94 Grand Am: Antifreeze in oil

The other day, as I was doing a routine oil check on my son's 94 Grand Am, 3.1 V6 (which was recently featured here for a different problem), I found that the oil was way over the max mark -- probably about a quart over. And that it was no longer just oil -- it was a reddish muddy color. I've read several horror stories online already, that once the oil is contaminated with antifreeze, whatever you do is too little, too late -- the engine needs -- or will shortly need -- to be replaced or rebuilt. I could use the advice of users that have already dealt with this problem. Thanks. Svilen

Reply to
Svilen Stoicheff
Loading thread data ...

These engines have a history of leaks at the intake manifold. Most of the guys here will say that you have to replace the gaskets. When my '93 started to leak, I re-torqued the bolts (some were very loose) and have had no problems since.

It seems to me that some one in one of these news groups said that GM did a recall to re-torque the manifold bolts.

It is best not to drive it until you change the oil.

Reply to
Scott Buchanan

When that happened to my '86 6000LE, it was a blown head gasket. Since it was an '86 with 187,000+ miles on it and had a wide variety of other problems*, it was dealt with by replacing it with a '97 GA.

*other problems included: bad heater core, broken bolts in the engine, broken driver's side door latch (inside), inoperative driver's side window, etc ... still miss it, though.
Reply to
REP

I fully agree, antifreeze tends to react badly with oil and act as a frictional cohesive when mixed with oil and ruin a engine if left in too long. Years ago my father inlaw destroyed a diesel engine in a John Deere farm tractor because it had defective cylinder sleeve seals from factory and leaked into oil while working ground and given the normal noise of the engine he did not hear that anything was wrong until it lost power and had eaten the crank beyond repair. Their is a flushing agent availible to remove all traces of anitfreeze from a crankcase.

Reply to
SnoMan

Agreed, however a 93 G/A v-6 is the 3.3. Its a 90 degree engine and does not have the intake manifold problems that the 60 degree 94 3.1 has.

Reply to
=?x-user-defined?Q?=AB?= Paul

You heard correctly. The engine is shot, or will be shortly. Advice? Fix it, junk it, or sell it for $300.

Reply to
=?x-user-defined?Q?=AB?= Paul

If it is the 3.1 engine....and it's not making any abnormal noise, I'd replace the intake gasket, change the oil, drive it a few days and change the oil again. If there is engine damage, it will show up eventually, but if there is no bottom end noise, you may get lucky.

Ian

Reply to
shiden_kai

I'm in the process of replacing the intake gaskets, to try and correct the problem. Both gaskets came off in two-three pieces, and had areas that looked heavily damaged.

Question: The manual lists the torque specs for the lower intake mounting bolts at 120 in/lb. That seems/feels too low, and I get this urge to go over. Bad idea? Thanks. Svilen

Reply to
Svilen Stoicheff

Bad idea. You are supposed to use loctite on the intake manifold bolts and use the low torque specified. It's just the way GM has it designed.

Ian

Reply to
shiden_kai

For the benefit of those that will research this problem after me, I'd say that replacing the intake gaskets appears to have fixed the problem. While working on that, I also replaced the spark plugs and ignition wires -- couldn't resist it, for once I had good access to those ;) I changed the oil a few days after the repair, and everything seems to be in order now: The oil stays clean, the car runs fine -- no abnormal noise or behavior. Hope it stays that way.

Reply to
Svien Stoicheff

MotorsForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.