Not fixing the LIM leak

carsarecool · 02-14-2005, 02:12 PM

I searched and found a bunch of stuff on peoples' experiences with fixing the Lower Intake Manifold leak and diagnosing it but what happens when you dont get it fixed and its an internal leak? I read some stuff about having to get your motor replaced, is that a definite?

The low coolant light on our Alero (76,000 miles) has been coming on and i checked the oil cap the other day and found the millkshake-light brown crap under it- problem is i cant convince my mom how big of a problem it is and why its worth $700+. so what happens if you dont get it fixed for a while? it gets driven everyday...

either lemme know what you guys think or point me to a thread i missed that had some info about that.

Molson · 02-14-2005, 02:14 PM

enough coolant in the oil will fry the engine.

When she drives down the road and the whole works grind to a stop, then she'll know its a problem.

Blazes49 · 02-14-2005, 02:14 PM

What a monopoly that is on gaskets...haha, my car is in the shop today getting both gaskets replaced, same deal. FORTUNATELY for me, my extended warranty is valid until Nov. of this year. Now to your thread, yes, you do really need to get that taken care of. What year is the alero??

99GApunk · 02-14-2005, 04:12 PM

im having the dreaded LIM problem too, i know putting it off and all that is bad, i started to hear the machine gun type noise this morning, i wont be driving it to work tomorow.

but my question is, is it even safe enough for the engine for me to drive it to where i plan to get it fixed?

Ridenour · 02-14-2005, 04:39 PM

I'd vote for yeh, as long as it's less then like 10 miles at max. I would just try to not rev it over 2500 rpms.

Then again, you could always have it towed - better safe then sorry.

It depends how bad you think it is from the sound.

atc3434 · 02-14-2005, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 99GApunk

i started to hear the machine gun type noise this morning, i wont be driving it to work tomorow.

Too Late!!!

99GApunk · 02-14-2005, 04:56 PM

when i drove it from my gf's house to mine which is 2 to 3 miles the sound had dissappeared by the time i pulled into my driveway

im thinking it will be ok to drive to the shop. just figured id ask some more knowing people then me

99GApunk · 02-14-2005, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by atc3434

Too Late!!!

too late as in im ****ed? like how ****ed?

GrahamKracka · 02-14-2005, 05:07 PM

the internals are already damaged

let your mom learn the hard way...new car time

99GApunk · 02-14-2005, 05:10 PM

... definitely dont have enough for a new car

AznGA · 02-14-2005, 05:45 PM

I think mine just stopped leaking. I can see the leak on heads, but my coolent level stays the same, and the oil looks fine.

Mike Jung · 02-14-2005, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AznGA

I think mine just stopped leaking. I can see the leak on heads, but my coolent level stays the same, and the oil looks fine.

I would sugguest getting a 'Used Oil Analysis' done on a sample of your used motor oil.

See what it says for 'Test for Glycol' (in the oil).

Labs that can do it:
Blackstone Laboratories

WearCheck (They have a location in the Greater Toronto Area - Mississauga)

carsarecool · 02-14-2005, 06:25 PM

yeah its probly gonna be a "learn the hard way" and its a 99 alero

mcgrady · 02-14-2005, 06:31 PM

It only takes about 1/2 litre of coolant mixed in with engine oil to destroy the crankshaft bearings on the 3400. If you are hearing mechanical noise already, it's too late.

02-14-2005, 06:47 PM

I drove a good couple thousand miles before I figured out why the low coolant light kept coming on every damn 500 miles...and why I needed to keep putting coolant in.

I got it fixed when the coolant light came on every other day....no issues have arised due to this...it was about 5K miles more with the fixed LIM ($600 at dealership).....so yeah.

Pass · 02-14-2005, 07:37 PM

Don't ignore this issue and get it fixed asap.

Mines getting done this week.. 2000 grand am gt... its only got 52000 m on it......
its gonna cost me around 450 canadian... gtting parts at cost and labor my buddy is doing it.. (hes a gm machanic)

good luck....

