playing mechanic

[Bradley G]

I did an complete upper and lower intake gasket kit on the daughters car last week.
The radiator lamp came on and stayed on.
A mechanic at work diagnosed the coolant leak by the thermostat housing.
It is a '98 Malibu with 116K has a 3.1L v-6.
The guys at work told me to throw a can of Bars leak in it an forget about it.
Upper gasket kit is a big job on this car cause the valve covers, TB, ps pump , Thermostat/ housing, alternator, upper & lower intake, ign. coil pack, push rods, ect. all have to come off to get to the lower manifold gasket wher the coolant leak was .
I put it all back to gether and had a gas leak by the fuel return line.
Turns out the o ring had come off the end of the return fuel line connector.
I found it after I had given up and was sweeping up the driveway.
I thought i had broken the fuel line, but it was just the missing o ring.
The car feels like it has twice the power, and I'm betting on improved mileage too.

[Local Boy]

Way to hang in there...Brutha...

That's how we all learn...

Everyone has stories of their own...

I'll bet you won't make that mistake again...lol

Good job!

ALOHA

[Dragcity]

Check, check, double check, triple check. When all done, touch everything you took off/put on and ask "did I check that"?

Too many friggin' parts these days....

[Blackmobile]

Check, check, double check, triple check. When all done, touch everything you took off/put on and ask "did I check that"?

Too many friggin' parts these days....

There are no smarter words to wrench by. :bows:

[justbob]

Sounds like it was a pita, kinda like this Hyundai Accent i'm wrenching for the father in law. Fuel pump & filter, Timing belt, tensioner, water pump and belts and this car has fought me the hole way thru! Just trying to order parts is like pulling teeth.

[jgc61sr2002]

Brad nice job.:D Your mech. whould have charged you more than the car is worth.

[Bradley G]

The partz cost more than the car is worth!:P
Brad nice job.:D Your mech. whould have charged you more than the car is worth.

[Breadfan]

Nice Job! I've been there, I really mean it - literally!

On a 3.4L V6 GM...

They're notorious for LIM failures. Same designs as the 3.1. It was my sisters '02 Grand Am that she used to have. You're right, a rather big job, down to the heads, pushrods come out, bunch of other stuff...

I did similar to you, I forgot to sinch down a hard coolant hose and it popped loose on the test drive, spilled coolant everyhwere. A quick fix though!

So yeah, I know how you feel, but same result car ran great afterwards!

[Bradley G]

Got another call today the car was leaking coolant.
Somebody jinxed me!:P
A hose came loose, same kind Breadfan is referring to , looks like no big deal to fix.

[justbob]

Honesty, i like that!

[Bradley G]

If you were referring to me, It was actually was lazy of me not to triple check this particular nut that holds the hard coolant line tight to the block.
It was very difficult to reach.
I ended up using a 3/8" deep well 13 mm socket & swivel and long extention to reach it.
The car is fixed and awaiting more evaporative emissions trouble shooting, to resolve a check engine lamp throwing three different codes.

Honesty, i like that!