Pretty terrible way to end the day

[01DenaliHiker]

So, I finished lowering my 2001 Denali tonight.

On the way back to the house my low coolant light comes on. I think, no big deal, I have some coolant at the house.

Two jugs later.....

I start getting annoyed, then it hits me, if it's not pouring out..... It's got to be pouring IN.

Yup..... Crankcase full of cappuccino. I'm super OCD about my oil changes and have never had an issue and actually drive like a grandmother that left her "driving" glasses at home. But it looks like the ol grocery getter let herself go tonight.

I'm pretty upset about the whole thing and just using this to vent a little before I literally get my face caved in when I tell the old lady I threw money at this thing and the head gasket put it's two weeks in two weeks ago.

 

[Doubeleive]

 

[SnowDrifter]

Say didn't some of those come with an oil cooler?

 

[01DenaliHiker]

Say didn't some of those come with an oil cooler?

Yes, pretty sure it was RPO KC4 which I have. Why?

 

[drakon543]

means if its the oil cooler that runs through the radiator you might just have a bad radiator and everything else is ok.

 

[01DenaliHiker]

means if its the oil cooler that runs through the radiator you might just have a bad radiator and everything else is ok.

I'm beginning to think that's what it is. Not having any compression issues, no coolant coming from exhaust, no exhaust coming through coolant system; the driver's side of the tank looks coated in gunk compared to the passenger side. Guess I'll do that first, radiator with only the transmission cooler lines and get a block off plate for the engine oil cooler. Unless it's absolutely necessary, I've had buddies delete them swapping LQ4s into Camaros without issue.

 

[iamdub]

Yeah, you'd have to have one hell of a leak in the cylinder head or block to move that much coolant into the crankcase. You'd have obvious engine operation issues. Hoping for the best!

 

[01DenaliHiker]

So. Y'all aren't going to believe this. I wouldn't either, I should've taken pictures.

Everyone knows the coolant bypass for the throttle body?

Well the previous owner apparently did not, not correctly anyway. Instead of pulling both lower hoses and connecting them, he used the vacuum hose on top and connected it to the coolant hose..... Yup, true freaking story.

Now you're probably asking yourself;

"How did this idiot (me) not know of this earlier?"

After realizing the mistake, instead of putting things where they belonged they put a cheap hose clamp with what looked to be a larger hose inside to cavitate the line. The screw portion rusted off, and then BAM! Free flowing coolant directly into my passenger side valve cover, and me checking compression and standing there clueless as everything is perfect.

Crisis avoided, flushed the engine and coolant system today, bypassed properly, put my vacuum line back on where it should've always been and we're back in business!!!

 

[Rocket Man]

That was a stupid useless mod even when done properly. Some mods should have never been invented and that’s one, it does nothing except make it (slightly) easier to remove your TB, and how many times have you had to do that? Glad you figured out your problem.

 

[01DenaliHiker]

That was a stupid useless mod even when done properly. Some mods should have never been invented and that’s one, it does nothing except make it (slightly) easier to remove your TB, and how many times have you had to do that? Glad you figured out your problem.

Especially when you cut the lines so short I can't even slide it on enough to tighten it back down. So it's bypassed until I buy some new line when my catch can comes in. Luckily we have a plethora of brass fittings at my work, because it took four different things screwed together to get them mated.

You should've seen the tack welded sleeve "cup" deal I found when replacing the sway bar links, it was truly something. Slowly, but surely I'm finding all the wild issues made by "machinist" folks who obviously were just methin round.

I've removed my throttle body once, to install a heat shield under my intake, which was worth every penny.