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.

Infamous coolant leak

Old Aug 9, 2009 | 11:58 PM
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Default Infamous coolant leak

Since my engine overheated i have changed the upper and lower intake gaskets but the coolant is still leaking in the same exact spot!!!! I used the rtv silicone on the end seals but i think i didnt put enough on them and i have took the intake manifold apart about 5 or 6 times during the week....!!! I changed the spark plugs today and changed the oil and filter due to coolant leaking into the oil... Car started right up, check engine light went off but soon as i put water in the radiator it leaked straight out in the same spot!!!! How do i fix this problem???
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Old Aug 10, 2009 | 08:49 AM
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Please put your year and model in your signature. This will help us greatly to understand which setup you have and supply you with the best fix for the issue.
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Old Aug 10, 2009 | 04:18 PM
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its a 1998 SLE
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Old Aug 11, 2009 | 09:09 AM
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Cool, now which spot is leaking coolant?

Being a 98 SLE you have a naturally aspriated motor. If coolant is leaking onto the LIM manifold and filling it up, then the UIM is cracked in the tube that leads up through the EGR area.

Yes, it'* a very bad design. A new manifold is about $100-$120 and is the recommended fix for the issue.
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Old Aug 11, 2009 | 10:45 AM
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the leak is coming directly from the end seals on the driver'* side... i used that rtv silicone stuff that came with it and everything... i replaced the upper intake gaskets and the lower but it was that same plastic orange **** Felpro had... i heard there were new aluminum gaskets but im thinking the manifold itself is maybe warped because i feel like i used a lot of that rtv stuff on both ends ... its only leaking on the drivers side... soon as coolant is in the reservoir tank its gone..... the coolant was getting into the oil at first so i had to change the oil and filter then take all the spark plugs out and turn the ignition to allow coolant to spit out.... also the guy at murray'* told me bosch platinum spark plugs were crap so i put autolites on it.... i left it at the shop last night hopefully i dont hear **** like "head gaskets blown" cuz i dont have the money to fix that.... the only issue i had in the beginning of this nightmare was i needed a new power steering pump and now all of this has happened
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Old Aug 11, 2009 | 01:05 PM
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You won't hear head gaskest...at least I'm 99.999% sure of it. They are very uncommon on these motors. The Fel Pro gaskets and 5 lbs of RTV you used isn't failing you either. The end seal of the LIM only holds the oil splash in the valley of the block from splashing out.

Your problem will end up being either the TB gasket or the LIM coolant turnaround cover, which is located right under the TB.

That'* the two common leaks on that end of the motor.
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Old Aug 12, 2009 | 11:36 PM
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i got it back from an ASE shop yesterday and the mechanic told me it is the intake plenum that is causing the leak.. said its melted and the little gold pipe attached to the egr valve and the manifold itself is bad..
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