2000 Oldsmobile Alero Help

[quote:cec2f6e876="drouseau206"]Shakes or Wobbles problem
2000 Oldsmobile Alero 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 130000 miles

I have thick white smoke coming out of the exsaust that smells like gas. and everytime I step on the gas petal I get no power at all the engine wants to stall or will stall. Its shaking and shakes even more when I push the gas. . Also the car says service engine soon and trac off lights are on. I had it tested yesterday and the computer said mis-fire on Cylinder 4 so I changed the spark plugs the coil pack and and conectors I also have put a fuel cleaner in and new gas. I had the ingnition computer tested and it tested good.....I dont know what else to do but the car is not drivable right now.. PLEASE HELP[/quote:cec2f6e876]

Hello,

The engine intake manifold is used to control air and fuel into the cylinder head combustion chamber. Most intake manifolds utilize engine coolant to help cool and distribute coolant into the cylinder head (s) and then down into the engine block. If the gasket that seals the intake manifold to the cylinder head fails it can allow coolant to enter the intake port and then the combustion chamber. To check for this condition the intake manifold will need to be removed. Once the intake manifold has been removed inspect the gasket. If the gasket has rotted or dilapidated between the intake port and the cylinder head it could allow coolant to transfer into the cylinder head. Replace the gasket with a new unit and reassemble. If the intake gasket is ok continue below.

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Anytime you have coolant in the combustion chamber and the intake gasket is ok, the engine must be disassembled to locate the failure. These options are not so pretty. There are three remaining causes for coolant to enter the combustion chamber and all require engine disassembly. This can be tricky because the repair overlaps and it is difficult to tell which one is causing the problem before disassembly. For example: A repair shop has told you the cylinder head is cracked, and as they start disassembly they can discover it was the intake manifold gasket that has failed. It's up to the honesty of the repair shop to alert the customer the repair will be less. Or the opposite can happen, example: A repair shop has told your engine has a blown head gasket, once the disassembly is complete they inform you the head gasket is ok, and the cylinder has been pressure checked and is ok. This only leaves the engine block as the failure and must be replaced to repair the problem, and that can be costly.


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So you think this is a problem with my coolant leaking whre its not supposed to go? I did notice my coolant is low should I bee adding coolant in??? or wait until the gasket is looked at?

Yes you either have a blown intake gasket or a blown head gasket.

Since you say the car is not drivable I wouldn't worry about filling the coolant before having the gasket checked out.

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One of my guy friends mentioned that it might be the timing belt (chain) is this a possibility?

[quote:a7832c9ef9="drouseau206"]One of my guy friends mentioned that it might be the timing belt (chain) is this a possibility?[/quote:a7832c9ef9]

Well if it were the timing belt....

If it just jumped a tooth or 2 it would run rough and backfire would be hard to start. Usually no smoke. anymore than 4 - 5 teeth then it wouldn't start.

If it broke it wouldn't start at all.

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Thanks for all your help. I'm going to take it in and have it repaired. Just wanted to see if it was something simple easy and quick. Have a good day.

I have a black plastic intake manifold in my car I did'nt think coolant could run through it...could there be a chance that its my head gasket?? =-(

[quote:5f3eac3d48="drouseau206"]I have a black plastic intake manifold in my car I did'nt think coolant could run through it...could there be a chance that its my head gasket?? =-([/quote:5f3eac3d48]

Yes, you are correct, and it is a very good chance that it is you head gasket.

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