Dead daily driver.....?

[Tru2Chevy]

Ok, so my '91 Lumina (3.1 v6) has not been in the best of moods lately. About three weeks ago I replaced the waterpump, belt, and tensioner. Shorty afterwards, I discovered that the car is still not holding coolant when it started blowing steam out of the front of the radiator while I was sitting in traffic (the car wasn't overheating). Bars leaks didn't fix the leak, and made the coolant look like frappuchino. (Oil is not contaminated, and car isn't showing any other signs of head gasket trouble, BTW).

Yesterday, I fill the radiator and overflow tank with water, and drive normally for about 15 minutes around town. When I get to my friends house, we notice that the car is dumping "frappuchino" all over his driveway, and it's coming from the front/right side of the engine (rear passanger side of the engine bay). I can't tell exactly where the leak is, but I'm fearing that it's a cracked block/head. Not sure what else it could be, but I'll figure that out ASAP, before putting any money up for the following parts:

TGP Plenum w/ IAT
TGP Exhaust Manifolds
TGP Turbo w/ oil lines
TGP Cross Over
TGP Electronic Boost Controler Solenoid (new from dealer)
TGP Downpipe
TGP EGR
TGP Intercooler
TGP Charge Pipes
TGP Coolant Lines
TGP MAP Sensor
TGP Injectors
Extra Oil Pan to tap for oil
Complete Engine Gasket Set
& a Few other things I'm sure I'm forgeting
Will throw in a spare 3.1 liter v6 to lucky buyer

$500 or best reasonable offer

(TGP = Turbo Grand Prix, 3.1L McLaren Turbo motor offered in 89 and 90).

The spare 3.1 runs, not sure of the condition other than that. I've also been thinking about doing a 5 speed swap to replace the 3 speed auto that I currently have, and figure this would be a good time.

Now, the camaro is almost finished, and with the daily driver aparently dying, I've gotten some motivation and started to work on it again. I would not attempt to build a turbo motor for my daily driver before the camaro is on the road.

I just wanted to know if anyone is familier with the 3.1 and may know what to look for as far as the current problem. Also what do you think of the plans if the current motor is about to die?

Looking for any input besides the usual "You're lazy and this project wouldn't be done for 3 years..."

- Justin

[Fasterthanyou]

I doubt it's a cracked block. If that were the case you would KNOW.
Freeze plug, head gasket, bad lower hose, bad gasket seal on waterpump, etc. I doubt it's anything serious if the engine is running and not overheating. With whatever it is, get some JB weld, dry the leaky area and use a toothpick to get some JB into the leak. I've fixed 2 radiators this way, works great. That fix a leak crap is crap, seriously, flush the system out completely before it clogs up the lower part of your radiator.
I'm usually pretty good at finding leaks. I'm planning on heading down to Ewing either Thursday or Friday evening if you want some help. I'll even bring the JB.

[Tru2Chevy]

Dad thinks it's a freeze plug. He said he's never seen a cracked head on a 2.8/3.1, and having a headgasket blow on the outer portion like that is also very rare (along with a cracked block).

For now I'm just filling it with water and only driving it when I have too....

- Justin

ps....found out that the 3.1 included with the turbo parts only has about 60k miles on it

[Dr. Gonzo]

It sounds like a freeze plug. I had a TGP and it had the same problem. As soon as I filled the overflow, coolant would start pouring out. Also if you are serious about converting the 3.1 into a turbo 3.1 don't use a stock TGP crossover. They are notorious for cracking. You might want to check out http://www.w-body.com/

[ar0ck]

Why not get the Camaro moving on the road?

[BigAls87Z28]

Ah boy...the dreded 60* V6's of the 90's.
Sounds like a freze plug, but get it up in the air and see where its coming from.

[Tru2Chevy]

Originally Posted by TransAm4Life

Why not get the Camaro moving on the road?

Originally Posted by Tru2Chevy

Now, the camaro is almost finished, and with the daily driver aparently dying, I've gotten some motivation and started to work on it again. I would not attempt to build a turbo motor for my daily driver before the camaro is on the road.

Pay attention...... :P

- Justin

[Tru2Chevy]

Originally Posted by Dr. Gonzo

It sounds like a freeze plug. I had a TGP and it had the same problem. As soon as I filled the overflow, coolant would start pouring out. Also if you are serious about converting the 3.1 into a turbo 3.1 don't use a stock TGP crossover. They are notorious for cracking. You might want to check out http://www.w-body.com/

Yea, I know all about the x-overs......I have the same username on w-body.com that I use here...what's yours?

Also, the parts list that I posted above is from the classifieds section of that site

- Justin

[Dr. Gonzo]

my user name is dave on w body but I haven't posted there for over a year.