Coolant leak

[X11_STE]

My room mate bought a 2000 venture. Has a 3.4 has a coolant leak that I cant source. There is a discolored streak by the throttle body to intake but does not appear to be the source leak. Any other ideas?

J

[Purple pit]

Did you check the lower intake manifold gaskets? That is a common problem.

Wow an X11, I have not seen one in years. I just remember some school friend: "I got beat by a Citation last night". Me: "oh yeah(LOL)? Did it have a cowl looking hood and have X-11 on it?" Friend:"yeah it did" Me: "there is a reason why you lost, it has a V6 and not the junky four banger"

[TGP37]

Check under the oil fill cap. Is it covered with whipped oil/coolant? possible LIM leak

Is the tail pipe dripping moisture when the car is well warmed up (after a drive)? possible head gasket leak

With the coolant cold, open rad cap and top off. Start car and blip the throttle. Are there bubbles in the coolant? possible head gasket leak

Also check below the water pump. They can leak there as well, which is a simple replacement.

Throttle may also have a leak as some have coolant lines running in/out at the bottom of the throttle body.

Is there moisture at the bottom of the windshield inside the cab? Smells like syrup in the car? possible heater core leak

[X11_STE]

Purple, yea, the x-11's are definately a quiet power house. Bought an abandoned x-11 in Portland, Or. Did some minor things and drove it to Columbus, Oh. with out a gas gauge!!! Sadly, I found out on Thanksgiving that my poor X is cruising the great highway in the sky. Currently my DD is an '87 Celebrity Eurosport VR wagon. Documented as 1 of 57 ever made. Undocumented, this car is one of one as it was the only black VR wagon to have a factory L.E.D. tach that still works after 25 years & 202k.

TGP, Thanks for the suggestions, I will check them. With my luck, I'll be looking at one of those bastard engines with the TB coolant set-up.

[Purple pit]

Damn what happened to the X-11? That VR wagon sounds cool, but it sure needs to be a non DD car.

[X11_STE]

Damn what happened to the X-11? That VR wagon sounds cool, but it sure needs to be a non DD car.

Sorry for the long delay in responding, been afk for awhile. The x11? Well the short version is simply after I got it to ohio, I blew 2 transmissions in 6 months. Then it sat for a couple years before I towed it to florida. Once down here I took it to a body shop where I kinda worked part time off and on (being a black on black factory non a/c & non power steering in Fl. is a bad thing). While on vaca, I get a call that I had 3 days to claim my car before it was crushed because the body shop owner was in jail, blah blah blah. Claimed the car and found the owner stole my original 1 year only motor for drug money. Then it jumped the dolly in the parking lot & creased the pass. door. I worked on it at home off an on but lost interest so I gave it to a friend. Then he started a family and didnt do much with it. Then I found out on Thanksgiving that his mom cleaned house and crushed the x11, a 90 pontiac turbo, and several other cars. My car might have been spared if only I had transferred the title to florida from Or. but oh well, whats done is done.

Purple, I do see your point as a collector car might not be ideal for a DD, but remember, I bought it with 194k so it really doesnt qualify as a low mileage. Plus, it was the family truckster that was well maintained. And isnt the point of owning a collector car driving and enjoying it? Yes, the likelyhood of an accident goes up but...... why not? It has been to several car shows including the 2012 Daytona Turkey Rod Run as an "under construction" car and it always receives many comments & no fear of there being anything close to my car anywhere in the show.

[Purple pit]

Oh crap that was one of those crazy stories. I just thought you gave up. Man I don't ever want to go through something like that.

Yeah it's tough to have a car just sit. Wonder what the blue book on that would be. Bet it's hard to find out.

[X11_STE]

Believe me, I didnt want to let it go but when code enforcement is on your case......

Which car do you want to know the value of? The X-11 would be worth a couple grand while my VR wagon is worth 8k as it sits. If I restore it (which I'm doing slowly) it would be worth 15k.

[Purple pit]

Oh wow, 15k is a ton! I was thinking 9k max, that would still be alot for a car that most people don't know about. I sure didn't until now.

[X11_STE]

Well, check out eurosportvr.com . In the for sale section there is an 88 black wagon with alot of spare parts and some mild customization. He's asking 12k for his and it doesnt even have the upgraded interior or a tach. Also the '88 VR's were not documented so who knows how many where made.
Thats how I figured the value of my car @ 15k.

P.S. While your there, click on the "lost VR's" link and scroll all the way to the bottom. I have the VR body kit off that car & its one of only 3 known to have been made. Sadly the car is gone but parts remain.

[Purple pit]

That is a nice kit! Sure makes it look better(as in more than just a cab for kids).

[X11_STE]

Well, also think of this, my VR is kinda the grand pappy of the whole tuner craze! lol! <rolls eyes and so thankful that fad didnt last>.
Oh, and Purple, if you shudder at the idea of this rare car being a DD, should I also tell you I'm planning on putting the car on the track to be driven "in anger"?

[Purple pit]

Yeah,not too big on that. But I sure would like to hear how it does.