Pass

02-14-2005, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pass

Don't ignore this issue and get it fixed asap.

Mines getting done this week.. 2000 grand am gt... its only got 52000 m on it......
its gonna cost me around 450 canadian... gtting parts at cost and labor my buddy is doing it.. (hes a gm machanic)

good luck....

Pass

Umm...what does $450 funny money work out to be USD? All the parts you need, it will come out to $110 USD.

badboy2451 · 02-14-2005, 07:58 PM

so i got the machine gun sound but it definitely isn't anywhere close to where the video sounded like...i was thinkin that it was just the piston slap and nothing else

the sound is vague, but it is there. anybody else has this low sound??

GaRedCoupe · 02-14-2005, 08:18 PM

If you know you would have to replace the engine due to not changing the gasket and just ignored it. I'd pretty much say your screwed. Not GM's fault when it go's so far.

99GApunk · 02-14-2005, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GaRedCoupe

If you know you would have to replace the engine due to not changing the gasket and just ignored it. I'd pretty much say your screwed. Not GM's fault when it go's so far.

well other than the recent low coolant light, my engine bay had no signs of leaks and my car has run perfectly fine, my coolant light came on id say about 2 weeks ago, i dont drive my car that much (43k on my 99) and i checked the level, it was low but not drastically so i didnt really think twice about it, just had it scheduled for me and my buddy to change the oil and try to find a leak later this week.

now all of a sudden my engine is ****... sucks.

02-14-2005, 02:12 PM	#1
carsarecool GAGT - Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Capital Region, NY Age: 35 Posts: 233 Vehicle: 2004 GTO	Not fixing the LIM leak I searched and found a bunch of stuff on peoples' experiences with fixing the Lower Intake Manifold leak and diagnosing it but what happens when you dont get it fixed and its an internal leak? I read some stuff about having to get your motor replaced, is that a definite? The low coolant light on our Alero (76,000 miles) has been coming on and i checked the oil cap the other day and found the millkshake-light brown crap under it- problem is i cant convince my mom how big of a problem it is and why its worth $700+. so what happens if you dont get it fixed for a while? it gets driven everyday... either lemme know what you guys think or point me to a thread i missed that had some info about that.

02-14-2005, 02:14 PM	#2
Molson Admininadian! AKA: Jim Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Great White Norf Age: 45 Posts: 3,695 Vehicle: Duramax, C10, MKZ	enough coolant in the oil will fry the engine. When she drives down the road and the whole works grind to a stop, then she'll know its a problem. __________________ Sig

02-14-2005, 02:14 PM	#3
Blazes49 Back home, DRINK!!! AKA: Dan Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Marlton, NJ Age: 39 Posts: 225 Vehicle: 2000 GT Coupe	What a monopoly that is on gaskets...haha, my car is in the shop today getting both gaskets replaced, same deal. FORTUNATELY for me, my extended warranty is valid until Nov. of this year. Now to your thread, yes, you do really need to get that taken care of. What year is the alero?? __________________ And Shepards we shall be, for thee my lord, for thee. Power hath descended forth from thy hand, that our feet may swiftly carry out thy command. We shall flow a river forth to thee, and teeming with souls shall it ever be. In nomine Patris, et Filius, Spiritus sanctus ____________________ My car (Updated 4/27/04)

02-14-2005, 04:12 PM	#4
99GApunk hockey? yes please AKA: Matt Join Date: May 2004 Location: franklin massachusetts Age: 36 Posts: 2,457 Vehicle: 04 gtp/compG	im having the dreaded LIM problem too, i know putting it off and all that is bad, i started to hear the machine gun type noise this morning, i wont be driving it to work tomorow. but my question is, is it even safe enough for the engine for me to drive it to where i plan to get it fixed? __________________ grand am: OUT! GTP.... IN! (check it out) Wizair cold air intake 235/50/18 BFG G-Force KDWS on 18" enkei zr1's in hyperblack front and rear STBs

