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98 chevy lumina loosing coolant.
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whjs416
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Jun 18, 2014, 12:53 PM
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98 chevy lumina loosing coolant.
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Hello I just got this car running after sitting for awhile. new battery and im going to do oil, also flushed coolant tank and radiator. previous owner used wrong coolant (orange coolant) and caused some chunky sledge .so i flushed best i could and put in reg 50/50 coolant. problem is i dont see any leaks and coolant is disappearing oil looked like its the proper color its not dark its very light and fresh looking. i know these cars have issues with gaskets can it be that or something else im missing?
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Discretesignals
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Jun 18, 2014, 12:58 PM
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Re: 98 chevy lumina loosing coolant.
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Dex-cool is the coolant preferred by the manufacture of your vehicle. Dex-cool will sludge up if you have air in the coolant system from either a bad radiator cap or low coolant level.
You should get hold of a coolant pressure tester. Pressurize the system when the engine is cold and look for any external leaks. Pay attention to where the intake and heads come together on either side of the engine. Also observe for leaks at the water pump weep hole, where hoses connect, and around the radiator side tanks.
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Jun 18, 2014, 1:13 PM)
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Hammer Time
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Jun 18, 2014, 1:12 PM
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Re: 98 chevy lumina loosing coolant.
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Now you get to flush all the wrong coolant out thoroughly and replace it with the correct coolant.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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whjs416
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Jun 18, 2014, 1:13 PM
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Re: 98 chevy lumina loosing coolant.
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would not using dexcool be causing the green colored coolant to disappear without any leaks?
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Discretesignals
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Jun 18, 2014, 1:16 PM
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There is a leak if your losing coolant. Doesn't matter what color it is. If you have an external leak, you should see it by pressurizing the cooling system when the engine is cold. If you don't see any external leaks, either the coolant is leaking into the crankcase, the engine is burning it, or the coolant monster is coming to your house at night and taking drinks.
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Jun 18, 2014, 1:19 PM)
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Hammer Time
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Jun 18, 2014, 1:17 PM
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Nothing disappears without any leaks. Either you haven't found the leak or it is leaking and burning it internally due to a blown head gasket or cracked head.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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nickwarner
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Jun 18, 2014, 8:16 PM
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Re: 98 chevy lumina loosing coolant.
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Don't be so hasty to rule out the coolant monster HT. Its getting hot out and he gets thirsty.
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Hammer Time
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Jun 18, 2014, 10:17 PM
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Oh yeah, he's the guy that steals the refrigerant that disappears without a leak too.too.
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nickwarner
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Jun 19, 2014, 6:49 AM
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Re: 98 chevy lumina loosing coolant.
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No, thats the refrigerant monster. I thought you knew about cars. Didn't you read that TSB about it?
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whjs416
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Jun 22, 2014, 1:34 PM
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Re: 98 chevy lumina loosing coolant.
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I"m leaning twards its the intake manifold gasett. the oil is clean and i dont see any external leaks and from what i have taken from talking to others the intake gasket seems to be issue. but before I go any further is there any tell tale way to know for sure that the intake gasket is the issue?
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Discretesignals
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Jun 22, 2014, 1:55 PM
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Re: 98 chevy lumina loosing coolant.
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Did you pressure test the system?
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Jun 22, 2014, 1:56 PM)
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whjs416
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Jun 24, 2014, 1:52 AM
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Re: 98 chevy lumina loosing coolant.
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do what would i need to do that ?
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Tom Greenleaf
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Jun 24, 2014, 2:42 AM
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Re: 98 chevy lumina loosing coolant.
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You get a pressure tester and pressure up system to it's rating and look for the leaks. Might be rentable tool,
T
(This post was edited by Tom Greenleaf on Jun 24, 2014, 2:44 AM)
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whjs416
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Jun 24, 2014, 4:21 AM
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Re: 98 chevy lumina loosing coolant.
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trying to get my hands on one. i drove the car for about a half hr on hot day when i got home just now i saw some wetness around head going down side of motor with there being no coolant in oil im thinking it may be lower intake manifold gaskett i can get one for 30 bucks so i may just start there,
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Tom Greenleaf
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Jun 24, 2014, 4:25 AM
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Re: 98 chevy lumina loosing coolant.
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Don't guess, be sure. Dry it off - clean it off and watch it come back. Easier with a pressure tester. You could spend hours doing a gasket job that isn't the problem and once you start you can't pressure up the system again so be sure,
T
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Hammer Time
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Jun 24, 2014, 5:53 AM
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I hope you realize what kind of job that is before you tackle it.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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whjs416
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Jun 24, 2014, 10:56 AM
Post #17 of 27
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Re: 98 chevy lumina loosing coolant.
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i have taken the lower manifold off and now am going to put new gaskets in and reassemble.new gaskets dont require you to use silicon on gasket only on bottom edges. will keep you guys updated
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Hammer Time
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Jun 24, 2014, 11:19 AM
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You never said but i assume you have a 3.1. Don't mix up those push rods. They are different for intake and exhaust.
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whjs416
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Jun 24, 2014, 11:45 AM
Post #19 of 27
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Re: 98 chevy lumina loosing coolant.
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yea i took them out and placed them in order they came out.
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Hammer Time
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Jun 24, 2014, 11:50 AM
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Re: 98 chevy lumina loosing coolant.
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Just clean the sides real good and apply those gaskets dry. Spread a bead of black or gray silicone along both end strips and try to drop the manifold straight down witout sliding it too much. Start tightening the bolts from the center ad alternate sides working toward the ends.
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whjs416
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Jun 24, 2014, 3:30 PM
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Re: 98 chevy lumina loosing coolant.
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ran into big problem i tightened the lower manifold to tight on 2 of the outside blots not middle the torque wrench i bought was not too good overtightened middle screws but they did not break just mild strip. but i did snap 2 of the outside bolts. didnt read instructions all the way through where it said to only put them at 18lbs. will it be ok or am i screwed?
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Hammer Time
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Jun 24, 2014, 3:39 PM
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Re: 98 chevy lumina loosing coolant.
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Neither. You need to remove the manifold and get those broken pieces out and order new bolts from GM. You can't leave it like that.
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whjs416
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Jun 25, 2014, 2:26 AM
Post #23 of 27
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Re: 98 chevy lumina loosing coolant.
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any way i can remove them without taking the lower manifold off like with a thin screw extractor?
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Hammer Time
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Jun 25, 2014, 4:36 AM
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Re: 98 chevy lumina loosing coolant.
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I wouldn't bet on that. You're going to do more damage than good trying that.
It is the bolts to the lower manifold that broke, right?
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
(This post was edited by Hammer Time on Jun 25, 2014, 4:36 AM)
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whjs416
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Jun 25, 2014, 5:31 AM
Post #25 of 27
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Re: 98 chevy lumina loosing coolant.
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just the bolts the 5 and 7 if you look at diagram tightening sequence.
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