tornado_735 Posted January 2, 2010 Report Share Posted January 2, 2010 I took a quick peek inside the radiator filler neck today, and there was a very light film inside it. The coolant at the bottom was still green though. When I looked inside the reservoir, there is an oily slick floating on top of the coolant. I'm sitting at 176K and I have no idea if the LIM Gasket has been changed (I am assuming it hasn't). I figure that's probably the issue. If it is, how long does it take to replace? Is there a writeup anywhere? Also, I am interested in what other issues could cause this. Also, for what it's worth; I am not losing oil at any noticeable rate, and it is staying clean and not showing any signs of having coolant in it. That's good, right....? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1990lumina Posted January 2, 2010 Report Share Posted January 2, 2010 I'd rather have oil in my cooling system then coolant in my motor...but either way fix it ASAP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Night Fury Posted January 2, 2010 Report Share Posted January 2, 2010 If I can do it,(and have twice!) I'm sure you could! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spiderw31 Posted January 2, 2010 Report Share Posted January 2, 2010 I'd rather have oil in my cooling system then coolant in my motor...but either way fix it ASAP. x2 At least this way, there are no bearings to wipe out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tornado_735 Posted January 2, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 2, 2010 So you guys reckon it's the LIM gasket? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GOT2B GM Posted January 2, 2010 Report Share Posted January 2, 2010 A 3100 wirh 176k miles it pretty much has to be the lim if it hasn't been done yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobertISaar Posted January 2, 2010 Report Share Posted January 2, 2010 if you need a procedure checklist, PM me, i'll get the one alldata is saying to do... and oil in the coolant: been like that in the monte for YEARS, no problem at all... it's when the coolant starts to go into the crankcase is when you're fucked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89SupremeCutty Posted January 3, 2010 Report Share Posted January 3, 2010 get it done asap. replacing the lim gasket is way cheaper then rebuilding a motor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dodgethis Posted January 3, 2010 Report Share Posted January 3, 2010 Do a write up if your pulling the UIM, and LIM. I want pics! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GOT2B GM Posted January 3, 2010 Report Share Posted January 3, 2010 any chance the trans cooler in the rad has failed ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xtremerevolution Posted January 3, 2010 Report Share Posted January 3, 2010 any chance the trans cooler in the rad has failed ? Is that a common failure? Just curious, since I've never heard of it happening. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GOT2B GM Posted January 3, 2010 Report Share Posted January 3, 2010 not common, but possible Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy K Posted January 3, 2010 Report Share Posted January 3, 2010 it happened in my 92 lumina. advice: clean out all the oil you can and continue monitoring it. You can also leave the radiator cap in the half-way unsealed position to prevent pressure build up, which will reduce the chances of coolant leaking into the oil... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tornado_735 Posted January 3, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2010 Yeah, I think it went tonight. Talk about timing! It happened just as my girlfriend was pulling into the driveway. She said it started surging at a couple of lights, and stalled in the driveway. FFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUUU I hope that's not what it is, but if so, it couldn't have happened at a better time. I have two days off together coming up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tornado_735 Posted January 3, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2010 I am going to go home and check it, and make sure there's not some other vacuum line leaking. If not, I'll start working on it, and I will do a writeup with lots of pictures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tornado_735 Posted January 3, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2010 I think I dodged a bullet. I think it was crappy gas that caused the stall. I dumped some seafoam in and put about 5 gallons of 93 Octane in. I'll be money it was water in the fuel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GnatGoSplat Posted January 4, 2010 Report Share Posted January 4, 2010 I have the same problem. My 89 has been putting small amounts of oil into the coolant reservoir since 1999, if that gives you any idea how long you can get away with it. Not sure if mine is LIM or tranny cooler. Mine started doing it after I replaced the LIM so that could be it, though I've been losing tranny fluid since the 90's as well, so it could be either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidHowell3633 Posted January 6, 2010 Report Share Posted January 6, 2010 You'll most likely be changing the lower intake gaskets, sooner or later. Folks, check me on this, but I think the Fel-Pro part number for the PermaDryPlus gasket kit MS 98004 T. I've been thru this 3 times on 2 cars. Use lock-tite or equivalent on clean bolts. Poke some holes in a cardboard box and plunge the pushrods in an order so you don't mix them up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pitzel Posted January 9, 2010 Report Share Posted January 9, 2010 Same deal on mine; oil in coolant. But no detectable coolant in oil. Coolant level slowly went down. When I tore mine apart to replace the LIM, the gasket was in perfect shape (no damage to the gasket itself), *but*, the LIM bolts were so loose that I could loosen and remove them with my fingers. The 'coolant in oil' scenario happens when the leak is much more rapid. But either way, eventually, a LIM that doesn't seal properly, will have the same results. Make sure you use the threadlocker, and the updated torque spec, when you put the new gasket in. If you're a n00b, it might take you a week to do everything. If you know what you're doing, I've heard of dealership guys getting the whole job done in 4 hours or less. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tornado_735 Posted January 9, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2010 I have been keeping an eye on it. 4500 miles on the oil and it's still nice and clean. When it's not colder than a witches tit out, I will get around to flushing the coolant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Night Fury Posted January 9, 2010 Report Share Posted January 9, 2010 Totally different engine, but the L32 in my 05 GP did the same thing... Oil in coolant. It led to some really hot trips up the mountains Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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