my 2000 malibu has been using antifreeze like crazy---what is up with this???

Question

i have checked the oil and it is ok---any body have any ideas what could be going on???

OK thinking now it is the head gasket---BUT i know there is nothing in the oil and it is not leaking!!!! how much is this going to cost me???

Thanks to all that answered my question--I took it in and it was the intake---and yep--it is gonna cost me! at least I know what is going on!!!!!

Answer 1

How do you like the V6? Wait, why did I assume you had a V6? Because the 3.4 and 3.8 V6's that GM made from 1999 to 2005 are notorious for leaky intake manifold gaskets. The second problem is that they are also known for faulty or sticky coolant level sensors. The first thing to do is check that you are actually low on coolant before you fill it up. The coolant reservoir actually has a drain, and excess filling will actually drain out of the reservoir. The tank, or reservoir, will have 2 lines on the engine side labeled hot and cold. Do not fill it above the hot line.

If you have been good and using the reddish Dex cool, and filling it only when it gets low and it is using at least a gallon every 3 months. Take it to the shop to have the coolant system pressure tested. It could be anything from a loose hose, $20, to a leaky intake manifold gasket, $800. If it is the manifold gasket, have them do the spark plugs and wires while they have the intake off. You don't have to go to the dealer, just about any shop will do. Probably a little more serious then a Midas or generic brake and muffler shop.

Answer 2

Have you noticed any puddles of green liquid under your car? Or any unusal smoke from the tailpipe? Why are you checking your oil if you are low on antifreeze? If the color of your oil seems milky, then you have a bad head gasket. If you see green puddles under the car then it could possibly be, defective water pump, leaking radiator or heater hose or bypass hose, a leaking overflow bottle, leaking readiator or leaking freeze out plugs. Some of these ore simple repairs, and some are not so simple repairs. Do you notice any fogging inside the car on your windshield or any dampness on your carpet by the passenger side floor area> If so, then you would have a leaking heater core. If you see or smell an unusal odor from the tailpipe, then this is a sign of a bad headgasket. How does the engine run? Does it run smooth? Or does it run poorly? Are you overheating at all? Have you ever overheated recently? All indications of a bad headgasket. Last thing, but this is rare and i have come across this once in a while, is a bad transmission modulator. This part runs off vacuum, and vacuum is from the engine and the engine contains antifreeze.The vacuum sucks the coolant into the trans modulator and burns off . Check your trans fluid for unusal contamination. This is a remote possibilty, so i really wouldnt look for this as the problem unless you have exhausted all other areas to look for your problem. i covered the most problematic areas for you to look, so Good Luck and write to me if you have any questions or problem.

Answer 3

If there is not coolant on the ground or steam when you open the hood it is most likely burning it depending on the engine size it could be an intake manifold leaking or a head gasket be sure to look at your oil if the oil looks like a chocolate milk shake than you have an internal leak and don't run the engine you could do alot more damage and blow your engine you need to have it pressure tested or dye tested this will most certanley point you in the right direction hope this helps you !!

Answer 4

The coolant in a 2000 Malibu is Dex-cool which is orange in color. Look for puddles under the car for the obvious leaks. I had a leaking water pump in my '98 GMC that didn't show up the engine was warm. Take the car to a mechanic and have him pressure test the cooling system.

Answer 5

Look for a leak otherwise check your exhaust emmisions if when the engine is warm the gases are white then you could have a blown head gasket,also check your engine oil if it has gone creamy and the level has risen that would point to the same problem.

Answer 6

It doesnt have to be in the oil to be a bad head gasket, what colour is your exhaust?Is it white all the time?
If so the its the head gasket. If you have no leaks is proberly it, also check under your heater core and see if thats leaking under your dash, youd smell it too. Good luck!

Answer 7

IF
1. You're seeing big clouds of white smoke out your tail pipe.
(Most likely caused by a broken head gasket or cracked head)
2. You see fluid inside the passenger compartment of the vehicle.
Touch the floor and see if it's damp.
(Caused by a bad heater core)
3. Fluid coming out the resevoir.
(Check your radiator cap. If the cap is old, it won't hold proper pressure, and hot water will just push past it and over flow out the resevoir.)
4. Look for leaks underneath your vehicle and follow it up.
(Could be a bad water pump or leaking radiator)

Answer 8

You could have a slow leak somewhere in your coolant system or a shot head gasket. You should have it checked by a mechanic asap. Don't ignore it, I did and ended up with a cracked cylinder head.

Answer 9

demanding to have self belief that this could be a valid question, and not created to verify how human beings will react. I even asked my 20 twelve months previous son if he thought human beings would desire to truly be THIS stupid. He nodded confident. surprising. 2000 Flushes and antifreeze serve 2 thoroughly diverse purposes, and are composed of thoroughly diverse chemical ingredients. basically with the aid of fact your antifreeze could be blue, does no longer advise that that is interchangeable with yet another chemical it is blue. Hmmm, does this advise which you will possibly attempt soaking your 2000 flushes in water and positioned that mixture into your automobile radiator? yet then, who's conscious? You asked a moronic question.... basically 2% of the water in the international is sparkling water. in my opinion, i think of goods like 2000 flushes should not be used at first. in case you flush your rest room once you employ it, and supply it a rapid graceful each morning, there's no would desire to function unneeded chemical ingredients into our water gadget.

Answer 10

it has to be coming out somewhere. look underneath or put some cardboard under when parking. it has to be dripping somewhere. don't put sealant in it. you will have more problems. open the hood after driving, maybe you can see steam. it sounds like a head gasket. but if the oil is not milky maybe not. also look while running iif it is a water pump you will notice immediately