New guy 06 LTZ oil leaks
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Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 1
New guy 06 LTZ oil leaks
Hi everyone, thanks for having me on the forum! Wife has an 06 LTZ in grey. We're in the blue ridge mountains of Va.
A few years ago for a wedding present, my father in law gave my wife his beloved 06 LTZ to replace her beater of a cavalier. The Monte only had 48,000 miles on it. A very nice gesture.
I've had numerous electrical (and other)problems with the car, but I suppose that's beside the point. I have two main problems right now: One: The car uses a ton of oil. It's very hard to see with all of the plumbing under the hood of modern cars, but it looks like the rear cylinder head is leaking. The oil pan is soaked with oil that has dripped over the firewall side of the engine on down to the pan.
I understand that some of these engines had a crap intake manifold gasket as well? It seems as though the gasket for the intake manifold on this car is metal - but I suppose that doesn't mean it's not leaking. I'd like to think the problem is not the cylinder head gasket. I'm not getting any antifreeze in the oil or vice versa.
Two: the second issue is lost antifreeze. I've seen mention of water pump gaskets on here. She had a rad hose blowout a while back so I replaced all of them. I still smell antifreeze and have to top it off once in a while - it doesn't seem to lose much.
Well, thank you for any suggestions for my issues guys and gals. I appreciate the responses! As a side note, the LTZ can get up and go pretty well for such an old girl!
A few years ago for a wedding present, my father in law gave my wife his beloved 06 LTZ to replace her beater of a cavalier. The Monte only had 48,000 miles on it. A very nice gesture.
I've had numerous electrical (and other)problems with the car, but I suppose that's beside the point. I have two main problems right now: One: The car uses a ton of oil. It's very hard to see with all of the plumbing under the hood of modern cars, but it looks like the rear cylinder head is leaking. The oil pan is soaked with oil that has dripped over the firewall side of the engine on down to the pan.
I understand that some of these engines had a crap intake manifold gasket as well? It seems as though the gasket for the intake manifold on this car is metal - but I suppose that doesn't mean it's not leaking. I'd like to think the problem is not the cylinder head gasket. I'm not getting any antifreeze in the oil or vice versa.
Two: the second issue is lost antifreeze. I've seen mention of water pump gaskets on here. She had a rad hose blowout a while back so I replaced all of them. I still smell antifreeze and have to top it off once in a while - it doesn't seem to lose much.
Well, thank you for any suggestions for my issues guys and gals. I appreciate the responses! As a side note, the LTZ can get up and go pretty well for such an old girl!
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 12,590
From: Mentor, Ohio
Hoodooman - Best place to start on an oil leak with an engine/drivetrain soaked in oil is to degrease the engine. Most the time a can of engine degreaser from the auto parts store, a cheap/throw-away brush from the dollar store and a car pressure washer is all you need. Spray the degreaser, aggitate thick/greasey areas with the brush and pressure wash the junk away.
DO NOT spray up the inside of the intake tube and of the alternator gets a little wet, no biggie, but don't soak it. Pretty much that is the general cleaning steps. Once it's cleaned and dries itself, you have a clean slate to check for oil leaks.
I believe the LTZ has the 3500, which is based off the old 3400. The 3400 has a history with failing plastic intake gaskets (which can result in oil loss and/or coolant loos, usually coolant mixing with the oil). I have also seen the valve cover gaskets seap oil before.
As for the coolant loss, borrow a radiator pressure tester from the parts store, charge the system with about 12-13 pounds of pressure (do not exceed what you radiator cap is rated for). Look and listen for coolant leaks. This should aid in finding them. I am not as well versed in the 3500 common problems, but being a relative to the 3400, I am probably some what familiar. If the water pump failed, a lot of times you can see a line of coolant on the hood insulation (as the pump leaks coolant on the belt and it gets flung everywhere).
Hope this helps. ANd best of luck.
DO NOT spray up the inside of the intake tube and of the alternator gets a little wet, no biggie, but don't soak it. Pretty much that is the general cleaning steps. Once it's cleaned and dries itself, you have a clean slate to check for oil leaks.
I believe the LTZ has the 3500, which is based off the old 3400. The 3400 has a history with failing plastic intake gaskets (which can result in oil loss and/or coolant loos, usually coolant mixing with the oil). I have also seen the valve cover gaskets seap oil before.
As for the coolant loss, borrow a radiator pressure tester from the parts store, charge the system with about 12-13 pounds of pressure (do not exceed what you radiator cap is rated for). Look and listen for coolant leaks. This should aid in finding them. I am not as well versed in the 3500 common problems, but being a relative to the 3400, I am probably some what familiar. If the water pump failed, a lot of times you can see a line of coolant on the hood insulation (as the pump leaks coolant on the belt and it gets flung everywhere).
Hope this helps. ANd best of luck.