I took oil cap off my 98 Grand Am ( V6),and found what looked like cream colored sludge on bottom of oil cap and inside rim of crankcase opening. Also noticed antifreeze on dipstick.
2006-09-02 14:46:07 · 15 answers · asked by rodgw2000 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
You either have a bad head gasket (most likely) , a cracked head (possible but less likely) or a cracked engine block (rare) The V6 grand am is known for head gasket problems!!
Depending on the mileage of the engine, you can either replace the head gasket (and have the heads checked at a machine shop), or you will need to rebuild the entire engine!
2006-09-02 15:26:43 · answer #1 · answered by fire4511 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
There are many reasons for this. A cracked head, or bad head gasket are the most common reasons. Certainly the best senario is a head gasket which is easily replaced with some good basic mechanical skills and tools. If this has set off an "alarm" in your comuter, ie., check engine light, you'll have to reset your computer once your done. This is easily done by diconnecting both battery cables, which should have been done before you started, and holding the ends together for about 30 seconds. What this does is completely remove and stored codes that may be in the computer. It won't hurt anything; that's how it's done. Once you hook your battery back up, you should see no codes if everything is working properly. Back to the gasket; if you find that it is your head gasket and you do the work, MAKE SURE that you "burp" the cooling system when you're done. After you fill the cooling system, get the front of the car up in the air on ramps or something. Start the car with the radiator cap OFF and make sure that your heater is on HOT. Fill as necessary with whatever your prefered mixture of antifreeze is. My preferance is 70 parts water/ 30 parts antifreeze. Depending upon where you live, you may need more like 50/50 mix. As the car warms up, the level will drop slightly, and may burp back at you. This is normal. When it starts spitting HOT water and coolant, it's full. This will insure that you don't have any air pocket or air locks in your cooling system. Going in to winter, also make sure that your radiator cap is in good working order. A worn out pressure cap can give you all kinds of trouble. Good luck
2006-09-02 15:28:34 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
From lack of oil changes, probable a clogged PCV system. I've also seen cases of radiator thermostats being stuck in the open position and the car always being driven for less then 20 mimutes causing the coolent not to heat over 180 degrees and allow mositure to develop inturnally in the engine. I don't believe that is A/F at the tip of the dip stick, but rather water mositure. In the event of a cracked block or head gasket/intake manifold water leak, visit www.rxauto.com Thermagasket Corporation 1-866-780-9037 or www.crcindustries.com CRC Industries 1-800-272-8963 about the K and W Nanothechnology permanet headgasket and block repair or www.alumaseal. com 1-800-621-1251
2006-09-02 15:17:23 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
Probably a blown head gasket allowing engine coolant to leak into the oil ports of the engine block and down into the oil pan.
2006-09-02 15:11:55 · answer #4 · answered by Danny C 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Blown head gaskets or bad intake manifold engine is bad about warping Platic intake
2006-09-06 11:10:20 · answer #5 · answered by iamright2 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
probly a blown head gaskett or cracked head.also the 3400 and 3600 motors are bad about intake manifold gaskett leaks but i never seen it get in the oil from the intake.
2006-09-02 14:50:07 · answer #6 · answered by motorman19780 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Have your car towed to your local garage to get the head gasket replaced - don't drive it another mile or you'll kill your engine for sure!
If the head is cracked, you may want to drive it until it dies then have it hauled away to your local junk yard. Replacing a cracked head on a '98 usually isn't worth the $$ involved to have it fixed.
2006-09-02 14:55:46 · answer #7 · answered by Buddelia 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Get your head checked. It is a tipical problem with Grand ams. If you don't take care of it now yu will end up replacing your motor.
2006-09-02 14:55:49 · answer #8 · answered by dawn s 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
They have a plastic intake manifold that is prone to wrap.
Bad news ,stop driving and repair. See if you can replace with a metal aftermarket one.
2006-09-02 14:50:43 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
You may have a leaky head gasket or intake manifold gasket.
2006-09-02 14:50:06 · answer #10 · answered by ? 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