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Tractor Talk Discussion Forum

O.T. Buick Engine Coolant Leak

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IA Roy

12-19-2005 10:33:04




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My son has a 91 Park Ave. He has a coolant leak that is going out the exhaust pipe. Have not been able to find any external leak. Does not go into crankcase. Only 220,000 miles. It runs good. I tried several stop-leak products. I suspect either bad intake manifold gaskets (like my Lumina did) or a head gasket. On my Lumina I still wasn"t sure when looking at the old manifold gaskets, and still wondered if I had it fixed until I drove it awhile. Is there any way to narrow this down before I tear it apart? I know overall this engine has a very good reputation. I hate to tear it apart a second time if I don"t get it fixed the first time. Thanks in advance.

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Dean Barker

12-19-2005 21:24:11




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 Re: O.T. Buick Engine Coolant Leak in reply to IA Roy, 12-19-2005 10:33:04  
Make sure it is not the waterpump. Sometimes, it is hard to see a leak there.



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ejr-IA.

12-19-2005 11:58:59




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 Re: O.T. Buick Engine Coolant Leak in reply to IA Roy, 12-19-2005 10:33:04  
Does that buick have the plastic intake manifold ? They would warp and cause a leak internal ,theirs a small oring that won't seal between the intake and block had to replace it with aftermarket from NAPA much cheaper than GM.



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Bob

12-19-2005 22:10:59




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 Re: O.T. Buick Engine Coolant Leak in reply to ejr-IA., 12-19-2005 11:58:59  
ejr,

I think you nailed it. Some (brilliant?) GM engineer thought it would work to pipe hot exhaust gas for EGR to the plastic intake manifold, near a water fitting.

If this is the engine you have, almost certainly a warped/melted/screwed plastic intake manifold is to blame.



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Martini

12-19-2005 11:52:06




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 Re: O.T. Buick Engine Coolant Leak in reply to IA Roy, 12-19-2005 10:33:04  
I will share my experience since it is similar.
Manifold gasket was bad on 3.1 L Grand Prix.
Seems there is some wonder 'composition' material
gasket involved which provides revenue to GM !
Anyhow, there should be puddling of coolant on the recesses on top of the manifold. Keep an eye
on the water pump, as they are another weak part
and will also be the doom of these V6 engines.
By the way, are we graduating engineers without conscience who put garbage materials in gaskets
where proper and good quality material should be placed? Especially in high heat zones!
Don't get me started on V6 spark plug
replacement!!!

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wfw

12-19-2005 11:49:17




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 Re: O.T. Buick Engine Coolant Leak in reply to IA Roy, 12-19-2005 10:33:04  
check for bubbles in radiater after engine has run several minutes (allow time for thermostat to open), if you have bubbles coming up in the coolant you probably have a blown head gasket



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TomTX

12-19-2005 11:35:09




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 Re: O.T. Buick Engine Coolant Leak in reply to IA Roy, 12-19-2005 10:33:04  
After the new head gssket, better be sure to completely flush, and then flush again, since you have pumped it full of multiple stop leak products. Otherwise, system my get blocked and overheat, crack head; if they haven't caused problems already. I have seen many a engine ruined with stop leak products. I don't use them under any circumstance. Good luck.
Tom



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Earl-IL

12-19-2005 11:31:22




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 Re: O.T. Buick Engine Coolant Leak in reply to IA Roy, 12-19-2005 10:33:04  
Do a cyl leakdown test you can even find which cyl if you think it is a head gasket. If a head gasket is leaking the air will come back in the cooling system. If that checks ok replace the intake gasket. Did you get the engine hot??? If not I am guessing intake gasket.Don't use abrasive type cleaners (Round disc in a drill) to clean your gasket surface. We have seen too many engines ruined with these things. Earl In Illinois

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Allan in NE

12-19-2005 10:42:03




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 Re: O.T. Buick Engine Coolant Leak in reply to IA Roy, 12-19-2005 10:33:04  
Roy,

I think you'd better count on the head gaskets and that is about the mileage they would fail.

Don't forget that funky way of tightening the new headbolts too.

Allan



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