3.1 Trouble

[97Cutlass]

I just replaced the intake gaskets on my 97 Cutlass and things don't look too great. Here's a list of the problems.

1. Engine overheats really fast.
2. Heater blows cold air even when the engine is warm.
3. Radiator hoses get really stiff when motor is running.
4. I see alot of air bubbles in the overflow tank as the engine gets hotter.
5. I've tried bleeding the air out every which way possible with no success.

The car runs great but I know something isn't right. I also changed the thermostat and all the hoses. The water pump is only 1 month old. Does this sound like blown head gaskets or cracked or warped heads? Would the engine run as smooth as is does with these problems? Where could I find good, cheap heads if I need them(BESIDES THE SALVAGE YARDS)? This car has 238,000 miles and this is the first major breakdown. Old reliable. I'm going to keep this car until it hits 1Million miles. Thanks for any info for my problems.

[John Michael]

I had those symptoms #1, 2, and 4 in a Beretta V6 and it turned out to be a head gasket. It seemed to run perfectly with these symptoms too. For what it's worth...

[tractorman]

Yep, you got a leaking head gasket. There are WAYS of checking to see which head it is so's you only have to pull one, but you'd probably do well to change both gaskets.

The way I do it is I look over the head gasket real good. If I can find a place where the gasket was definitely leaking, then I don't worry much about a cracked head. Better check 'em with a straight edge too.

[97Cutlass]

Just want to ask this one more time before I tear the engine apart. Why don't the heater blow warm air? If the engine is overheating I thought the heater should work just fine. Going to tear it apart tomorrow.

[tractorman]

A leaking head gasket will cause combustion gas to get in the cooling system, which is why you haven't been able to bleed the air out, and it's why your cooling system immediately pressurizes when you run the engine. If there's air in the cooling system, then the water pump can't pump like it should, so coolant won't be flowing through the heater core like it should. OR, there could be so much air in the system that there's air in the heater core instead of antifreeze. Either way, your heater problem could easily be caused by a blown head gasket.

[Doubt_Incarnate]

there has to be collant in the core for it to get heat to blow. double check that you have enough coolant and try to get all the air out befor you dive in. other wise you could bust your knuckles on head gaskets needlessly and still not figure out bleeding the coolant system and be sitting on square 2 again (square 1 was the leaking gaskets).

[97Cutlass]

Well I started to take my car apart. Just hope the heads aren't cracked. Is it possible to reuse any of the new gaskets I used when I fixed the intake leaks? Should I replace the heads bolts or reuse them? Thanks for all the info!

[geoffinbc]

You have to replace 3X00 head bolts because they are torque to yield. They will not torque right again. Also do not reuse your intake gaskets. They have been crushed and already went through a few hot and cold cycles.

I would buy the new Felpro problem solver intake gaskets. Buy Felpro head gaskets too they are very good and a fair price.

[97Cutlass]

Do I have to buy the intake bolts from a GM dealer? Also should I replace any of the intake bolts? What parts store carries the Fel-Pro gaskets? I should have the heads off by the weekend. Work too many damn hours to get anything done.

[geoffinbc]

Don't worry about the intake bolts. Just clean and Lock Tite them. Red Locktite. FelPro should be sold at Advance or Napa

[tractorman]

The napa around here sells their own "napa" brand. The vast majority of parts stores sell fel-pro though. You shouldn't have any trouble finding them.

[97Cutlass]

I got the heads off yesterday. The heads look fine but I'm going to get them checked. I think the head gaskets were leaking. The left exhaust manifold had two broken bolts. What surprised me was the finish on the cylinder walls. You can still see the crosshatch marks after 238,000 miles. Can you get the exhaust manifold studs at a GM dealer?

[97Cutlass]

Where online can I either look at a blowed up view of the engine and related parts or look-up part #'s?

[1 sExy BuiCk]

the napa gaskets a garbage... i just got the fel-pro's for mine and the quality is by far better then any others i seen..especilly the plenum gaskets

napa's were like 1/4" thick cardboard

felpro's are metal with a rubbler seal..

[tractorman]

that's interesting. I haven't actually seen the napa gaskets... just always assumed they were similar to the old style felpros.

Anyways, the new metal/rubber felpros kick ass. I used those on my most recent LIM job on the lumina. I'll use them if the ol' corsica leaks again- the old plastic felpros have held for about 3 years and 20K miles though.