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Thread: 99 Oldsmobile alero head gaskets leaking help

  1. #1
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    99 Oldsmobile alero head gaskets leaking help

    Got an 99 Oldsmobile alero my gf has and I have had to deal with but I'm trying to fix her up to unload it on someone haha. It runs ok but the head gaskets are seeping coolant. Got the oil changed once and the guy said its a common problem. Said it used stretch bolts like the Vw I had and also leaked fluids. From my previous deal with the Vw I took the head sent it to the machine shop thinking it had been overheated and warped but this wasn't the case at all. The head gasket didn't even have any problems with it either. So I'm thinking I could buy new stupid stretch bolts and torq them and be just fine. Anyone have any input or experience with the 3.4l v6 in this alero

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    The moderately moderate moderator Turbo Mopar Staff
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    Re: 99 Oldsmobile alero head gaskets leaking help

    Have you had the intake gaskets done yet? I worked for GM and rarely saw head gaskets unless it had been badly overheated or never changed the coolant. The intake gaskets are far more common.
    Bryan
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    Re: 99 Oldsmobile alero head gaskets leaking help

    Same engine as the 2.8 V6 from over the years, nothing special about it and IIRC, bolts aren't TTY either. Its a common problem due to the aluminum head and iron block, and alot of people overheat them all the time, especially because the intakes leak like a sieve. Some heads crack but mostly new gaskets, resurface and done.
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    Re: 99 Oldsmobile alero head gaskets leaking help

    Quote Originally Posted by turbovanman View Post
    Same engine as the 2.8 V6 from over the years, nothing special about it and IIRC, bolts are TTY either. Its a common problem due to the aluminum head and iron block, and alot of people overheat them all the time, especially because the intakes leak like a sieve. Some heads crack but mostly new gaskets, resurface and done.
    Exactly why I asked if the intake gaskets are leaking.
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    Re: 99 Oldsmobile alero head gaskets leaking help

    Quote Originally Posted by black86glhs View Post
    Have you had the intake gaskets done yet? I worked for GM and rarely saw head gaskets unless it had been badly overheated or never changed the coolant. The intake gaskets are far more common.
    Since we have had the car no they have not. And the way the car was kept. Before we got it I highly doubt it. It was overheated once due to the previous owner not putting bolts back on one of the coolant tubes but didn't start leaking till many thousand miles after that. I honestly cannot tell if it's the intake. Will have to pressure wash it and see from there. Trying not to put much time or money into it. Wasn't there to look at the car when they bought it was the first problem.

    Bolts arnt tty?

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    Re: 99 Oldsmobile alero head gaskets leaking help

    Torque to yield he means.

    Its a 3400 so 10-1 its the intake gaskets. Ive done enough of them God knows. Look on either side of the engine down in the galley, thats a pretty common spot

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    Re: 99 Oldsmobile alero head gaskets leaking help

    Quote Originally Posted by Orangetona View Post
    Torque to yield he means.

    Its a 3400 so 10-1 its the intake gaskets. Ive done enough of them God knows. Look on either side of the engine down in the galley, thats a pretty common spot
    I thought they were a stretch bolt setup. Forget where I heard that from tho. Could be wrong. Have been before. I'll take a look at it after work tomorrow. I'll be workin on my cars all night it seems. It needs a ac compressor also. Leaking out the front seal. Yay

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    Re: 99 Oldsmobile alero head gaskets leaking help

    I don't recall them being TTY. I've never replaced them doing head gaskets.
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    Re: 99 Oldsmobile alero head gaskets leaking help

    Honestly, idk how much merit it carries, but our system says its strongly recommended that they are changed. If you've done it without replacing them then i'd say its pretty safe.

    If this is your first go around with the 3400, you'll be there longer than tonight. Make sure you keep the pushrods in order. They are different lengths.

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    Re: 99 Oldsmobile alero head gaskets leaking help

    They are torque to yeild... They also came out with revised torque specs after +03 (along with metal gaskets) to stop the LIM gasket issue on the 3.4's

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    Re: 99 Oldsmobile alero head gaskets leaking help

    Quote Originally Posted by Orangetona View Post
    Honestly, idk how much merit it carries, but our system says its strongly recommended that they are changed. If you've done it without replacing them then i'd say its pretty safe.

    If this is your first go around with the 3400, you'll be there longer than tonight. Make sure you keep the pushrods in order. They are different lengths.
    Definitely good to know. I am unsure how into this I want to get honestly. If its the intake gasket I'll do it but I'm not sure if i want to go thru all the trouble of pulling the heads

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    Re: 99 Oldsmobile alero head gaskets leaking help

    I'd call it an opportunity to see if later heads and intake make it faster
    DD1: '02 T&C Ltd, 3.8 AWD. DD2: '15 Versa Note SV, replacing.. DDx: '14 Versa Note SV << freshly killded :( ....... Projects: '88 Voyager 3.0, Auto with shift kit, timing advance, walker sound FX muffler on 15" pumpers wrapped in 215/65/R15 H rated Nexens.... and a '95 phord escort wagon PnP head << Both may need to go :( ..... I like 3.0s ... so??? ... stop looking at me like I've got two heads!

