1992-1999 Series I L27 (1992-1994 SE,SLE, SSE) & Series II L36 (1995-1999 SE, SSE, SLE) and common problems for the Series I and II L67 (all supercharged models 92-99) Including Olds 88's, Olds LSS's and Buick Lesabres Please use General Chat for non-mechanical issues, and Performance and Brainstorming for improvements.

Guess it was bound to happen sooner or later...LIM

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Old 01-06-2006, 04:41 PM
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Default Guess it was bound to happen sooner or later...LIM

For the past few weeks, my low coolant light has been coming on as well as the SES light. I would check the coolant just about everyday and all was fine. I checked for leaks...didn't appear to be any. So, I thought maybe it was the coolant level module on the back of the radiator. Before I had the chance to buy it, i started smelling coolant everytime I shut my car off. Since I work for a GM dealership, I brought it into work the next day and had one of the techs look it over. Lower intake gaskets took a crap. Luckily, all I have to do is pay for parts...and I get a discount....so I'm not too stressed.
My concern is, my Bonnie is my only mode of transportation and she'* not getting fixed til next Thursday. Am I doing alot of harm by continuing to drive? The oil looks fine, and the coolant level is still okay, so I guess the leak isn't horrible....yet.
Old 01-06-2006, 05:29 PM
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It is a chance. Sounds like your leak is external since you are smelling it. If that'* true the only thing you are hurting is the environment wherever you spill coolant.

If the leak is internal..then damage could get worse.
Old 01-07-2006, 01:14 PM
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I don't think the leak is internal yet...yet being the key word I suppose.
When the tech was looking things over, we both noticed some coolant laying on top of the manifold, just behind the front valve cover. My car is still running just fine...and I'm keeping my eye on the oil.
Thanks Bill....I can always count on you for advice/help
Old 01-07-2006, 02:15 PM
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LIM gaskets can be done easily in a day. Get OEM or Fel-Pro for all your gaskets.
Old 01-17-2006, 06:07 PM
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Well, the gaskets were replaced this past saturday. I used the Felpro set. While everything was apart, I cleaned the TB real well, replaced the T-stat, coolant temp sensor and of course changed the oil.
My car ran great for the first 2 days...smooth as can be. No more coolant smell.
Now today leaving work, my car didn't start very well. Once I had it started, it started ticking, and sputtering. At idle the oil pressure is just above the red zone....the dangerous red zone. Usually, at idle the oil pressure is above 40. Driving, the car ticks even louder and there is this noise...almost undescribable....like a chugging. The faster I accelerate, the faster the noises get. Now, I'm worried.
The low coolant light came back on, as well as the SES light. I will try and get any codes read tomorrow at work...but it'* the ticking and low oil pressure that has me concerned. Oh, I did check the oil...and the level on the dipstick was fine.
What could have went wrong??
Old 01-17-2006, 06:18 PM
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Does the oil look a little milky? How'* your coolant level?
Old 01-17-2006, 06:49 PM
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Coolant level seems fine. The oil was changed after everything was put back together. When I checked it today, it looked okay. The SC gasket was also replaced. The little o rings under the SC were re-used. One of them didn't wat to stay in place....but they seemed okay.
I don't think I still have a coolant leak...I'm thinking the coolant level module on the back of the radiator may be bad. But that doesn't explain this sudden ticking/chugging noise.
I'm scratching my brain here.....
Performance wise, my car seems okay....except for the low oil pressure.
I don't know.
Old 01-17-2006, 08:33 PM
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If it wasn't for the ticking, I'd say you had a bad sender.

I wouldn't drive it until I knew for sure. Using a mechanical gauge in the driveway might be a good idea.
Old 01-17-2006, 09:46 PM
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Fuel sender you mean?
What would cause my car to suddenly lose oil pressure? Can an oil pump suddenly fail?
Is it the injectors ticking away....the fuel rail was removed....and after it was put back on, we ran an injector servie....one of GM'* "things". Maybe that did more harm than good. We also put in an oil additive.
It just seems weird....my car was runnin so well....then BOOM.
After the lower intake was removed, there was alot of residue left over from the old gaskets. Could that have damaged the intake valves?
I'm no expert here.....just pulling at anything that comes to mind.


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