The car only has -40K miles on it. I got it last summer w/32K miles on it and noticed after I changed the oil that it had a slight orange tint to it. I thought that it could've just been from sitting a while. Well the next oil change it had the same color (1500 miles later). I've changed it 3 times since then and still the same color. Yes I also changed the filter each time.

The other day the "Low Coolant" light came on while I was about 50 miles away from home. I pulled over to the nearest Shell station and looked under the hood only to find that the coolant had moved down to the "Cold" line on the reservoir. I just used straight water to get it up to the "Hot" line. About 10 miles down the road the dash light came on again. I pulled over and it was down to the "Cold" line again.

I let the car sit running for a few minutes looking for any drips under the engine. Nothing. Then it hit me. I turned it off and pulled the oil dipstick. Sure as **** the oil was orange and cloudy, and WAY above the "Full" mark.

I know that the possible causes are head gasket, cracked head, or cracked block, but could it be as simple as an intake gasket? I know I'll have to pull it off to find out for sure, but is this even possible?

One more thing. Anyone know of simple thing that it could be? Maybe something I overlooked? I doubt if that's possible, but never hurts to ask. And are there any quick fixes (temporary of course) that I can use just to trade the SOB in before the engine locks up? I've changed the oil and filter again today and used some "Barr's Stop Leak" in the radiator to try and slow it down, but no such luck. It's no where near as cloudy, but there are still bubbles on the valve cover, as well as on the radiator cap .

ANY help would be greatly thanked,
AJ

 

To me, it sounds like a blown head gasket or the head itself. Head gasket blown= better than a blown head. Blown head= sucks, but better that a cracked block. Cracked block= forget it. Replacing the gasket is a heck of a lot better than a head. I wouldn't ditch it over a gasket, a head maybe, a block FOR SURE. You may want to get a more mehanically inclined person's opinion, but that's what I think and would do. Didn't happen to change the water pump by any chance did you (or previous owner)??

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2.8 mpfi
My only mod: Flowmaster 40 series
check my home page for pics

 

I'm hoping that my prob is just the the intake manifold gasket too, but not with my luck. The people I got the bird from also found coolant in the oil. When I finally get my "kitchen pass" to start on this, I also plan to replace the oil pump, screen & pickup. These could rust some due to the introduced moisture.et

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85 Firebird. $150.00
2.8 Auto.
Blown Head Gasket.
turbo has arrived,

 

You will end up rebuild the heads (if it needs it & it will), resurfacing the heads (run it on a planer to flatten head, NO NEED FOR MILLING!!).
You will need to also replace the oil pump, no need for replacing the screen.
It's a mission. BUT the engine will run GREAT with the effort involved!! You also replace the water pump & timing chain.
I am awaiting to replace my oil pump on my S-10 Blazer. I did the heads and I have little to no pressure. Oil Pump went bad. Oh well. I've got the pump, not the time. I'm moving, could use the truck, but.....

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Chat Soon,
KED85
Karl
1985 Firebird 2.8 to 3.4 swap project for Smog Happy LA, CA