I just recently bought a 2002 mc ss and the engine light came on so i took it to get checked out and the codes read misfire and coolant temp sensor, and bad theromstat, also it started to over heat real bad so i buy all the part including new plugs and wires, so while my mech, started to check it out he noticed traces of stop leak on the radiator cap, and in the theromastat housing and also a leak down buy the water pump, so he told me this car has a leak somewhere and it was very low on antifreeze. He suggested that someone just coverd up a leak and i should replace all the gaskets on the motor... So what do u guys think before i give him the green light!!!

 

The intake gaskets are a common point of failure with the 3.8 so they may need replacement, but I think I would conduct a cooling system pressure test before diving in and ripping the engine apart. If the test reveals leaking intake gaskets then they will need to be replaced. If the water pump is leaking there would be no need to replace all the gaskets - just replace the pump. I would also flush the entire cooling system to get the stop leak out prior to tear down and replacing gaskets/pump.

 

I completely agree with 03SSLE.

It seems foolish to me that your mechanic is recommending a full gasket change without any diagnostics.

Now the LIM gaskets do fail between 80-120K usually. So they *might* need changed. Plus the 3800 has an item known as "coolant elbows" that also have a tendency to fail with age (and they are not far from the what pump).

First, get a pressure test before dumping money into parts/labor you might not need.

 

Thanks guy i will get with him tomorrow and mention to him everything that you have said... If i dont have to spend the money then i wont, i also located thoes elbows at work today!!! I work at oreilly distribution center here in atlanta... I really love the car and searched long and hard for a good clean black ss and i want to keep it..

 

exactly what i thought too