Glad to hear that you're getting her back Brian! I doubt the stat and 3.4 pulley caused the problem. If anything, overheating would be the problem. The Intense PCM mod included having the fans turn on earlier due to the 180 stat, so you're all set there. Did it every overheat?

The LIM gasket is one of the things that happen sooner or later. Yours was sooner. Weren't you experiencing a mysterious coolant smell earlier? Except for heat, or not installed properly to begin with, I'm at a loss for the heart shaped o-ring. Maybe someone else has an idea there.

My car never overheated Dick, and the fans run as per the Intense PCM program fine. I just want to prevent a future o-ring problem if possible. I never had a coolant smell, but I did have a burning oil smell which should be gone now that the valve cover gaskets are new as well! The new gaskets are current edition fel-pro'*. I hope these will be like the gm aluminum framed ones....can anyone confirm these too have been upgraded?

Prior to the GM aluminum gasket, the FelPros were the way to go. By all indications, the GM gasket is superior to the FelPro, but I am not aware of any reported failures of the FelPros either. The "problem" is that they are still made of plastic.

Note this thread.

http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/...c.php?t=63759&

Well should be good for another 50-60k anyways before I have to worry about it again! By then I'll have seen enough done up here to do it my self!

On a side note........if anyone wants a Solstice........fun to drive but gutless and cramped........get the Turbo or don't even bother.........oh and it better be your summer car........this is NOT a "practical" car by any means. I needed to do a delivery to a customer and couldn't fit the darn box in my car to do it unless the roof was down (middle of 30 degree temps not going to happen!).

Long live Bonnie and her new LIM gaskets!!!!!

Flaws in GM o-rings aren't new to me. I'd suspect an assembly error at the factory. The o-ring had a twist to begin with, and got worse with age.

Theory, but the pulley didn't do anything to it.

O ring consipracy theory..

I'd with Wren on this one.. must have been installed poorly. It'* a simple o ring that sits on top.

Fel Pro to our knowledge has not updated to aluminum yet or they have not penetrated through the old stock yet.

Do you know if you were refilled with Dex or something like Prestone Long Life? If the prestone..I'd be inclined to think you are in good shape

Dex again

Can always do another flush I guess, but the guy says it would still be contaminated anyways. :?:

The best way to flush is to drain..refill with water..run until the T stat opens..drain..refill with water..run again.

Repeat until water is clear and clean. Then drain and fill with the proper mix of Prestone LL or green for your area.

Or get the Prestone (or other brand) flush and fill kit that connects into the heater hose, to get rid of it.

have the same problem with a 98 bonneville.... I punched the gas on the freeway to pass someone, all of a sudden my check engine light was flashing, and I had a little rough running. I got the car home and shut it off, and it would not start after that. I pulled the plugs and they had coolant on them. I pulled all the plugs, cranked it, and coolant came out. I removed the intakes, and the upper intake (top of lower) was an inch deep in coolant. The lower intake manifold gaskets were cracked up a little. I replaced all the gasked, replace plugs and wires, and reassembled. The car took a little to crank over, but ran for about 15 mins, and started displaying problems again, so I shut it off. The car would not start again. I pulled the upper intake again and there is coolant in there. I did not notice and cracks or anything, and was very throrough about checking everything... any ideas?

Thanks!