My report: original diagnostic code was 3rd cylinder spark plug. Symptoms were consistent with this. Car drove fine that evening until the engine had trouble, sputtered and shut off. Mechanic looked at it and determined there was no coolant and came to the conclusion that the engine failed because this model and year is known for coolant leak internally by intake manifold gasket. There were no signs of coolant leak externally prior to this, didn't blow white smoke out the back, the low coolant light didn't go on, the oil was full, no milky stuff in radiator either, the car drove like new, and the car only had 76,000 miles on it. The car had one previous owner and was well-maintained by that owner and myself. I bought it 2 years ago with only 38,000 miles on it. I looked into why the intake manifold gasket would leak and found 2 reports. Because this was a defect, I should be compensated with and engine or money for the engine from chevy: problem reports: chevrolet lumina report: intake manifold gaskets may leak coolant or engine oil model years affected: 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001 engines affected: 3.1l v6, 3.4l v6, 3.8l v6 the intake manifold gasket may develop and external engine oil or coolant leak. In some cases, an internal coolant leak may occur causing coolant to mix with the engine oil. Our technicians tell us that operating the engine with a coolant/oil mix can result in internal engine damage. Replacing the intake manifold gasket should correct these leaks. Unfortunately the 3.1 litre engine has a manufacture flaw. The gasket is plastic and rubber. Over time the plastic cracks due the heat and the rubber seal fails. Felpro has redesigned that gasket. Instead of being plastic and rubber it is steel and rubber.
Chevrolet Lumina overheating problems
40 of the 2,945 owner complaints about the Chevrolet Lumina describe engine overheating, most of them for the 1995 model year.
- owner complaints
- 40
- worst model year
- 1995
- typical repair cost reported
- $850
- typical mileage
- 72,817
By model year
Often reported together
Engine failure 3Stalling 2Grinding brakes 2Brake failure 2Won't start 1Loss of power 1Headlights 1Door locks 1
What owners say
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
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.
Tl*the contact owns a 1995 chevrolet lumina. The contact stated that the vehicle continues to overheat and must constantly apply antifreeze. The vehicle has no visible leaks and while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The mechanic stated that antifreeze leaked into the engine and caused the failure. The current and failure mileages were 86,558.
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.
My daughter brought a used 1996 lumina.she drove it about a month before it started acting up. She lost heat and car would go to overheat and stall. When she got it checked she was told that the intake gasget was shot. This allowed the antifreeze go into the engine. As a result the seller won't do anything about it. She would have to pay more than she paid for it to repair it. So we are very dissapointed with the car. I would never buy one again as I found this is a very common think in luminas for several years running.
While pulling into the driveway consumer noticed a bright glow (fire)coming from the right side rear reflector light. The fire was extinguished by the father. The dealer was notified. *ak consumer found right rear marker lamp had overheated.
Car seemed to be overheating and running out of antifreeze much too often. Took it into a mechanic who told me my antifreeze was leaking into my oil, and that my head gaskets were cracked and leaking. Was told I would need a new engine, or the problem would just keep occurring.
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 Chevrolet Lumina overheating
Which Chevrolet Lumina years have engine overheating problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1995 (8 complaints), 1999 (8 complaints) and 1996 (7 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix engine overheating on the Chevrolet Lumina?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $850 (median of 5 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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