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1996 Chev Lumina Other - Engine
Question: I took my Lumina LS to Precision Tune for general maintenace (spark plugs, oil change, PCV, radiator flush, transmission fluid change). They told me that my engine fluid was leaking into my coolant and it would cost over $600 to repair.(a faulty gasket in either the manifold or headgasket. We went on a 3500 mile road trip and the car began to overhead in the desert. We added a bottle of stop leak to the radiator and it never overheated again. Upon return, we took the car to the Texaco Xpress Lube for a new coolant change and the young man seemed quite knowlegable about the problem we experienced. He kindly would not change the coolant
because it should only have the pink fluid and should only be changed every 120, 000 miles. He said a better gasket is made than the original and that there is a current class action suit against GM. He said that this was common in 1996 Luminas with my engine (I think 3.1). Also, not having known about the 'pink' coolant, I'm not sure that that is what was put in.
How can I verify that this is the problem? Have you heard this to be common? Do you have any suggestions or comments for what I feel the Precision Tune guy thinks is the "dumb blonde"?
Thanks....
Hoping to be a 'smarter' blonde
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Technican: Hello, Beginning in 1996 year model GM started using "DEX-COOL" 100, 000 mile coolant that some call "pink" or "orange" in color. Due to it's extended life it is now a benchmark standard and widely used on all the models I can think of (GM).
If DEX-COOL gets mixed with the green coolant it works just fine but must be changed every two years regardless of miles. No big deal with that. If you want to change the coolant type from one to the other (say green back to pink) the system should be flushed clean including the heater core to ensure the very minimum of dilution so you may get the 100, 000 mile benefit back in your favor.
As to the class action law suit, I am not aware of that and I've had two Buicks with the 3.1L engine. One needed headgaskets and never had a repeat problem after repair.
I can research for technical service bulletins and even recalls if you like but I recommend you talk with a Chevy dealer about the subject without checking your car into the shop for anything. They should guide you as to histories with the 3.1L engine coolant leak problems.
Please note that I have NEVER been successful using stop leak to remedy a headgasket leak. I've worked as a professional technician for over 30 years. Headgaskets must seal the exploding gases of combustion as well as seal the coolant from getting into the oil. Stop leak will not set up hard enough to hold against the compression in the cylinders for combustion.
There are tests for headgasket failure. They are not always definitive and fool proof.
You sure do not want to have a severe overheat of your engine, so don't delay tests if you are still having problems. I would get that stop leak out of my car. It can stop up slightly restricted tubes in both the radiator and the heater core. If the leak comes back it should be fixed, not patched or your car's reliability will be impaired. It's a matter of what your comfort level is.
Thoughts?,
Technican: Hello? Did you receive my response? Thanks.
Owner: I can't find the class action suit either but have been told there is one. I did however go to the NHTSA Complaints/Office of Defects Investigation though and found several similiar complaints.
Also forgot to tell you that while on vacation we were using the cruise control and when we stepped on the brakes it not only did not disengage, but sped up and went into the 'red' zone and brakes would not stop car. Finally got our heads together and turned off ignition and slammed car into Park. Extremely freightening. Have you heard of this before? Obviously, did not use CC again and have taped it so as not to accidently use it.
Owner: Here is more info:
Class Action Suit Filed!
Girard Gibbs & De Bartolomeo www.girardgibbs.com has filed a class action lawsuit against General Motors and Chevron USA. The lawsuit alleges that General Motors and Chevron USA engaged in unfair business practices and false advertising in connection with Dex-Cool and vehicles equipped with Dex-Cool. For more information regarding the suit, or if you would like to discuss problems you have had with respect to Dex-Cool and GM vehicles, please send an email to Dylan Hughes at or Emily Fedman at or call 415-981-4800.
GG&D
Eric H. Gibbs
Girard Gibbs & De Bartolomeo LLP
601 California Street, Suite 1400
San Francisco, CA 94108
Phone; (415) 981-4800
Fax: (415) 981-4846
www.girardgibbs.com
Technican: Very interesting this law suit. Thank you for passing it on for reference.
My experience with a cruise control that will not disengage when brakes are applied has been relative to the brake lights not working. A brake light switch broken, or stuck "off" and even a case when the brake light bulbs were all burned out. The cruise system looks for a voltage drop (when the brake lights come on they consume power) and will disengage and stand by.
If the cruise did not receive the voltage drop signal but instead sensed the loss of speed, it will apply throttle to maintain the set speed. (as though the car just suddenly had to climb a mountain) The more time lapsed without good recovery of speed, the more throttle is called for to try and keep up. If you floor the gas pedal and exceed the cruise set speed by 20 mph, the check engine light should come on and a code will set for a runaway throttle and the cruise is supposed to disengage and be inop until the code is cleared. This happens alot with agressive drivers passing vehicles with the cruise still set.
Slamming the car into PARK when the car is moving can cause the Parking Pawl to ratchet and or break off. Turning the key to "off" is wise thinking but don't turn it to "lock" (that would allow you to move the shift lever to PARK) or you will lock the steering wheel too. Bad situation.
I haven't looked for cruise recalls, have you?
Owner: Jeesh, you are really knowlegable! Thank you for explaining the cruise thing to me in such an understandable fashion. Too bad you aren't in the Kent area.....I'd sure like you to be the one that diagnosed/fixed my car for me. I just lost my job at Boeing so need to find someone that I can trust that won't charge me an arm and a leg. I do know a really good mechanic (Don West of West and Sons) but he is really high priced. I went to school with him. Oh well.
I did look for recalls on the cruise control. But of course, there aren't any. In case I didn't give you these websites, here are the ones that I found interesting. I had to spend a lot of time looking for complaints and issues that were compatible with mine, but you may find it all to be good info for you:
www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/complain/request/preview.cfm
gm-v6lemons.com/
Thanks so much for your help ! Hope these websites will be of value to you.
Owner: Jeesh, you are really knowlegable! Thank you for explaining the cruise thing to me in such an understandable fashion. Too bad you aren't in the Kent area.....I'd sure like you to be the one that diagnosed/fixed my car for me. I just lost my job at Boeing so need to find someone that I can trust that won't charge me an arm and a leg. I do know a really good mechanic (Don West of West and Sons) but he is really high priced. I went to school with him. Oh well.
I did look for recalls on the cruise control. But of course, there aren't any. In case I didn't give you these websites, here are the ones that I found interesting. I had to spend a lot of time looking for complaints and issues that were compatible with mine, but you may find it all to be good info for you:
www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/complain/request/preview.cfm
gm-v6lemons.com/
Thanks so much for your help ! Hope these websites will be of value to you.
Technican: You are welcome and I thank you for your sharing info that I will surely come to use in the future. Here's How To Get Guaranteed Solutions In Minutes
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