Blowing exhaust gasses into the cooling system

Tiny
KATYA MICHAEL MISHUE
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX
  • 3.8L
  • 6 CYL
  • TURBO
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 112,000 MILES
Hello, I have the GTP model that is blowing exhaust gasses into the cooling system. No mixing of fluids, external fluid leaks, white smoke or performance issues. LIM is in rough shape and some Dex-Cool build up in water jackets. Do not really want to pull the heads unless I need to, but am a little concerned that the head gaskets may be bad as well. Your thoughts?
Thursday, August 31st, 2017 AT 5:25 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,452 POSTS
Blown head gasket cracked head or block are the only ways exhaust can get into the cooling system. Have seen more than one that would leak out but not into the cylinder because of the low pressure in the cooling system. Easy way to verify. Lock each cylinder at TDC and put 120-150 psi of air into the plug hole and watch the coolant for bubbles.
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Thursday, August 31st, 2017 AT 7:48 PM
Tiny
KATYA MICHAEL MISHUE
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Okay, I was told that the fact that it was the supercharged model that it could be coming in through the EGR and with the car running so well, it was unlikely to be head or head gasket. I wanted to get a second opinion though. The leak test would give me the answer though. Thanks for the knowledge.
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Thursday, August 31st, 2017 AT 8:00 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,452 POSTS
The EGR comes out of the manifold, up a metal tube to the EGR valve and through another metal tube into the front of the lower intake under the supercharger. Then up a short tube into the supercharger.
To test the theory you could remove the EGR valve. Apply air pressure to the tube that goes to the intake and watch for bubbles in the coolant.

One area that is an issue are the o-rings from the charger to the intake. You could be seeing exhaust being pushed through the charger and into the water jacket if one of those failed.
Not sure how you would test that without just pulling the charger off and resealing the lower and upper intakes.
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Thursday, August 31st, 2017 AT 8:52 PM
Tiny
KATYA MICHAEL MISHUE
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I currently have the intake pulled off.
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Thursday, August 31st, 2017 AT 8:55 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,452 POSTS
I would try the air into the plugs then. If you get nothing there then I would probably replace the LIM and seals. I have head of the LIM having porosity but never had one myself. Then pressure test it and see what you get.
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Thursday, August 31st, 2017 AT 9:11 PM

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