LIM gaskets, who's done'em!?

[HAULIN'cutlASS]

Hey everybody, I don't post here very often, but read A LOT! Anyway, here's the rundown on the car: 98 cutlass 3100, ~140 on the clock, owned since it had ~20...

The car is BONE STOCK save for a drop in K&N and the outer most portion of the intake tube removed (the bend up to behind the headlight), and some unrelated suspension mods....

I have noticed recently that my low coolant light kicks on while accelerating (between 2-3500 rpms) then magically goes back off...Also that my coolant has been disappearing to the tune of ~1/3G per 3 months....not leaking onto the ground, just disappearing...
At WOT and high in the rpms, the delivery of power surges...felt like tranny was slipping, and it'd throw a check engine light. when scanned, it first said "random multiple misfire"...the most recent scan said "cylinder 5 misfire".
Also, there's an ominous looking puddle of orange fluid on top of the tranny, which appears to originate from around the water neck, which is conveniently located near cylinder 5....


I have serviced the tranny ( fluid and filter) at about 137,000
I just replaced the plugs and wires about a week ago

Could the root of my problem be the dreaded LIM gasket? Is this the normal area for them to fail? Also, if this IS the LIM gasket...anybody got a 3400 upper and lower set with throttle body for decently cheap? I'm not gonna tear it down that far without doing SOMETHING fun to it!

[SuzukiGhostRider]

The low coolant light is most likely you're either low on coolant or your sensor is weak/bad for coolant level. The disappearing coolant.... Have you checked your oil? Does it appear milky, like chocolate milkshake? What about your antifreeze , any oil in it? If you were leaking the coolant externally, I find it rather suspicious none makes it to the ground. You could be leaking it internally however. Pull the number 5 spark plug and tell us how it looks. While you have it out, take a light and look into the cylinder if you can. GL.

[HAULIN'cutlASS]

I never really thought about the sensor, but I suppose its a possibility. The oil looks good, no milkiness, no foam... the antifreeze on the other hand, I thought looked a little dark the last couple times I topped it up. This is the first Dexcool car I've owned, I just chocked it up as "that must be how it ages". Now, sometimes there's spot about the size of a 50 cent piece under the car when I leave in the morning, I've tried to check the color, but on the ground everything looks black...I guess I should put some card board or something under it....
pulling the plug will have to wait till tuesday or wednesday when I'm off work if the weather holds out, I'll keep you posted though. As far as looking in the cylinder goes...I'm not seeing that happening anytime soon without rocking the motor forward, which I'm sure my apartment manager would LOVE! Thanks for the help!