Project: Getting Kicked out of the House

[Dudek]

Correct me if im wrong, but wouldnt it be possible for an engine to lose compression via a head gasket? If the purpose is to look for valve or ring wear, that would be a misleading test no?

Im reading alot about the issues intake gaskets cause but i havent seen anything about burning coolant, and it still seems like it is leaking from the bottom side of the heads.

the usual reason to do a compression test is to check and see if the head gasket is bad, rings or possible a valve and itll identify which cylinder is having issues
you can also do a coolant system pressure test and youll be able to see/hear it hissing where your having a coolant system leak.


either way to do a head gasket job, there isnt much of a write up needed..its just like any other vehicle and i was able to do it in my garage by myself fairly easy and this was my first head gasket job.
if you wanna go thru with it perhaps one day soon here i could give ya a hand.

[JoeliusZ28]

Alright, a buddy of mine has a compression test kit. Looks like we'll start with that. I know the intake gaskets are smoked on this thing which are probably causing most of my issues even if it needs head gaskets too. I also found that the HVAC is stuck on defrost and the brakes feel weak - so that confirms some vacuum leak going on.

What is the normal spec for compression on the 3.8?

[Boost Addict]

I wouldn't bother with a compression test. You obviously know it's losing coolant, do a leak down to determine if its a head gasket or not. That or use a pressure tester and see how long it takes to bleed off.

[Dudek]

yea going off everything your telling me
i would personally start with a coolant system pressure tester in a quiet place and try to pin point where its leaking

[JoeliusZ28]

yea going off everything your telling me
i would personally start with a coolant system pressure tester in a quiet place and try to pin point where its leaking

Well the coolant system is definitely leaking the most at the intake gaskets, so that would be the first place it would leak I am sure.

[Dudek]

Well the coolant system is definitely leaking the most at the intake gaskets, so that would be the first place it would leak I am sure.

if you already know this
i would follow up with a compression test to ensure the head gaskets and everything else looks alright then
if that checks out, you should be fine to just do lower intake gasket and have a running car

[JoeliusZ28]

if you already know this
i would follow up with a compression test to ensure the head gaskets and everything else looks alright then
if that checks out, you should be fine to just do lower intake gasket and have a running car

I don't think I am going to get that lucky, but I'm going to get working on diagnosing the head gaskets anyway. i believe burning coolant on the manifolds (both sides) is pretty indicative of a head gasket though.

[jakes_GSXR]

Don't put dexcool in that thing or anything else for that matter. I've heard its found to cause cooling issues and gunks up passage ways. Don't believe its sold anymore but who knows if you have some laying around.

[Darren]

Don't put dexcool in that thing or anything else for that matter. I've heard its found to cause cooling issues and gunks up passage ways. Don't believe its sold anymore but who knows if you have some laying around.

dexcool is the orange stuff right? My gf's grand prix calls for that and says to use only that...

[JoeliusZ28]

Don't put dexcool in that thing or anything else for that matter. I've heard its found to cause cooling issues and gunks up passage ways. Don't believe its sold anymore but who knows if you have some laying around.

I just put dexcool in my truck yesterday. I agree with you, I keep a strong eye on that s***. Whoever had this car mixed green and orange and that is obviously quite bad...


On a different note - anyone know of any major differences between 96 and 97 on the 3.8Ls ?

[MP81]

Pinkish orange, yes.

The new Dexcool is fine.

[97rs4life]

I just put dexcool in my truck yesterday. I agree with you, I keep a strong eye on that s***. Whoever had this car mixed green and orange and that is obviously quite bad...


On a different note - anyone know of any major differences between 96 and 97 on the 3.8Ls ?

dash is different, pcm is not tuneable in 96, 97 it is. 97 pcm is plug and play in a 96. engine is the same, suspension same, fuel system same, pretty much the same. lol

[bri2203]

Don't put dexcool in that thing or anything else for that matter. I've heard its found to cause cooling issues and gunks up passage ways. Don't believe its sold anymore but who knows if you have some laying around.

It is still sold and comes in new vehicles. The radiato shop I deal with they suggest changing orange stuff at 4 years-70,000 miles vs the 5/100,00 they advertise it with

[JoeliusZ28]

dash is different, pcm is not tuneable in 96, 97 it is. 97 pcm is plug and play in a 96. engine is the same, suspension same, fuel system same, pretty much the same. lol

thanks for the info. I had a line on a complete engine but its sold already.

[MP81]

It is still sold and comes in new vehicles. The radiato shop I deal with they suggest changing orange stuff at 4 years-70,000 miles vs the 5/100,00 they advertise it with

Well, I should be good for another 70k then, considering I just changed it all, hahaha.