Coolant leak off of bottom side of motor. I own a 3.1 liter v6 and the cost of replacement is outrageous considering that I have been researching this problem on the internet and have several posts that have had the same problem. I have a 1999 chevy lumina, my coolant leak started over 2 years ago. I have not fixed it cause I don't drive the car that much, my car only has 90000 original miles on it. The leak of coolant is due to poor manufacturing of manifold gasket seal. Please refer to this website for more complaints: http://www.arfc.org/complaints/1999/chevrolet/lumina
1999 Chevrolet Lumina: engine overheating
8 of the 103 complaints about the 1999 Chevrolet Lumina describe engine overheating.
- owner complaints
- 8
- of this car's complaints
- 8%
- typical mileage
- 56,000
- recalls
- 2
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls and 14 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Engine overheating by model year
What owners say
I began having problems with my car overheating. I changed the thermostat and all the radiator hoses in order to fix the problem. Thinking that this corrected the problem because my mechanic could not find a leak I continued to drive the car. It was not until I had to start using the heater in oct 09 when the problem recurred. I then used radiator flush and cleaner and still my mechanic was unable to find the leak. I was having to put antifreeze in the car several times in order to make it to work (usually a 15 min drive). One cold morning I noticed the car was smoking from under the hood and was able to make it to the mechanic shop. It was at this time that he showed me the leak at the intake manifold. He was able to fix the problem, but informed me that this is a recurring problem with this car. The fix is only temporary. It cost me several hundred dollars to fix the intake manifold gasket (650.00). This does not include all the other work and repairs that were made prior to replacing the intake manifold gaskets. I changed the thermostat twice and all the radiator hoses before finding the leak in the intake manifold and getting it fixed. I would also go through a gallon of dex-cool antifreeze every other day; at a cost of $14.00 plus tax. The old part is no longer available. My mechanic showed it to me and it was eaten up. He told me he has fixed hundreds of cars with this same engine and problem...
My lumina suddenly began to loose refrigerant causing the car to overheat. Took the car to several shops including a dealership and the diagnosis was a lower manifold gasket. Each and every repair facility said this is very common in the lumina. With 56000 miles I am now faced with a very expensive repair.if this is so common why has nothing been done about this.? I have had an air conditioner replaced as well as many other expensive items. I am paying twice for this vehicle in repairs. The position of the battery makes it impossible for a person to replace themselves. The lumina is turning into a money pit.
1999 chevy lumina is leaking oil from the valve cover gasket as confirmed by two separate mechanics. Gm has issued a recall due to fire hazard for this issue but only authorizes dealers to replace the spark plug channel to prevent the spread of fire. Oil can still leak into the manifold, which due to temperature, yet posing a fire hazard. Also, the oil begins leaking externally posing the initial fire hazard but as the problem progresses, the leakage becomes internal and seepage into the coolant nullifies coolant function causing the engine to overheat. This poses an additional fire hazard and even if no fire occurs the engine will still seize due to overheating causing accident risk. When contacting gm, customer service stated that they could not provide technical answers but would contact the local dealership and placed a conference call. The service department confirmed that a leaking valve cover gasket was the source of the problem and could still pose a threat but they were not authorized to correct the problem but would be 'happy to check it out and fix the problem at our expense' even though it's a defective part. They could not confirm why the actual problem is not being corrected, only the channel cover in a token effort to appease consumers but not truly correct the problem and referred me back to gm customer service. Gm customer service can offer no reasoning other than they don't think it's necessary to correct the problem, just minimize possible risk of fire spreading. I am personally aware of four other individuals under this safety recall, #09047, that have had the same problem to the degree the engine has overheated and will need replacement but still gm refuses to correct the actual safety issue. These people have been stranded, narrowly avoided an accident, and even had to put a small fire out them self. Minimizing a significant fire threat is not nearly sufficient when it can be prevented.
