2002 3.4L losing coolant

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pittmike

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My 2002 GT 3.4L is losing a lot of coolant. This began when the recent sub zero temps started. I am in Pittsburgh area so not super cold but there were the sub zero stretches last couple weeks.

The only symptom I had which made me check the coolant level was no warm air out of heating vents. I added a bottle of coolant and was low when checking a couple days later. I thought this had slowed but may even seem faster now.

There is no coolant in oil and no tell tale white smoke. I cannot find a leak at all. Wherever the coolant is going is likely burning of motor or exhaust while driving? I was at mall so stopped at Sears and they had a look but no pressure test. All they could find was a tiny amount collect on driver side top of motor sort of under plenum? I rarely see any on the ground.

Any ideas? Or testing suggestions? Hope not head gasket.
 
You can through some dye in to see where it's leaking. Check all rubber hoses! The 2 large ones to the radiator, the small one from the reservoir tank to the radiator, even those 2 small hoses on top of the reservoir, don't forget the 2 heater hoses, and sometimes I have seen that black metal bypass corrode. After that, you could do compression test. Does the heat come back as you give it gas? Does it idle rougher or have loss of power.
 
The Sears guy double checked all the hoses. I looked best I can but in this weather and garage full wasn't easy for me. There is no loss of power or rough idling. No other symptom yet besides when the level goes low I lose the heat. Oh and does not change with acceleration.
 
One other bit of info. The small pool of coolant I mentioned seemed to be in the area below the upper intake manifold I think. Driver side.
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You might just replace those gaskets if they are not the metal kind. If they are plastic (black plastic as best you can see) just buy a gasket kit. early 3400s had lots of problems with those. Hit up rockauto for a kit. You can even buy a full set that comes with head gaskets if you want for about $150. Again if those are the old design, just go ahead and replace them; they will have problems sooner or later and it always comes sooner than you would like. Replacing the gaskets is not hard to do either. If you want you can take a picture if you want to brave the cold. PA is colder than TX here.
 
I work on my cars a ton. Intake gasket seems ok. Geez in winter a head gasket would be a huge job I think. But would save a lot.

Prior to that I am probably go to a garage that pressure and/or dye tests and see if I can get a concrete diagnosis.
 
Then you have an internal leak in addition to a minor exterior leak-you stated that you can't see any drips under the car just that small pool. Did you take those gaskets out and inspect them? If you end up doing a head gasket you should replace those anyway.
 
No I haven't taken anything apart yet.
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Well you're on the right trail. I hope not head gaskets since you would need to send them to a shop to make sure they are not warped. Do some testing and let us know! Best of luck and stay warm
 
You have to pressure test it but it sounds like the lower intake manifold gaskets.
 
Having pressure test done on Thursday. Guy I talked to there that has the stuff claims the in take manifolds most common on this.
 
^Yes lower intake manifold gaskets are known to be bad especially on early 3400s. Replace with the improved design
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Sorry I forgot to update the ending. Lower intake gasket shot. Replaced both upper and lower at the shop due to weather and time. Also, swapped water pump as seemed a bearing or something was bad and t stat.

Ok now but a little poorer. $600.
 
Good that it's fixed. Now all you have left that's prone to leaks are the hoses of the system. be sure to check them and make sure they don't feel weak.
 
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