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Problem with my 2002 CHEVY MALIBU
3.1L
GM Computer codes = NO
Repairs done prior = ENGINE REPLACEMENT, USED BUT GOOD.
NEW WATER PUMP, T-STAT, INTAKE GASKETS, RADIATOR, HOSES AND
COOLANT TEMP SENSOR.
Repair for his problem = MULTIPLE T-STATS FROM DIFFERENT SUPPLIERS
INCLUDING DEALER. TEMP SENSOR. RESERVOIR AND CAP. BLOCK TEST.
GM tech = KK
question = TRYING TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT...
'O2 CHEVY MALIBU 3.1L OVERHEATED AND BLEW MOTOR. REPLACED WITH A
GOOD ONE FROM A BUICK CENTURY. PRIOR TO INSTALLATION, REPLACED
INTAKE GASKETS, T-STAT, W/P, PLUGS, OIL PAN GASKETS AND THE TIMING
COVER (DUE TO SLIGHT PULLEY MOUNTING DIFFERENCE) START AND RUN
ENGINE IN BAY AND ALL IS GOOD. ROAD TEST GOOD. RECHECK GOOD. GIVE
TO CUSTOMER AND OVERHEATS IN FIRST FEW MILES. THEY PICKED IT UP THE
NEXT DAY. AFTER RECHECKING MULTIPLE TIMES, FOUND THAT IT ONLY
OVERHEATS FOR A MOMENT, PUSHES A LITTLE COOLANT OUT OVERFLOW,
AND GOES BACK TO NORMAL AND REMAINS GOOD FOR THE REST OF THE
DAY. IT WILL ONLY DO THIS AFTER THE ENGINE COOLS. IT WILL ONLY
OVERHEAT ONCE OR TWICE DURING THE WARM UP CYCLE ONLY, THEN IT'S
OK. TRIED MULTIPLE T-STATS, REPLACED HOSES AND RADIATOR. STILL DOES
IT. TOOK T-STAT OUT OF VEHICLE AND IT STILL HAPPENS. AFTER REPLACING
EVERY PART OF THE COOLING SYSTEM MULTIPLE TIMES, IT STILL HAPPENS!
LAST IDEA WE HAVE IS THERE IS A CRACK INSIDE MOTOR THAT ONLY OPENS A
CERTAIN TEMP !
AND SEALS BACK UP. WE JUST CANNOT FIND ANY EVIDENCE OF THIS.
BUT CATCHING IT AT THE RIGHT TEMP IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE. DOES THIS
SOUND LIKE A POSSIBILITY TO YOU? I WOULD THINK IT SHOULD SHOW ON A
BLOCK TEST AT ANYTIME BUT IT DOESN'T.
BY-THE-WAY, MY NAME IS MATT. I AM THE SERVICE MANAGER IN
JACKSONVILLE, FL. RECENTLY PUT DOWN THE TOOLS TO TRY MANAGER. 15
YRS IN SHOP PRIOR. 10YRS AT GM DEALER. THE TECH WORKING ON CAR IS
ALSO GM CERT. AND 35 YRS EXP.
OWNER ALSO EXPERIENCED AND AT A LOSS.
DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEAS OR SUGGESTIONS?
THANKS FOR ANY HELP, MATT
P.S. LOOKING FOR A GOOD SITE LIKE THIS TO USE REGULARLY. I'M TRYING IT
OUT FIRST AND IF IT GOES WELL, WE WILL MAKE REGULAR CONTRIBUTIONS.
KK:
Well, I've go to say right off the bat, this is a head gasket problem. This sure does
not sound like the original problem that blew the engine is still there. The tech may
have replaced the intake gaskets because they were leaking, but the rear head,
passenger side corner leaking coolant may have been wet because of the intake.
Easy to miss that. Even if not leaking externally, this is a good sign of a head gasket
problem. Your GM tech should be familiar that the rear head is very common to have
a blown gasket. Most of the time leak externally, but not always. Have seen these
exact conditions a few times, as well as our tech JK. They will overheat once or twice
during the warm up cycle, burp, then be fine all day long. Sometimes you can catch
it with the cooling system dye test looking for combustion gases.I would remove both
heads and send them out to have checked for cracks just to safe.
