urbex Posted March 6, 2011 Report Share Posted March 6, 2011 Ok, so I have a very very slight coolant loss on my Lumina with the 3.1 engine. I mean slight. A month or two ago I noticed the coolant level was a little low in the reservoir, so I added a little bit. I've probably driven 2k miles since then, and it hasn't gone down. BUT, when I pressure tested the system, it doesn't hold pressure. I checked the oil, and there's no water in there, and there are no puddles under the car, or even any drips. (Well, other than oil...) Should I be too concerned about this? Or is it just something to keep an eye on? Back in about '07 I had the intake gaskets replaced at a shop. I mean, I have no problem just keeping an eye on the level and oil (I check usually every wash, which is like once a week). But I don't want to be hurting anything by not fixing it ASAP! Someone mentioned maybe a LIM gasket? How would I tell if that's it? My friend also thought it could be going out the exhaust, but it's not smoking white. I haven't pulled the plugs though to check. Even if it were going out the exhaust would I be hurting anything? Anyone have any ideas or suggestions? Or should I just wait, and keep an eye on it? (Sorry, I did try searching, but most everything I could find was for a different engine...and most had water in the oil, so forgive me if this is a duplicate thread) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobertISaar Posted March 6, 2011 Report Share Posted March 6, 2011 if it's a small enough leak, the cat will cover up any traces of coolant(and a few other automotive liquids) being sent out the exhaust. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
urbex Posted March 6, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 6, 2011 And that could very well be...since it's small. So would I really hurt much more than the cat then? I'm fine with that... Well, probably O2 sensors I would guess...which they've got to be on their last leg with that many miles anyways. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobertISaar Posted March 6, 2011 Report Share Posted March 6, 2011 hmm.... you use the green coolant? that has silicates in it, which will slowly kill O2 sensors and i think cats as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
urbex Posted March 6, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 6, 2011 Yep, I just put some green Prestone in it. Like I said, if I ruin my O2s and cat I'm not too concerned. They're a lot cheaper than a new engine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AL Posted March 6, 2011 Report Share Posted March 6, 2011 Youll be able to see if the LIMs are leaking by peeking down below the PS pump or under the throttle body... Youll see just a wet spot... Its possible that the coolant is just burning off from the heat of the engine after leaking out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
urbex Posted March 6, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 6, 2011 I'll have to double check... The whole engine has wet spots from little oil leaks. Nothing big though, but it's hard to tell what's what down there since everything is wet. Plus this time of year with the messy roads, sprays water up in there... I'll have to take a peek and see if I can see anything there. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
94vertluvr Posted March 7, 2011 Report Share Posted March 7, 2011 I'll have to double check... The whole engine has wet spots from little oil leaks. Nothing big though, but it's hard to tell what's what down there since everything is wet. Plus this time of year with the messy roads, sprays water up in there... I'll have to take a peek and see if I can see anything there. Thanks! Keep a close eye on it man, I just had my 94 3.1 blow a head gasket and the wife said it never overheated the only symptom was a little loss of coolant and then all the sudden the reservoir is bubbling up and I now have white steam coming from the tailpipe. Good luck with that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dodgethis Posted March 7, 2011 Report Share Posted March 7, 2011 Keep a close eye on it man, I just had my 94 3.1 blow a head gasket and the wife said it never overheated the only symptom was a little loss of coolant and then all the sudden the reservoir is bubbling up and I now have white steam coming from the tailpipe. Good luck with that! Yea, keep an eye on the resevoir. I noticed mine was mixing with oil. That is a sign to start getting the gasket replaced. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galaxie500XL Posted March 7, 2011 Report Share Posted March 7, 2011 Bad part about slight coolant leaks is they don't usually stay that way. I'd look carefully at the LIM, see if there's coolant staining around the base of the manifold. If you're not holding pressure, though, that's not a promising sign. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
urbex Posted March 7, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 7, 2011 So, just to clarify for me...where does the coolant go if the LIM gasket is leaking? Out the side of the block? What's the worse that happens? Does it hurt anything internally on the engine? Or just lose coolant and risk overheating? Sorry guys, I'm still kind of a noob when it comes to this type stuff. I'm just hoping whatever is wrong can hold off until summer when I have another car out to drive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobertISaar Posted March 7, 2011 Report Share Posted March 7, 2011 the LIM can rupture and leak internally, into either the intake ports or into the crankcase, both of which would be bad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
urbex Posted March 7, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 7, 2011 (edited) Ok, so I'll also keep an eye on the oil (which I normally do anyways) Like I said... I'm just hoping it can make it until it's a little warmer out and I have another car to drive. Might be a good summer project even if it hasn't gotten worse yet. I wonder if I should do the black light test..... Hmm..might be worth trying. Oh, and thanks again everyone for putting up with my dumbass questions! Edited March 7, 2011 by urbex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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