Well you're not going to believe this (well you guys will). I was using my friends 1997 Olds 88 this morning to go to school, i've asked here about it before. Just turned 60k miles. Everything is fine until i'm about a mile from school, then i stop at a stoplight and the check engine light starts flashing (missing like crazy) and i immediately smelled coolant. As soon as the arrow turned green i pulled into the closest parking lot i could find and shut it off. Oh as i was accellerating away from the light i looked back and saw a HUGE cloud of blue/grey and bright white smoke. Of course first thing i think is intake. So anyways i pull into the lot, shut it off, and pop the hood. The car never overheated, gauge sat right at 200-215 like always. Never got a low coolant or oil pressure light. I pop the radiator cap and it'* like half down, so i run up to the nearest hardware store and pick up a few gallons just in case and top it off. Tried to start it, all i get is billowing white smoke. Let it sit a little longer, try again very quick just incase, and it'* locked up. Call tow truck, get home, and pul a few plugs. Both the front and the rears are wet. What am i looking at here guys? Thanks for any help!

Failed UIM?

could be a LIM gasket as well I guess. but from the sounds of it you are probably looking at the upper.

whats the oil look like?

sounds like you flooded all the cylinders with coolant. you should have never tried to turn it over again.


You need to get a new UIM, I would suggest lowers while you are at it, and replace them. You will also need to replace all the plugs, and while you are doing the plugs you should soak out all the coolant you put into the cylinders.

If you'd like to be a part of Bob'* sleeved upper experiment, I have one ready to go for $30 plus freight.

Read this for some more information:

http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/...c0f4c51f253489

Hey thanks guys. I called the guy over at motor parts, and he'* got the upper and lower gaskets for like $40 and change. He didn't see anything for a new intake? I thought the upper gaskets were a part of the intake themselves, but he says they're not. What am i supposed to get for her? I'm assuming i'll have to do this job in the garage in the cold for her. Oh and BTW the oil is perfect, no bubbles or milky look.

the UIM gaskets are connected but not the same piece as the UIM. the UIM is what has likely failed. You need the actual manifold, not just the gaskets.

New injector "O" rings is a good idea too.