3.1L
GM Computer codes = NO
Repairs done prior = ENGINE REPLACEMENT, USED BUT GOOD.
NEW WATER PUMP, T-STAT, INTAKE GASKETS, RADIATOR, HOSES AND
COOLANT TEMP SENSOR.
Repair for his problem = MULTIPLE T-STATS FROM DIFFERENT SUPPLIERS
INCLUDING DEALER. TEMP SENSOR. RESERVOIR AND CAP. BLOCK TEST.
GM tech = KK
question = TRYING TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT...
'O2 CHEVY MALIBU 3.1L OVERHEATED AND BLEW MOTOR. REPLACED WITH A
GOOD ONE FROM A BUICK CENTURY. PRIOR TO INSTALLATION, REPLACED
INTAKE GASKETS, T-STAT, W/P, PLUGS, OIL PAN GASKETS AND THE TIMING
COVER (DUE TO SLIGHT PULLEY MOUNTING DIFFERENCE) START AND RUN
ENGINE IN BAY AND ALL IS GOOD. ROAD TEST GOOD. RECHECK GOOD. GIVE
TO CUSTOMER AND OVERHEATS IN FIRST FEW MILES. THEY PICKED IT UP THE
NEXT DAY. AFTER RECHECKING MULTIPLE TIMES, FOUND THAT IT ONLY
OVERHEATS FOR A MOMENT, PUSHES A LITTLE COOLANT OUT OVERFLOW,
AND GOES BACK TO NORMAL AND REMAINS GOOD FOR THE REST OF THE
DAY. IT WILL ONLY DO THIS AFTER THE ENGINE COOLS. IT WILL ONLY
OVERHEAT ONCE OR TWICE DURING THE WARM UP CYCLE ONLY, THEN IT'S
OK. TRIED MULTIPLE T-STATS, REPLACED HOSES AND RADIATOR. STILL DOES
IT. TOOK T-STAT OUT OF VEHICLE AND IT STILL HAPPENS. AFTER REPLACING
EVERY PART OF THE COOLING SYSTEM MULTIPLE TIMES, IT STILL HAPPENS!
LAST IDEA WE HAVE IS THERE IS A CRACK INSIDE MOTOR THAT ONLY OPENS A
CERTAIN TEMP !
AND SEALS BACK UP. WE JUST CANNOT FIND ANY EVIDENCE OF THIS.
BUT CATCHING IT AT THE RIGHT TEMP IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE. DOES THIS
SOUND LIKE A POSSIBILITY TO YOU? I WOULD THINK IT SHOULD SHOW ON A
BLOCK TEST AT ANYTIME BUT IT DOESN'T.
BY-THE-WAY, MY NAME IS MATT. I AM THE SERVICE MANAGER IN
JACKSONVILLE, FL. RECENTLY PUT DOWN THE TOOLS TO TRY MANAGER. 15
YRS IN SHOP PRIOR. 10YRS AT GM DEALER. THE TECH WORKING ON CAR IS
ALSO GM CERT. AND 35 YRS EXP.
OWNER ALSO EXPERIENCED AND AT A LOSS.
DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEAS OR SUGGESTIONS?
THANKS FOR ANY HELP, MATT
P.S. LOOKING FOR A GOOD SITE LIKE THIS TO USE REGULARLY. I'M TRYING IT
OUT FIRST AND IF IT GOES WELL, WE WILL MAKE REGULAR CONTRIBUTIONS.
KK:
Well, I've go to say right off the bat, this is a head gasket problem. This sure does
not sound like the original problem that blew the engine is still there. The tech may
have replaced the intake gaskets because they were leaking, but the rear head,
passenger side corner leaking coolant may have been wet because of the intake.
Easy to miss that. Even if not leaking externally, this is a good sign of a head gasket
problem. Your GM tech should be familiar that the rear head is very common to have
a blown gasket. Most of the time leak externally, but not always. Have seen these
exact conditions a few times, as well as our tech JK. They will overheat once or twice
during the warm up cycle, burp, then be fine all day long. Sometimes you can catch
it with the cooling system dye test looking for combustion gases.I would remove both
heads and send them out to have checked for cracks just to safe.
/
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