I recently took my '96 in to have the upper intake manifold replaced. This would be the second time this has happened. It had all the symptoms, and the mechanic confirmed that it was the manifold. It was replaced, but a few days later I noticed coolant leaking. I didn't drive it for fear that it was the manifold again (didn't want to damage engine) so I took it back to the shop as it was under warranty.

This time, the mechanic said an elbow was cracked that was leaking coolant. He fixed that. About 4, maybe 500 miles later, and the car sits, dead, in a parking lot. It has (once again) swallowed up all of its coolant. I am unsure where its going, or what is wrong. The engine wants to start, and even sparks and turns over, but it will just sputter and die.

What should I do?

Thank you for any help

Pull the plugs and check if they are fowled. What trim level you have? Is this a supercharged engine or a NA? If a NA, pull the throttle body and look inside the intake manifold. Do you see coolant in there? If so, the manifold is leaking along the EGR hole.