98 Malibu overheating / hard starter

Adamp1916 · 06-20-2008, 02:19 PM

Got a 98 malibu that starts really hard.. gotta leave the key turned over for a good 10 seconds before it starts.. I'm thinking fuel pressure regulator on that one.

Also, noticed some pooling up of anti freeze on the right side of the engine block. It appears to be mixed with oil.. dipstick shows the level like 4 inches above normal (likely due to antifreeze leaking into the engine).

Intake manifold gaskets or just go straight to the head gaskets here?

Also, I've seen other people suggest that you "Always use DexCool coolant in these cars." Do not listen to that person. Dexcool becomes acidic and will (not can) will deteriorate your gaskets.

This looks to be a pretty widely known issue, so i'll spot at that.

BUDFAN8 · 06-20-2008, 02:43 PM

just guessing the hard start is due to water on a cylinder(s). most likely just intake gaskets unless you have ran the car too hot a couple times.

dumbest thing GM ever done was to put plastic gaskets inside a motor.

Bud.

**mack1** · 06-20-2008, 07:01 PM

Quote:

dumbest thing GM ever done was to put plastic gaskets inside a motor.

That and putting plastic teeth on timing gears.

Hey guys, does water flow through the intake manifold? I don't recall that.

Hi Adamp1916 and sorry about the headgasket. Nice to know about the DexCool antifreeze.

Hope it goes well,
Mack1

BUDFAN8 · 06-20-2008, 10:09 PM

water flows through the back side of the intake the front is blocked off if i remember correctly.

i replaced another set a few days ago on a 98 tahoe is wasnt the first set that has been put on it. i cant believe people are still useing the plastic ones for replacement. i always replace them with the aluminium and rubber set.

back on topic though Adamp1916 if you have any doubt about your head gaskets while the intake is off it would be a good time to replace them. would be terrible to replace just the intake and find out your head gaskets are blown too. usually just the intake gaskets are bad but once they go out and the engine runs hot a few times the head gaskets get cooked then start leaking also. it also sounds like you got alot of antifreeze in your oil, i hope you didnt ruin your bearings antifreeze and bearings dont mix too good.

good luck
Bud.

06-20-2008, 02:19 PM	#1 (permalink)
Adamp1916 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 2 OS: xp	98 Malibu overheating / hard starter Got a 98 malibu that starts really hard.. gotta leave the key turned over for a good 10 seconds before it starts.. I'm thinking fuel pressure regulator on that one. Also, noticed some pooling up of anti freeze on the right side of the engine block. It appears to be mixed with oil.. dipstick shows the level like 4 inches above normal (likely due to antifreeze leaking into the engine). Intake manifold gaskets or just go straight to the head gaskets here? Also, I've seen other people suggest that you "Always use DexCool coolant in these cars." Do not listen to that person. Dexcool becomes acidic and will (not can) will deteriorate your gaskets. This looks to be a pretty widely known issue, so i'll spot at that.

06-20-2008, 02:43 PM	#2 (permalink)
BUDFAN8 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 193 OS: XP	Re: 98 Malibu overheating / hard starter just guessing the hard start is due to water on a cylinder(s). most likely just intake gaskets unless you have ran the car too hot a couple times. dumbest thing GM ever done was to put plastic gaskets inside a motor. Bud.

06-20-2008, 10:09 PM	#4 (permalink)
BUDFAN8 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 193 OS: XP	Re: 98 Malibu overheating / hard starter water flows through the back side of the intake the front is blocked off if i remember correctly. i replaced another set a few days ago on a 98 tahoe is wasnt the first set that has been put on it. i cant believe people are still useing the plastic ones for replacement. i always replace them with the aluminium and rubber set. back on topic though Adamp1916 if you have any doubt about your head gaskets while the intake is off it would be a good time to replace them. would be terrible to replace just the intake and find out your head gaskets are blown too. usually just the intake gaskets are bad but once they go out and the engine runs hot a few times the head gaskets get cooked then start leaking also. it also sounds like you got alot of antifreeze in your oil, i hope you didnt ruin your bearings antifreeze and bearings dont mix too good. good luck Bud.