1998 CHEVROLET LUMINA
151,527 MILES
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PAPERPLANEGANG
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My cars thermostat is jumping cold/hot, not holding coolant and when i get to where i'm going, there is steam coming from under the hood and a hissing noise. Help?
Nov 15, 2012 at 3:26 PM
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RACEFAN966
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I need to know what engine you have. Also what have you done and what has been checked at this point?
Nov 15, 2012 at 4:29 PM
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PAPERPLANEGANG
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3.1 L engine;; Nothing has been done. I check all my fluids and the ground for leaks, but no visual leaks. I know zero about cars besides the basics;; My dad usually takes care of everything, but i'll be taking it to a shop Monday morning.
Nov 15, 2012 at 4:37 PM
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RACEFAN966
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Sounds like you may have an intake leak. Meaning the intake gasket might be leaking into the cylinder so the engine is burning the coolant not leaking it. Could be a head or head gasket too. So have the shop check it and do a chemical test before just replacing parts. The chemical test will tell you weather or not it has cumbustion gases in the radiator if it does then it is a head or head gasket, it not then it maybe an intake or intake gasket leak. This manifold is also known for the throttle body leaking coolant into the intake too. So there is your heads up hope that helps.
Nov 15, 2012 at 5:13 PM
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BRITTANYCROWDER
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Thank you! Is this going to be pricey?
Nov 15, 2012 at 5:19 PM
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RACEFAN966
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Well that all depends on what is found to be wrong. If its an intake leak then it should be a few hundred if its heads or head gaskets then around a thousand or more. I would not worry to much untill you have the chemical test done. Keep in mind that these intakes do have leak problems so we will see.
Nov 16, 2012 at 3:40 PM
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BRITTANYCROWDER
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I freaked out and took it yesterday;; He said there were some leaks around some gaskets causing it.
Nov 16, 2012 at 3:52 PM
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RACEFAN966
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Good that shouldn't be so bad. Let me know how it goes. Have a great day.
Nov 16, 2012 at 3:57 PM
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PAPERPLANEGANG
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The more & more my car acts up, the more i read about blown heads/leaks around head gasket. In turn, the more & more i think my mechanic is an idiot. Now it has started missing along with everything else. I'm positive it's leaking around the head gasket;; So tonight i'm going to try a sealant before giving up on my car. Do you have any experiences with these? I'm leaning towards K&W, but that is upon the many reviews i've read.
Nov 17, 2012 at 3:54 PM
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RACEFAN966
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Go with the bars leak tabs. They are 6 tabs that come in a package it is what GM does when its just seeping. The miss may be part of the problem and may not be so lets do the tabs first.
Nov 18, 2012 at 4:48 PM
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PAPERPLANEGANG
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Ok i'll try that first. How many do i use? Thank you so much by the way! :)
Nov 18, 2012 at 5:16 PM
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PAPERPLANEGANG
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Didn't do anything :/
Nov 19, 2012 at 1:39 AM
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RACEFAN966
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Was affraid it wouldn't. I still think is maybe an intake leak, it is common on those.
Nov 20, 2012 at 4:30 PM