136,000 miles, losing coolant, intake manifold gaskets shot from DEX COOL ???????

**Skillet** · 02-10-2011

2002 2 door GTP Owned this car since it was almost new....... Not one problem with it. Only one recall, front valve cover gasket..... Plan on driving it till it falls apart. Just noticed in the last two days its losing coolant..... I have to replace the rear valve cover gasket on it anyway so I'm guessing new intake manifold gaskets , upper and lower would be a good idea...... Ive read so many horror stores about this junk ass dex cool ruining gaskets. Car runs like a dream, and no antifreeze in oil..... What should I use for coolant in this 3.8L after I flush this junk ass dex cool out? Reg green or yellow? Are the intake manifold bolts blind on these cars or do they protrude in to coolant passages? I haven't looked real close at it yet but its losing about 1 1/2 quarts of oil between changes , and IT IS NOT burning it. Exhaust is clean.... Just wanted some input from you guys that know 3.8's well...... I'm more of a diesel guy myself

Thanks

**matt5112** · 02-10-2011

was the coolant ever changed?

If not, thats why the dex ate your gasket.

Put an aluminum gasket in and change the coolant like you're supposed to.

Dex is fine if you change it and bleed it properly.

If you dont want to run it, try prestone all makes long life coolant.

**Skillet** · 02-10-2011

I changed it at 100,000. No problems then... I dunno. What do you mean bleed it? Bleed the air out of the system? Is it a ***** to do intake gaskets or not bad at all?

**matt5112** · 02-10-2011

most people seem to agree that every two years is the ideal time to replace your coolant, regardless of if its long life or not.

Even if you followed GM's schedule, it should have been done twice so far. That is assuming its an 01 or older.

Yes, bleeding the air out of the coolant system.

Intake gasket is a piece of cake really.

10 mm deep + 6" extension and have at it.

**Skillet** · 02-10-2011

Cool, thanks for the help.... It'll be a breese then.. Thread sealant on the intake bolts work for sealing them as well? What gasket set you recommend? Fel Pro or GM direct ?

**matt5112** · 02-10-2011

i prefer the Felpro one after seeing both.

Thread sealant is a good idea.

Make sure you put the dabs of RTV in the four corners where the LIM meets with the orange side pieces and the main gasket.

Also a good idea to drain the coolant before taking the LIM off to avoid letting coolant fall down there.

**cleangtp** · 02-10-2011

Originally Posted by matt5112

i prefer the Felpro one after seeing both.

Thread sealant is a good idea.

Make sure you put the dabs of RTV in the four corners where the LIM meets with the orange side pieces and the main gasket.

Also a good idea to drain the coolant before taking the LIM off to avoid letting coolant fall down there.

Advance told me they don't carry metal felpro.... was it someone not knowing what they're talking about? I was going to just buy a zzp gasket set but I remember reading that someone said their intake gaskets don't fit as well as gm or others.

**matt5112** · 02-10-2011

LOL wow....

Felpro perma dry plus second design is metal.

FEL-PRO Part # MS98014T

**Skillet** · 02-10-2011

Yea i seen that second design notation on NAPA's website. I know what you mean on the four corners.... Do that all the time on our small block chevy's..... Most fel pro's never come with directions.....Im sure the sealing beads around the intake ports seal fine but what about the water passages? Leave them alone or use a very thin layer of silicone? I hate using silicone when there's a gasket........ Thats what the gasket is for LOL

**BillBoost37** · 02-10-2011

FWIW, It's not the coolant, it's the poor gasket material etc. But that's kinda moot and I dunno why the heck I'm bothering to post except to say..go ahead and use Dex when you refill.

**matt5112** · 02-10-2011

it'll come with instructions on where to use the RTV.

Just in one spot where the main gasket meets the end pieces.

Make sure its that part number I gave you OR permadry plus, second design.

Its gotta be the plus else it'll be plastic.

**Skillet** · 02-10-2011

LOL, 10-4 sounds good. Yea eff that plastic.... Metal is sooooo much better...... Im hoping this cures the oil loss problem and the just recent coolant loss problem..... It doesn't burn oil so this has to be it

**matt5112** · 02-10-2011

oil loss?

Generally not the LIM gasket.

Coolant yes, not oil. For the most part at least.

Unless its seeping out the sides.

**Skillet** · 02-10-2011

I would imagine most of it is going out the valve cover

**matt5112** · 02-10-2011

I guess it'd help if i actually read your first post

Its common.

get the grommets w/ gaskets and you'll be fine.

**Skillet** · 02-10-2011

Thanks again for the help...... Where could I get two front door speakers for a 2 door GTP. Pretty sure they are delco, I dont see bose anywhere on the radio..... If not speakers, part numbers would work.. Been searching the net with no finds

**a3gtp** · 02-10-2011

Originally Posted by Skillet

Thanks again for the help...... Where could I get two front door speakers for a 2 door GTP. Pretty sure they are delco, I dont see bose anywhere on the radio..... If not speakers, part numbers would work.. Been searching the net with no finds

The amount you'll pay for those oem garbage speakers would be better spent on a set of descent 5.25 components or 6.5 if you make an mdf adapter. Just saying.

**Skillet** · 02-10-2011

Yea i know. I got a good system in my truck.. This is just my work car..... Hook the oem's and go

**Skillet** · 02-16-2011

FML !!!! Only thing that was low was the coolant tank..... I brought the car up to operating temp and the radiator was full...... so I just filled the coolant tank with 50/50..... What the hell made that low coolant light come on then?

**BillBoost37** · 02-16-2011

FYL because you posted about oil and coolant loss that doesn't exist? Is there something wrong with you, most would be very happy.

If you never check the coolant, then it's possibly just normal evaporation over a few years, maybe a leak in the bottom of the bottle. Fill and keep an eye on it.