I inherited this car from my parents 3 months ago who have always taken care of it and it has never been abused. It has 112k miles and the original Dex cool until I got it at 107k miles and had it flushed. Since I've had it I have noticed evidence of some seepage of coolant where the intake meets the head. I've also noticed a coolant smell sometimes. Just recently when I was checking the oil I saw some orange colored liquid in the oil cap tube. There was also white milkshake like stuff built up on the oil cap. Now it'* not overheating and it runs fine so could the LIM or UIM be the culprit or both? I'm not using any noticeable amount of coolant. I'm hoping it'* not the headgasket or worse. I'm still driving it everyday until this Friday when I'm going to replace the LIM and UIM. I guess my question is, if it was the headgasket or a cracked head or something would there be telltale signs and noticeable loss in performance? Can the LIM failing cause coolant in oil? BTW since I saw the orange liquid I wiped it off and a little showed up a week later but it'* been another week and it'* still clean. Any advice or opinions will be greatly appreciated. Cheers! Paul

The LIM gaskets and the UIM EGR port are the vastly common leak points for coolant. I think if it'* getting into the oil, it'* more likely the LIM gaskets than the UIM. Make sure to get the aluminum framed ones. The headgaskets rarely fail in a 3800. I'm not one of the Series II experts around here, so hopefully someone will show up and correct me if I'm wrong on anything.

I agree that your planned work should take care of your problem. If you live in a cold climate, some water can form on the oil filler cap until the engine is pretty well warmed up.

I 've got the Fel Pro UIM and LIM gasket sets, what else should I buy for this job?

get the GM aluminum framed lower gaskets instead of the Fel-pro. The Fel-pro upper will be fine. Get some Ultra Copper RTV for the corners of the lower gaskets.

Well I already bought the Fel Pro lower gaskets today, should I return them and get the GM gaskets? If the Fel Pros will last another 100k miles I 'll be fine with them. Should I get the coolant elbows and if so, what is the part number? Cheers, Paul

yes, get the GM ones, well worth it.

The coolant elbows are readily available at your parts store in the help-section. They are like $7.99

Thanks, I'll keep you guys posted as I'll be doing the work on Friday. Right now I'm running at about 200 degrees so I'm hoping it'll run a little cooler after this. Next is to tackle the rear brake humming noise I'm sure that you are familiar with.

if you want to run a little cooler, put a 180* thermostat in, instead of the stock 195*

Thanks, harofreak I'm going to try to post some pics of the replacement. Although I'm a little strapped for cash so I might just stick with the Fel Pro LIM gasket.