Engine Oil + Coolant Leak

[drthrift035]

1998 CHEVY ASTRO
4.3 LITER VORTEC ENGINE
306,000 KM

PROBLEMS:

1) ENGINE OVER HEATED TO THE POINT THAT EVERYTHING SHUT OFF.

2) COOLANT LEAK FROM RADIATOR

[b]I HAVE CHANGED THE RADIATOR AND THE COOLANT LEAK HAS BEEN ELIMINATED. WHEN I CHANGED THE RADIATOR I COULD NOT GET

Topic

[John B Kobberstad]

Not sure what you are trying to do here. The new radiator has both the hoses attached to the engine for coolant flow, right? The line that you broke, is it a transmission fluid cooling line or an oil cooling line? Does it go to the engine or to the transmission? Is it an all steel line with connectors on each end? or a flexible hose line with connectors on each end or clamps on each end? What is the old line connected to? What did you connect the scrap yard line to? Is the scrap yard line the same as the line you broke taking off?

[college man]

I think your talking about the transmission cooler lines? The one that broke should have been lifted out
with the old radiator. the the new line should have been installed in its place. you would have had to
remove the entire broken line to replace it. as for the transmission fluid capacity. you will need to check
the fluid level and top it off.heres a video to help you check your fluidsC8-)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5OTB_yU … plpp_video

[dreamer2355]

You could try to flare the the transmission cooler lines with male fittings and use a union, or at your own discretion you could also use a compression fitting to connect both lines.

Keep us posted.

[EricTheCarGuy]

I’m kind of at a loss here too as I’m not sure what you mean by “attached it” to the old line, did you use a compression fitting or something?

[Matt]

When you say that you overheated the engine to the point where everything shut off, do you mean the engine literally stopped running? If so, then it’s toast…

[drthrift035]

Thanks to everyone for the input. I was not specific about my problem. Here a more complete assessment.

1998 CHEVY ASTRO 4.3 L VORTEC ENGINE 306,000 KM

ISSUES: ENGINE OVER HEAT, COOLANT LEAK FROM THE RADIATOR.

I HAVE ELIMINATED THE ABOVE MENTIONED PROBLEMS.

1) I CHANGED THE RADIATOR AND THE RADIATOR LEAK WENT AWAY.

2) I FIXED THE LOWER OIL COOLER LINE THAT CONNECTS TO THE RADIATOR

3) I ADDED TO ENGINE OIL TO THE VEHICLE TO BRING THE OIL LEVEL BACK TO THE NORMAL OPERATING RANGE.

4) I BLED THE COOLANT SYSTEM BY ADDING COOLANT AND RUNNING THE ENGINE AS I DID IT FROM ABOUT 30 – 45 MINUTES. NOW THERE IS NO OVERHEAT PROBLEM.

THE ONLY ISSUE THAT I HAVE IS THAT THERE IS A REALLY STRONG VIBRATION COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE THAT I HAVE NEVER HAD BEFORE.

THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR THEIR SUPPORT.

[college man]

check your motor mounts.

[EricTheCarGuy]

Given that the engine was overheated to the point where it stopped running it is possible that there is internal damage to the engine, specifically the bearings. If that were the case it could cause a vibration/noise similar to what you describe, the only fix would be to overhaul or replace the engine unfortunately. Since oil pressure and bearing clearances are closely related it’s probably not a bad idea to check the oil pressure with a manual gauge and see if you have a lot of fluctuation in the pressure OR if it’s low, if it is then this might indicate bearing failure.

[Matt]

I agree with Eric, especially about checking the oil pressure with a mechanical gage. Like I mentioned before, if the engine overheated to the point of shut-off, then it’s pretty likely that you have bearing failure. I hate to say that, because swapping an engine on an Astro is NO fun. I haven’t done one (yet), but you will probably have to cut out the top rad crossmember, and they make a kit with brackets and bolts to reinstall it. Good luck man.

[college man]

thanks for the updateC8-)

[drthrift035]

Thanks for all of the information. I checked the engine oil level again yesterday and I realized that I had put in way too much engine oil into to the system. The engine oil is in the correct operating range. Subsequently, the vibration has significantly been reduced. In addition, I don’t feel any vibrations when I am driving at a speed greater than 10 km per hour.

[EricTheCarGuy]

Quoted From drthrift035:

Thanks for all of the information. I checked the engine oil level again yesterday and I realized that I had put in way too much engine oil into to the system. The engine oil is in the correct operating range. Subsequently, the vibration has significantly been reduced. In addition, I don’t feel any vibrations when I am driving at a speed greater than 10 km per hour.

Good find! Well done keep us posted on any new developments.

[Author]

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