1997 Bonneville SE 3800 V6, coolant in air intake manifold

Tiny
BAFFLED24
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 ALL OTHER MAKES ALL OTHER MODELS
What would cause coolant to be in my air box? My car suddenly died after overheating pretty bad, and now it wont start at all. Someone thought it might be a headgasket, but after looking closely to different areas I opened the air intake and the air box was full of coolant. Both my radiator and coolant chambers were empty. I also noticed my oil level is way high and smells gassy. I just had a tune up and haven't ever had a problem with it overheating before, This is the first time it's overheated any ideas?
Wednesday, March 21st, 2007 AT 8:31 PM

1 Reply

Tiny
SERVICE WRITER
  • MECHANIC
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These are really common for a bad intake manifold. They are plastic and have a weak spot that the coolant damages it from pressure and heat.

The coolant gets into the cylinders and they misfire, dumping raw fuel into the oil.

You're fortunate that one of the cylinders didn't fill with coolant causing a hydrolic lock and toasting the engine.

DON'T DRIVE IT!
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Thursday, March 22nd, 2007 AT 6:02 AM

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