02-14-2005, 04:56 PM	#7
99GApunk hockey? yes please AKA: Matt Join Date: May 2004 Location: franklin massachusetts Age: 36 Posts: 2,457 Vehicle: 04 gtp/compG	when i drove it from my gf's house to mine which is 2 to 3 miles the sound had dissappeared by the time i pulled into my driveway im thinking it will be ok to drive to the shop. just figured id ask some more knowing people then me __________________ grand am: OUT! GTP.... IN! (check it out) Wizair cold air intake 235/50/18 BFG G-Force KDWS on 18" enkei zr1's in hyperblack front and rear STBs

02-14-2005, 05:07 PM	#9
GrahamKracka WannaBe Fat Kid AKA: Richard Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: San Antonio, Texas Age: 36 Posts: 1,517 Vehicle: 2005 Nissan Titan	the internals are already damaged let your mom learn the hard way...new car time

02-14-2005, 05:10 PM	#10
99GApunk hockey? yes please AKA: Matt Join Date: May 2004 Location: franklin massachusetts Age: 36 Posts: 2,457 Vehicle: 04 gtp/compG	... definitely dont have enough for a new car __________________ grand am: OUT! GTP.... IN! (check it out) Wizair cold air intake 235/50/18 BFG G-Force KDWS on 18" enkei zr1's in hyperblack front and rear STBs Last edited by 99GApunk; 02-14-2005 at 05:17 PM.

02-14-2005, 05:45 PM	#11
AznGA GAGT - Junkie AKA: YJ Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Midwest Posts: 4,440 Vehicle: GAGT	I think mine just stopped leaking. I can see the leak on heads, but my coolent level stays the same, and the oil looks fine.

02-14-2005, 06:25 PM	#13
carsarecool GAGT - Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Capital Region, NY Age: 35 Posts: 233 Vehicle: 2004 GTO	yeah its probly gonna be a "learn the hard way" and its a 99 alero

02-14-2005, 06:31 PM	#14
mcgrady Piston Slap??? Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Moncton, NB Age: 46 Posts: 95 Vehicle: 2002 SE Sedan	It only takes about 1/2 litre of coolant mixed in with engine oil to destroy the crankshaft bearings on the 3400. If you are hearing mechanical noise already, it's too late.

02-14-2005, 06:47 PM	#15
Hexx Guest Posts: n/a	I drove a good couple thousand miles before I figured out why the low coolant light kept coming on every damn 500 miles...and why I needed to keep putting coolant in. I got it fixed when the coolant light came on every other day....no issues have arised due to this...it was about 5K miles more with the fixed LIM ($600 at dealership).....so yeah.

02-14-2005, 07:37 PM	#16
Pass GAGT - Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Essex, Canada Age: 37 Posts: 44 Vehicle: 2000 Grand Am GT	Don't ignore this issue and get it fixed asap. Mines getting done this week.. 2000 grand am gt... its only got 52000 m on it...... its gonna cost me around 450 canadian... gtting parts at cost and labor my buddy is doing it.. (hes a gm machanic) good luck.... Pass

02-14-2005, 07:58 PM	#18
badboy2451 GAGT - not so n00bee AKA: Zac Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: City of 3 rivers and 5 rings Age: 36 Posts: 1,426 Vehicle: 99 gt coupe	so i got the machine gun sound but it definitely isn't anywhere close to where the video sounded like...i was thinkin that it was just the piston slap and nothing else the sound is vague, but it is there. anybody else has this low sound??

02-14-2005, 08:18 PM	#19
GaRedCoupe GAGT - Member AKA: Eric Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Raymore Missouri Age: 34 Posts: 317 Vehicle: 1998 Grand Prix GTP	If you know you would have to replace the engine due to not changing the gasket and just ignored it. I'd pretty much say your screwed. Not GM's fault when it go's so far.

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