2003 Chevy Venture Low levels of oil and antifreeze

ALLIESPARKS

MEMBER
2003 CHEVROLET VENTURE

Engine problem
2003 Chevy Venture Engine Size unknown Wheel Drive Type unknown Automatic 68,000 miles

Hi. I purchased my van approx 8 months ago. When I took it in for the first oil change (5 months ago), the guy said that it looked like the oil hadn't been changed in over 10,000 miles and my antifreeze was low. I filled the antifreeze and didn't think anything about the oil. Then when I took it in for the second oil change (2 months ago), the guy said that there was no oil on the dipstick and very little drained from the engine. I asked him to check the level of the antifreeze and it was normal. I normally check my oil once in between changes (which I do regularly every 3,000-3,500 miles). I checked it a few days ago and the oil was barely on the dipstick and the antifreeze is almost gone as well. I am still about 1,000 miles from my next scheduled oil change. I read on the internet about cracked head gaskets as a cause for burning oil and antifreeze, but I don't have any other "symptoms" of a cracked head gasket. Should I have other symptoms or is this probably what the problem is? I appreciate any help/advice you have on this. Thanks.

2 Replies

MASTERTECHTIM

MECHANIC
4,750 POSTS

Not head gasket, intake manifold gasket very poorly made. Assuming you are not leaking oil externally. I can only assume you are leaking coolant externally or you would see white smoke from tail pipe. The intake gasket on this engine is made out of plastic with a rubber insert to seal. This poorly made gasket usually cracks and the rubber seal distorts which causes coolant to leak at the intake corners externally and you are probably burning the oil internally due to a internal vacuum leak. They have recently updated to gasket to steel and hard rubber to eliminate this problem.