Thread: Disabled vet with 04 GTP, comp g, slow coolant leak issue + oil pan issue

Thank you for your service! That looks like a pretty clean car for the money.

Check where the lower intake maifold meets the heads. If you see black plastic, then time to change the LIM gaskets to the new updated aluminum ones. The coolant leak is likely a coolant elbow. Dorman sells the aluminum ones in the "Help" section at most parts stores. If you have the LIM changed then I would flush everything again and replace the Dexcool with regular old green coolant. Also do the thermostat as it's probably gunked up too.

Oil drain plug may be stripped if it's leaking. Should be able to be repaired.

And FYI, that Tap-Shift trans is a special trans to that car so if it ever needs replacement you have to get another tap-shift trans.

Nice clean looking comp g! My advice to you is leave the tapshift alone, it's an automatic and knows when to shift on it's own so leave it in auto mode or be prepared to replace the trans down the road. Just about every comp g out there has had it's trans replaced/rebuilt at this point in time. I love all the other features of the comp g but the tapshift is silly.

I decided to have my family's mechanic do a full diagnostic check on my new 04 gtp, comp g. I "assumed" the most conservative approach on a new vehicle is to get an "expert opinion" first.

The only major mechanical issues were the "coolant leak" and "oil pan gasket" that I had already diagnosed and explained to the mechanic.

The coolant leak was an "elbow joint", located under the alternator area on the left side of the engine, as many board members diagnosed immediately.

Price: $287.71. for the repair, parts, labor, and they're putting in my Dex-cool and distilled water when it's finished. He's also putting in the aluminum "elbow joints" instead of the rubber joints.

I watched a video on YouTube on the repair, it took a civilian about 20 minutes to complete. Wish I had watched the video first, it looks like a pretty simple repair.

Does $287.71. seem honest? I'm not 100% sure if I want to use the same mechanic again.

He stated he doesn't have the "lift" for the oil pan carriage and can't change the oil pan gasket. It makes me slightly concerned as a simple oil pan gasket change should be something a good mechanic should be able to complete. He was extremely busy though which was one of the issues, (that much business would be a sign of a good repair shop, they are "recommended" and have good ratings located near the TPC, with rich, picky clients). He can't do the oil pan gasket anyway so I have to do it myself or find another repair shop.

Quotes so far on the oil pan gasket are $556 to $650. All repair shops are saying it is a 4.5 hour repair and needs a special crane for the oil pan carriage. That's exactly what the first mechanic said as well. (They all quoted from a computer system).

When I first diagnosed the leaking oil pan gasket it seemed like one of the most straight forward, KISS simple repairs I've ever seen: 1. Empty the oil. 2. Remove the oil pan. 3. Clean the oil pan and the area. 4. Replace the gasket. 5. Replace the oil pan. 6. Perform a standard oil change. 7. Clean the bottom of the vehicle when finished.

He also recommended a tune up, when convenient, but it is not a major concern right now.

One shop quoted me $1000 for a tune up! The current shop stated: $273.46. Several other tune up expert shops are quoting around $250 due to the fact they have to replace the spark plugs "behind the supercharger" and "they are hard to get to". I'll have to look at it again when I get it back, but most tune up "coupons" for tune up shop experts are $149.00.

Anyone have a good link on a simple tune-up on an 04 GTP compg? I could also use a link on the "oil pan gasket" change. Thanks!

Changing the elbows is easy. 25 bucks in parts with coolant and 1 to 1.5 hours most. 287 seems high.


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you should be able to do all the above on your own except maybe the oil pan gasket. if I remember right, you have to lower the cradle down to access the oil pan, which is a bit of a process.

what did you do in the army?

All grand prix’s seem to leak some oil around the pan eventually. Clean it up with some brake clean and Drive it for a while to see if you can better tell. Otherwise oil is cheap and as long as you keep it above a quart low it will run forever. And park it in the street.


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So is it the pan gasket leaking or the oil drain plug? Your original post said "2. The oil pan is leaking. From the main oil "plug/bolt". The oil pan is also really dirty and oily. Engine looks nice and clean up top, it's when I got under the vehicle that I found some issues. Really dirty/oily/leaking oil pan, dripping from the main oil bolt."

If it really is the pan gasket is it just the bolts where it is leaking around? Maybe try snugging up the bolts you can reach and see if it stops. If it truly is the pan gasket then you will have to do the recommended.