Exploded Malibu

[GMFan]

My brother had a 1998 Chevy S-10 Blazer 4x4 that we use to take on long highway drives at 80mph through upstate NY. I remember on a bunch of occasions when we stopped somewhere for food off the highway we'd walk back to the car and someone would tell us that the truck was "peeing" coolant. Sure enough, there would be a puddle of coolant on the ground underneath.

The truck did this for some unknown reason. We simply topped it off. We never understood why it would leak coolant when parked after long highway trips in the heat. Perhaps the coolant would boil after the engine was shut off?

Anyway, the truck was fine until 145k miles when he got rid of it to lower his gas payments. The 4.3L Vortec 4300 V6 was a good motor...but I agree, every GM car we've owned has had some sort of gasket issue. My Saturn had intake manifold issues.

 

[sciphi]

Junk that thing fast!

Probably a LIM gasket let go from overheating. Those nylon gaskets were pieces of junk after a few years of early-formula Dex-Kill.

 

[The_Eric]

Originally Posted By: ltslimjim
Could be both, but hopefully this is the first time it overheated and can take it this once without a head gasket failure in any way. You've got to worry about the bearings, too.

Still, I'd compression test it after replacing the LIM gasket and run it on T5 from Wally World(if that is suitable for his vehicle?) until I verified the coolant entry into the oil no longer occurred(in case the LIM gasket install is botched in any way and he can monitor coolant levels in case a slight HG failure is allowing slight coolant entry by way of seepage but it is 'passable' for a compression test), also a UOA later on doesn't hurt...but again how much longer is he going to keep the car?

So, right away I'd do a 'brief' rinse cycle on the cheapest dino/filter ASAP once the LIM gasket is replaced($500 or less parts + labor). Frankly, I'd do that in the driveway right now if I knew my next drive(tow?) was to the shop to have it performed. Get the coolant out of the oil!

While at the shop, provide another round of cheap oil/filter, and ask the mechanic to change the oil while waiting on the LIM gasket to cure(assuming it's a fel pro permadry help kit anyway).

Compression test it AGAIN, perhaps another 2-3 months later and if the compression hasn't changed much at all(assuming the first one is within spec), it may have survived and the car isn't bad off. Then, he can sell/trade in with clean conscience you know.

I'd like to see a sample of oil used to 'rinse' after LIM job is done, but still want to know the outcome of this in any case.


Why on earth would you run a compression test on it AFTER replacing the gaskets? That could be a heck of a way to throw away both time and money. It'd be better to asses the compression first. If you've got a dead hole, then there's no sense in proceeding unless you intend to overhaul..

 

[ltslimjim]

You know, I initially approached this half-awake last night as I am now.

Anyways, I suppose I simply don't want to give up on this 'ole thing, so abused.

 

[eljefino]

All I read from this thread is

College kid hates boring car, kills it, Daddy buys another.

 

[Nick R]

Originally Posted By: eljefino
All I read from this thread is

College kid hates boring car, kills it, Daddy buys another.



And he makes it suddenly blow up on the offramp how...? And he and his girlfriend just bought a house, they are capable of buying a car.