1997 Buick Century 3.1 - Milky coolant loss

[Jesda]

Hi

I have a 1997 Buick Century Custom 3.1. Every 1-2 weeks it requires a gallon of coolant. The oil cap looks yellowish and the dipstick shows an unusually high oil level.

It started doing this a month ago.

Will a LIM gasket replacement alone resolve this problem?

Also, it recently started misfiring at idle and hesitates at low rpms. Runs perfectly once it gets moving.

[Jesda]

I should also add that it starts rough and the fuel gauge/sender is wonky, in case it matters. I have no maintenance history on the car at all. The coolant was flushed when I got the car in November with green stuff (it had green coolant in it when I bought it).

[Talontwoswords]

If you tear it apart and see that the LIM gasket is faulty, that will probably be your answer.

[Jesda]

If the HG was also going out, would it overheat? The temp needle never goes above half way.

[tractorman]

You need to quit driving the vehicle until this problem is resolved. Coolant in the oil will quickly destroy the bearings... if it hasn't already.

[Jesda]

One shop quoted $550, but the one I trust more quoted $720, so its there now being fixed. They dug into it and agreed that LIM gasket was the cause.

Should be done soon with new oil, coolant, and gaskets.

[Jesda]

Fixed! $860 including belt tensioner.