Missing Antifreeze

[JBMark33]

I replaced my LIM with a ported LIM and also replaced the LIM gaskets at the same time. I had no problems and nothing out of the ordinary after successfully getting everything back together.

That was on November 21st and 22nd, which was a little over 3 months ago.

Yesterday I noticed my heat not being very warm and my temp. guage had looked a little warmer than usual. I have a 180* T-stat in, and especially in the winter, the gauge never gets near 200.

When I got home, my coolant reservoir was empty. I proceeded to take off the radiator cap and dump 1/4 gallon directly in. Then, I filled up the reservoir and I had trouble getting the air out of the upper radiator hose. After a short 5 mile drive the upper radiator hose was not pressurized, although the temp gauge is now in the correct position.

I looked all over, especially the areas I worked on, but I can not find where the coolant is going. I also checked the oil, thankfully it's not milky.

[grandprix104]

I had a heck of a time getting the lower coolant elbow to seat properly. It is hard to see it leaking but if you feel underneath you may find it is wet.

[JBMark33]

By lower, do you mean the elbow closest to the firewall or the one closest to the front of the vehicle?

I checked them both and I thought they were dry, but I can check again tonight.

[grandprix104]

Closer to the firewall.

[JBMark33]

Yeah, that one is really hard to see around the tensioner assembly, but it was dry yesterday.

[JBMark33]

My findings.

http://s201.photobucket.com/albums/aa21 ... C02744.jpg

http://s201.photobucket.com/albums/aa21 ... C02745.jpg

http://s201.photobucket.com/albums/aa21 ... C02752.jpg

http://s201.photobucket.com/albums/aa21 ... C02756.jpg

[00Beast]

Did you do the UIM while you had it all torn apart? Looks like it's time to replace the UIM.

[JBMark33]

Yeah, definitely looks like the UIM is leaking. The coolant around the thermostat housing i believe dripped down from the UIM gasket.

Can I get the UIM Gasket separate from the Manifold itself?

[00Beast]

You need to replace your whole UIM. It's only $150, and I'd be willing to bet it's the part that's leaking. Get the APN kit with the reduced diameter stove pipe and sleeved EGR port.

[grandprix104]

I would recommend getting the APN kit as well. It is the best bang for the buck if you've got the $$.

However, if you are in a pinch, my old stock one is in good condition and not damaged. I would part with it for $20+ship and send you a reduced 5/8" stovepipe. Not the ideal solution, but it would work. You would also need the UIM gasket for ~$20, the injector orings for ~$10 online, and the TB gasket. THey also sell a sleeve/repair kit for the UIM. If you're interested let me know. I have a hard time throwing things away that *could* be useful. LOL

Good Luck

[JBMark33]

Car started misfiring on my way to school today. Popped a code of P0300. Went to start the car again an hour later and it won't start. The starter engages, but won't turn the crank. I assume coolant is in my cylinders. What can I do?

[00Beast]

Have it towed home and pull the plugs, and turn it over, and have the UIM replaced immediately. I'm surprised you didn't replace that when you did the LIM gaskets. This could be very bad if not handled the right way. Turning it over w/ the plugs out expels the coolant, and you need to drain the coolant immediately. Just what you want to hear when it's 30 degrees out, I suppose, huh?

[Archon]

Drain the oil out of the crankcase, and then follow this from Bill Buttermore's techinfo article on replacing the gaskets.

Spilled coolant in engine If, while removing the LIM, you spill coolant into the crankcase (the rectangular area between the heads), remove the drain plug from the oil pan and drain the oil. With the drain plug out, pour at least a couple of quarts of oil into the crankcase across all of the parts between the heads to flush the coolant out of the crankcase. If you spill coolant into an intake port on a cylinder head, first try to remove the coolant with a wet-vac or by absorbing it with a rag. This should account for most of the liquid if the intake valve was closed. Next, remove the spark plug from that cylinder, and rotate the engine by turning it by hand to expel any coolant that might have drained into that cylinder if the intake valve was open or not tightly closed. This is necessary to prevent a possible hydro-lock condition that could result in a bent connecting rod when you attempt to start the engine. Replace the spark plug when you are sure any standing coolant has been removed.

[JBMark33]

I got it running for a day after I replaced the UIM Gasket. Still having the same problem though.

How many different ways could coolant get here?


http://s201.photobucket.com/albums/aa21 ... C02761.jpg

http://s201.photobucket.com/albums/aa21 ... C02762.jpg

[00Beast]

Dude, you need to replace the Upper Intake Manifold itself, not the gasket. It's the manifold that's leaking, not the gasket. More than likely from the EGR stovepipe area. Get the APN UIM kit, and replace the manifold.

[JBMark33]

Where is the best/cheapest place to buy the new manifold?

[00Beast]

APN makes a kit, containing pretty much everything you need. I don't have a link, as I haven't researched it, as I have the Aluminum M90 as my UIM, but I know the APN kit is the best. It has a steel sleve in the EGR stovepipe port, so the pipe doesn't melt the manifold and cause it to leak, as well as a reduced diameter stovepipe.

[grandprix104]

Those Pics =

The manifold is sold here: http://www.ineedparts.com/auto-parts/in ... 17806.html I bought it and reccomend it. You will also need new o-rings for the injectors sold at dealerships for $20. GMPD probably has them cheaper. The ones in the kit don't fit the new cars. If that is too much $$ re-read my offer above.

Good Luck, that is one hell of a mess! Sorry man.

[JBMark33]

Those Pics =

The manifold is sold here: http://www.ineedparts.com/auto-parts/in ... 17806.html I bought it and reccomend it. You will also need new o-rings for the injectors sold at dealerships for $20. GMPD probably has them cheaper. The ones in the kit don't fit the new cars. If that is too much $$ re-read my offer above.

Good Luck, that is one hell of a mess! Sorry man.

I may be in the market for your used one. What kind of shape is it in? What would shipping be to area code: 16412?

How does the reduced diameter stove pipe work if the size is standard in the LIM?

[00Beast]

O-rings are about $10 at a parts store. You'd need a different diameter stovepipe. I'd get the APN kit. It has all you need, and you'll never have to worry about it again.