Only by observing a slight but lesser coolant level in the overflow jug of my 1999 lumina l/s passenger car, were we made aware of this costly defect at such an early stage. A subsequent and closer look at the applicable areas, resulted in confirmation of a leak at the intake manifold. At a cost of $850.00 to replace gaskets and vital fluids, I was very surprised to encounter such a heavy duty repair for this low mileage and vigilantly looked after chevy product. Fortunately for me the discovery was made prior to an engine overheat, which would certainly have resulted in more sever and expensive repairs. Much thanks to my husband for his meticulous care of our chevy vehicles.
Vehicle had multiple problems with the coolant leaking out of the intake manifold. Vehicle was taken to dealer for repair, and consumer was told that the head gaskets needed repairs.
My 1999 lumnia, at 28,000 miles developed a coolant leak around the intake gasket and head gasket. Was small but dealer replaced the battery, then a week later the alternator, at 38,000 the coolant leak was very noticeble. $$$ to replace gaskets when I was told the manufactuer knew of the bad gaskets used in its manufactureing.
There was coolant leaking from underneath the vehicle, causing vehicle to overheat. Dealership is aware of problem.
Service bulletins that may apply
- Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
- Engine oil or coolant leak
- Engine coolant consumption or coolant leak (inspect for material degradation/replace intake manifolds) tt...
- New upper intake manifold and gasket kits
- New rear main seal and special tool for installation
- Engine intake manifold coolant leak
- Engine oil or coolant leak
- Revised piston pin removal / installation procedure
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 1998-1999 Chevrolet Lumina and Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1997-2004 Buick Regal and Pontiac Grand Prix, 2000-2004 Chevrolet Impala, and 1998-2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. The affected vehicles were previously repaired under recalls 08V‑118, 09V‑116, and 15V‑201 to address the possibility that engine oil may drip onto the hot exhaust manifold.
- Risk
- Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.
- Remedy
- The remedy applied under recalls 08V‑118, 09V‑116, and 15V‑201 did not adequately remove the safety risk. Under the improved remedy, dealers will replace the engines front valve cover and gasket. Vehicles that are covered by recalls 08V‑118, 09V‑116, or 15V‑201 that have not yet received the original remedy will instead receive the improved remedy under the original recall number. The recall began on February 19, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020, Buick customer service at 1‑800‑521‑7300, Oldsmobile customer service at 1‑800‑442‑6537 and Pontiac customer service at 1‑800‑458‑8006. GM's number for this recall is 15757. Note: Until the improved remedy has been applied, owners are advised to park their vehicle outside since the fire risk exists even when the vehicle is unattended.
Recall number 15V701000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling
- What is wrong
- General motors is recalling 1,497,516 my 1997-2003 buick regal, my 1998-2003 chevrolet lumina, monte carlo and impala, my 1998-1999 oldsmobile intrigue, my 1997-2003 pontiac grand prix vehicles equipped with a 3.8l v6 naturally aspirated engine. Some of these vehicles have a condition in which drops of engine oil may be deposited on the exhaust manifold through hard braking.
- Risk
- If the manifold is hot enough and the oil runs below the heat shield, it may ignite into a small flame and may spread to the plastic spark plug wire channel and beyond increasing the risk of an engine compartment fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the engines front valve cover and front-valve-cover gasket with new parts of an improved design and remove the engines plastic cover and plastic oil-fill-tube extension, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during may 2016. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438, oldsmobile at 1‑800‑630‑6537, and pontiac at 1‑800‑620‑7668 or http://www.pontiac.com or http:www.gmownercenter.com.
Recall number 09V116000 · Recall details
Questions about the 1999 Chevrolet Lumina overheating
Is engine overheating a common problem on the 1999 Chevrolet Lumina?
8 of 103 owner complaints about the 1999 Chevrolet Lumina (8%) mention engine overheating. The model year with the most reports is 1995.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1999 Chevrolet Lumina?
There are 2 recalls and 14 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 1999 Chevrolet Lumina
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