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    Re: 99 Oldsmobile alero head gaskets leaking help

    Quote Originally Posted by bgbmxer View Post
    Definitely good to know. I am unsure how into this I want to get honestly. If its the intake gasket I'll do it but I'm not sure if i want to go thru all the trouble of pulling the heads
    Its not that bad.
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    Re: 99 Oldsmobile alero head gaskets leaking help

    Quote Originally Posted by Young Gun View Post
    They are torque to yeild... They also came out with revised torque specs after +03 (along with metal gaskets) to stop the LIM gasket issue on the 3.4's
    Which still didn't help that much. Just a crap design mainly.

    ---------- Post added at 07:01 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:59 PM ----------

    Quote Originally Posted by turbovanman View Post
    Its not that bad.
    Depends on how mechanically inclined you are.

    bgbmxer, let me put it this way. Essentially to do the head gaskets, all it requires over doing the LIM is taking the crossover pipe off, and unbolting the heads. You're literally RIGHT there. Simon is right though, its not bad, other than the power steering pump being a pita.

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    Re: 99 Oldsmobile alero head gaskets leaking help

    Quote Originally Posted by Orangetona View Post
    Which still didn't help that much. Just a crap design mainly.
    Exactly, they still leak.


    Quote Originally Posted by Orangetona View Post
    Depends on how mechanically inclined you are.

    bgbmxer, let me put it this way. Essentially to do the head gaskets, all it requires over doing the LIM is taking the crossover pipe off, and unbolting the heads. You're literally RIGHT there. Simon is right though, its not bad, other than the power steering pump being a pita.
    If you can fix a turbo mopar, you can fix the 3.4,
    1989 FWD Turbo Caravan-2.5 TIII, GT35R, auto, a/c, cruise, pwr windows/locks, fully loaded with interior and ran with full exhaust. RETIRED FOR A FEW YEARS! 12.57@104 :O)
    1984 Chev Getaway van, 6.2 Diesel with a remote mounted turbo setup burning WMO-For sale.
    2003 GSW 2.0L TDI, auto, fully loaded, modified, 360K-wife's.
    2004 GSW TDI, 5 speed, fully loaded, modified.

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    Re: 99 Oldsmobile alero head gaskets leaking help

    Quote Originally Posted by turbovanman View Post
    If you can fix a turbo mopar, you can fix the 3.4,
    True true. Id rather work on an 8v TM all day though haha. Im kind of worn out from fixing 60* V6s lmao. I know I could say the same about TMs but they are way more fun.

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    Re: 99 Oldsmobile alero head gaskets leaking help

    Quote Originally Posted by Orangetona View Post
    True true. Id rather work on an 8v TM all day though haha. Im kind of worn out from fixing 60* V6s lmao. I know I could say the same about TMs but they are way more fun.
    3.4's pay more, hehehe but agreed, the TURBO 2.2's and 2.5's are more fun to drive,
    1989 FWD Turbo Caravan-2.5 TIII, GT35R, auto, a/c, cruise, pwr windows/locks, fully loaded with interior and ran with full exhaust. RETIRED FOR A FEW YEARS! 12.57@104 :O)
    1984 Chev Getaway van, 6.2 Diesel with a remote mounted turbo setup burning WMO-For sale.
    2003 GSW 2.0L TDI, auto, fully loaded, modified, 360K-wife's.
    2004 GSW TDI, 5 speed, fully loaded, modified.

    Aurora ignition wires for sale. Link to info

    Super60 roller cams or custom/billet cams. Link to info

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    Re: 99 Oldsmobile alero head gaskets leaking help

    Quote Originally Posted by Orangetona View Post
    True true. Id rather work on an 8v TM all day though haha. Im kind of worn out from fixing 60* V6s lmao.
    What I hate about them is there only ever seems to be an inch clear space on 4 sides of whatever they put them in
    DD1: '02 T&C Ltd, 3.8 AWD. DD2: '15 Versa Note SV, replacing.. DDx: '14 Versa Note SV << freshly killded :( ....... Projects: '88 Voyager 3.0, Auto with shift kit, timing advance, walker sound FX muffler on 15" pumpers wrapped in 215/65/R15 H rated Nexens.... and a '95 phord escort wagon PnP head << Both may need to go :( ..... I like 3.0s ... so??? ... stop looking at me like I've got two heads!

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    Re: 99 Oldsmobile alero head gaskets leaking help

    Quote Originally Posted by RoadWarrior222 View Post
    I'd call it an opportunity to see if later heads and intake make it faster
    It does. The 3500 heads flow a bit better. I remember reading the intake takes a bit of modification to fit. Also if you have a 99 3400 its quite a bit better. The 99 intake runners are a bit smaller than the 00+

    I vote boost though

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    Re: 99 Oldsmobile alero head gaskets leaking help

    Quote Originally Posted by RoadWarrior222 View Post
    What I hate about them is there only ever seems to be an inch clear space on 4 sides of whatever they put them in
    Not true, in the minivans, you drop the whole thing onto a dolly and voila, all the room you need,
    1989 FWD Turbo Caravan-2.5 TIII, GT35R, auto, a/c, cruise, pwr windows/locks, fully loaded with interior and ran with full exhaust. RETIRED FOR A FEW YEARS! 12.57@104 :O)
    1984 Chev Getaway van, 6.2 Diesel with a remote mounted turbo setup burning WMO-For sale.
    2003 GSW 2.0L TDI, auto, fully loaded, modified, 360K-wife's.
    2004 GSW TDI, 5 speed, fully loaded, modified.

    Aurora ignition wires for sale. Link to info

    Super60 roller cams or custom/billet cams. Link to info

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