Hi, My name is Najee and I'm new to the forum. I currently own a grand am but am looking into buying this 2001 Silver Monte Carlo . The dealer has the car listed for $4,000 with only 116,000 miles on it. I took it for a test drive and it rode pretty good, only then when i pulled back into the dealership did the check engine light come on and when I got out I noticed a small fraction of green coolant on the ground after it was parked. The engine seem to be running fine, so I really would like your guys input. Im a college student so funds are limited. The DTC was P0480, and sitting behind the steering wheel the leak on the ground was just below the FRONT LEFT headlight. I did not test drive it for a very long period of time to notice where it was going to overheat. Could this be a LIM gasket. I am really interested but I am willing to keep looking if it's not worth it. Thanks, and sorry If I rambled I just wanted to provide as much detail as possible.

 

Personally, if the car is popping codes within just a test drive, I'd be quick to walk away. According to that error code, you could be looking at a few possible causes and depending on the dealership, they could be shady and may have cleared the codes without fixing it with hopes that it wouldn't pop back up until after it was sold. Always be cautious of used vehicles.

Do they offer any sort of warranty?

 

Yes, there is an warranty available but I am unsure it if it is the actual dealer itself or 3rd party. I have researched the code and see that it was a cooling fan relay which isnt to bad, but Ill have to have my mechanic come look at with me again. I am only a little mechanically inclined.

 

Green coolant shouldn't be in the car.

If it's leaking coolant near the headlights it's either the upper or lower radiator hose or the actual radiator itself.

 

That is what I kind of figured. Dexcool should be orange correct? and if it does have green coolant , which I'm very sure was antifreeze- how can I flush it. Ill have the mechanic check deeper for hoses or a crack in the radiator and see if the coolant is all through the system or just a top off measure.

 

Well that year dexcool is actually reddish/pink

If it does have green, if it all wasn't flushed correctly there can be a lot of gunk in the system. When green and dex mix, it's not a pretty sight

 

nobody thinks it could be the L.I.M.? with that many miles, i'd check that first

 

I'd stay away. You already know it has at least 2 issues. Over 10 years old with a lot of miles for a w-body. These cars are very problematic if they are not taken care of very stringently.

 

Welcome to the Forum ..

 

Could be the pet **** in the radiator. I had mine leaking at one time. I replaced my radiator and then realized it was just the petcock that had been leaking.