do it if I can handle it. I know it can be a real pain on some models though, and I'm not sure I'm up to the task of taking off engine parts to get to it or anything like that. How big a deal is it really?

Thanks, I will ask them to.

Thanks guys.

Well, I talked to my father-in-law, and he isn't comfortable trying to do it. I guess we're going with the shop that quoted us $500, and I'm going to specifically ask what part they are using and make sure it is the aluminum. I definitely don't want to be doing this again later. Os there anything ...

Thanks for the tip. They said they couldn't find any coolant anywhere, and the reservoir was still full, so that's a good sign. Sounds like we caught the failure right away, before it got bad.

Fair enough...lol. I am just afraid of doing it myself, but I'll wait to hear what my father-in-law has to say about it. If it is something he is reasonably certain he can do, we might give it a try.

Just got the final word...it is definitely the lower intake gasket, but it is just leaking, and not a big deal. No engine damage has been done, but we're still going to get it fixed right away. My best quote for the work was $500, which sounds pretty decent to me. What do you guys think?

Thanks guys. The car is in the shop now (has been since 5:00), so I can't drain the oil, but hopefully they will take care of that. They took a quick look at it before they closed for the day and said that is could be the lower intake gaskets, but they wouldn't get to really look into it until ...

So, I finally had my first serious issue with Aeraeik, the 2002 SSEi I have had for two and a half years now. It has been sputtering at start up lately, and the check engine light came on, but we haven't been able to get it in for service. Today it started spewing white smoke from the tailpipe ...

Thanks! Good to see you...it's been a while.

...and everything moves on you! Thank God you all didn't just scatter to the winds. I need the "team" to turn to when things go wrong with Aeraeik II (not that I have had any issues lately *crossing fingers*). I'll follow you guys wherever you go...and then if my past experience is any indication ...