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Friend's Impala blowing smoke

Old Jun 12, 2011 | 07:40 PM
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Default Friend'* Impala blowing smoke

My friend left me a voicemail. His 2000-something (2003?) Impala at about 100,000 miles is blowing white smoke out of the tailpipe. He was wondering if it was a head gasket.

I played phone tag and left him a voicemail. I'm not sure if he has the 3400 or the 3800 (I think it'* the 3400), but I told him that the 3800 rarely blows its head gaskets.

Has anyone had this problem with the 2000-something Impalas?
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Old Jun 12, 2011 | 08:11 PM
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I've not personally delt with it on the impalas but have him see if the exhaust smells sweet.
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Old Jun 12, 2011 | 08:31 PM
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Check the coolant level.
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Old Jun 12, 2011 | 09:18 PM
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It definitely sounds his UIM or LIM is leaking. Are those as much of a problem on the 3400, too?
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Old Jun 12, 2011 | 09:41 PM
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put it this way Grand Ams with the same motor blow them up all the time
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Old Jun 12, 2011 | 11:08 PM
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The 3x00 have intake gasket problems that would cause this.
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Old Jun 12, 2011 | 11:12 PM
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Originally Posted by Nighthwk12
The 3x00 have intake gasket problems that would cause this.
Oh well, at least we 3800ers aren't alone.

I shot him an email and told him it'* more than likely the UIM, given the white smoke, and pushed him to get metal LIM gaskets installed at the same time.
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Old Jun 13, 2011 | 08:55 AM
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The UIM'* on 3X00'* are metal. So only the gaskets are needed
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Old Jun 13, 2011 | 10:16 AM
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Originally Posted by Nighthwk12
The UIM'* on 3X00'* are metal. So only the gaskets are needed
So the 3400 got a metal UIM before we did... Lucky.

I saw metal LIM gaskets for it; are there metal UIM gaskets to match?
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Old Jun 13, 2011 | 11:24 AM
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I would be lead to believe you can get it as a whole kit.
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