Diagnostic Help LA1 3.4 in 96 Chevy Lumina APV

[grafinlupus]

I have the subject van with almost 100K miles on it. There is quite a bit of H2O condensation on the inside of the oil fill cap and tan foam around the edge of it. I also have coolant loss, about a gallon every few weeks. No external coolant leaks visible. The engine has some tapping cold that quiets down to very slight when warm.
This, on top of the intermittent hesitation and loss of power (that I cannot get to happen again since I attached a fuel pressure gauge to a long hose and duct taped it to my windshield to see if it is the fuel pump) has me wondering if any of this is connected or the engine is just showing it's age. Also can anyone tell me how to get at the back sparkplugs in the subject car?
What does anyone have to assist on this please?

[korbendallas68]

One thing, it sounds like you have a major coolant leak!! Most likely its the head gaskets?... Holy crap, Gallon every couple weeks...
I think the tapping is normal for 3.4L's... If it goes away when it warms up that is.

[Compufreek]

If it is the head gasket that you are losing coolant from and not the intake manifold(more common problem it seems) then the coolant could be causeing the hesitation. You could have completely lost a cylinder or two. The tapping while running could be from a collapsed lifter because of the coolant in the oil, it seems I am having that same problem right after a topend rebuild to replace the intake man. gasket.

[Canada]

I'll bet its the lower intake manifold gaskets.....its about due for one.

Also, if the ticking is only on cold start-ups, thats piston slap.....don't worry.....all of us have it.

[geoffinbc]

Im gonna say you will need a rebuild Like NOW if you are consuming that much coolant into the oil.