My engine coolant seems to be evaporating or blowing through the head gasket.

1996 CHEVROLET LUMINA
15,700 MILES
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IVANL
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  • 1 POST
I have a 1996 Chevy Lumina with a 3.1L V6. 3eeks ago it over heated in highway traffic & I nursery 1-2 miles to get off the highway. The water pump was diagnosed as the problem & I had it rplaced. Now it is blowing through coolant. I am refilling the reservior every 5-7days. Impoertant detail is I do 3400 miles a month of mostly highway driving, averaging 70 MPH. My mechanic believe it is probably blowing through the head gasket as it is not showing up anywhere on the underside of the car or through the heater in the cab. The loss of coolant started after the water pump was installed. What other possiblities might there be & at 157,000 miles is having the head gasket replaced worth the investment. I anticipating replacing this car in 40-60,000 mor miles. Thank you IvanL
Jan 28, 2012 at 6:09 PM
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RIVERMIKERAT
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Warm up the engine and pressure test the cooling system. Listen for bubbling or hissing. Remove the plugs to see if the coolant is entering the combustion chamber. Check the oil dipstick. Does it look like chocolate milk? Yes? Head gasket blowing coolant to oil system. Start the engine up and put a balloon over the radiator opening. Does it fill up? Head gasket blown to combustion chamber.

Is it worth repairing? Depends on how much the shop quotes you.
Jan 28, 2012 at 6:22 PM
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RIVERMIKERAT
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  • 6,106 POSTS
Or, you can also do the repair yourself and save a significant chunk of change. If you don't have the tools, you can usually rent or borrow them from the parts chains.
Jan 28, 2012 at 6:22 PM
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RASMATAZ
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 75,988 POSTS
To find out have it block and pressure tested
Jan 28, 2012 at 6:29 PM
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