1994 chevy lumina mini van
#1
1994 chevy lumina mini van
I have a 1994 Chevy Lumina mini van. It has the 3.1 in it I blew the head gasket. It's the one near the fire wall. What I would like to know is has anyone ever replaced this head gasket it is in a tight place as some of you might know. If anyone has changed this and has any easy way to do it I would appreciate if you could let me know. Thank you.
#2
If you were to read up on the how-to's in one of the auto supply store manuals you can buy, I bet it would scare you into not wanting to tackle it. I have read these manuals regarding dismantling stuff, and it borders on ...or is...ridiculous.
It was bad enough trying to figure out how I could slip the new generator belt on my tractor this last week, with the fan belt in it's way, and the crank pulley almost up against the frame so that the fan belt would not hardly be able to be removed. I figured out, on my own, a way to do it. I called up Criss Angel and asked for assistance.
Seriously, I found that I cold dismantle the fan shaft assembly and slide the whole thing forward, allowing the fanblade to hit the radiator fins and just at that point the shaft, with gentle coaxing, rocked out of the way and I was able to slip on the new generator belt from the rear without taking off the fan belt. Don't ask me what I'll ever do if THAT belt broke.
It was bad enough trying to figure out how I could slip the new generator belt on my tractor this last week, with the fan belt in it's way, and the crank pulley almost up against the frame so that the fan belt would not hardly be able to be removed. I figured out, on my own, a way to do it. I called up Criss Angel and asked for assistance.
Seriously, I found that I cold dismantle the fan shaft assembly and slide the whole thing forward, allowing the fanblade to hit the radiator fins and just at that point the shaft, with gentle coaxing, rocked out of the way and I was able to slip on the new generator belt from the rear without taking off the fan belt. Don't ask me what I'll ever do if THAT belt broke.
#3
I've not acutally had the pleasure of doing one of these, but one of my coworkers did not too long ago. You can remove the windshield wiper module from the van and it opens up a world of space in there. Removing the intake is probably much more of a pain that actually removing the head. I have done one of those... WooHoo... Loads of fun there. I would recommend doing both head gaskets as the 3.1 were quite famous for head gasket and intake gasket leaks. Are you absolutely sure it is the head gasket and not just the intake?
Hope this helps ya,
Billy
Hope this helps ya,
Billy
#4
70 Chevelle (OP poster)...68 Chevelle (moderator). I should have made my username 69 ss Chevelle, as that is what *I* had, and then we would have had something very strange occur in this forum where 3 people who responded in a row had cars and names that reflected the years 68, 69, and 70.
#5
Awww...come on. How easy does if have to be. I mean Chevrolet only calls for 12 hours to replace that head gasket. If it was an easier, you could have one of the neighborhood kids do it! (Extreme sarcasm)
Seriously, no easy way...although I love Chevrolet's directions:
Remove or disconnect:
1. Drain coolant system
2. Rocker arm covers
3. Intake manifold
4. Exhaust crossover pipe
5. Exhaust manifold
6 Oil level indicator
7. Loosen rocker arms until able to remove push rods
8. Cylinder head bolts
9. Cylinder head
They make it seem so easy don't they?
By the way, it's less time to replace the engine assembly...*cough* *cough* (put a used engine in).
If you think about it...that's probably safer anyway if you really have a blow head gasket. You could go though all that trouble and blow out the bottom half of the motor upon cranking it back up.
Are you sure it's blown by the way? I've seen severe lower intake manifold leaks on those 3.1's that do a good imitation of a blow head gasket. Just food for thought. (Replaced one today as a matter of fact...what a coincidence.)
Seriously, no easy way...although I love Chevrolet's directions:
Remove or disconnect:
1. Drain coolant system
2. Rocker arm covers
3. Intake manifold
4. Exhaust crossover pipe
5. Exhaust manifold
6 Oil level indicator
7. Loosen rocker arms until able to remove push rods
8. Cylinder head bolts
9. Cylinder head
They make it seem so easy don't they?
By the way, it's less time to replace the engine assembly...*cough* *cough* (put a used engine in).
If you think about it...that's probably safer anyway if you really have a blow head gasket. You could go though all that trouble and blow out the bottom half of the motor upon cranking it back up.
Are you sure it's blown by the way? I've seen severe lower intake manifold leaks on those 3.1's that do a good imitation of a blow head gasket. Just food for thought. (Replaced one today as a matter of fact...what a coincidence.)
#6
Think I'm going to repo auction tomorrow!
Here is what happened I was coming home from N.Y.C got as far as Albany. looked at temp gage and she was in the red. As soon as I could since I was on the thruway I pulled over and she was steaming. A state trooper pulled over called a tow $148.00 I was right near the ramp. I bought a new water pump had some tools changed the pump filled it up off I went. I had to get to Syracuse where I live. The van was running good at speed but at Idle she sounded like a 69 Z-28 with a 302 and dual carbs. She was sucking down the gas to but the temp. gage stayed fine. I finally got home let her cool down and the anti-freeze was right up to the neck almost. Checked oil no milky substance. The engine light was on so I jumped the terminals got 2 codes 14 and 45 temp. sensor and oxygen sensor. Next day I brought her to a garage that I know he called me and said it was the head gasket rear and to change it $1500 to 2000.00. What I can't understand is why she is not over heating or water in the oil no smoke out the back good power on highway but stumbles at red lights. I know the exhaust is loose where it goes to the rear manifold. I just don't know if I should pull the intake off or change the O2 sensor and temp. sensor. I never seen a car run good like this with a blown head gasket. I'm not going to put that kind of money in it. Is there anyway to test to see if it is the intake manifold i just can't believe it's the head gasket. But then again I'm not into front wheel drives. If the head gasket was gone why is the anti freeze staying up.
#8
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Originally Posted by 70chevelless
The engine light was on so I jumped the terminals got 2 codes 14 and 45 temp. sensor and oxygen sensor. Next day I brought her to a garage that I know he called me and said it was the head gasket rear and to change it $1500 to 2000.00. What I can't understand is why she is not over heating or water in the oil no smoke out the back good power on highway but stumbles at red lights. If the head gasket was gone why is the anti freeze staying up.
Christopher
#9
Sounds like the head gasket may have blown between the combustion chamber and one of the oil supply passageways. Thus, hot exhaust gases are getting into the oil system and creating enough pressure to blow out the pcv valve...
Of course, at this point the alternative is to trash the van...so it may not be a bad idea just to give the coolant temp sensor and o2 sensor a try. Both can cause the vehicle to run rough if they are bad. Although, try just the temp sensor first as an exhaust leak can cause an o2 to show bad even when it isn't.
Of course, at this point the alternative is to trash the van...so it may not be a bad idea just to give the coolant temp sensor and o2 sensor a try. Both can cause the vehicle to run rough if they are bad. Although, try just the temp sensor first as an exhaust leak can cause an o2 to show bad even when it isn't.
#10
All I know is!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank God it's not the Chevelle though that would be no problem to change and being a big block it probably wouldn't have gone so fast. All I would worrie about on that would be the paint. The van no I don't think I'm going to get into that I'm not going to go under it just to fix a mini-van I'll play around with her but I got her at the repo auction six years ago and she has never caused me any trouble so I think it's time to say that's all. I'll just have to look around for something before winter. I still have a lifted Z71 Chevy pickup that will kill me on gas but I'll drive her around until I see something. I just don't know why they build them like that. I think they need to stop making front wheel drives and start going back to rear drives. Thank you all for the help.
#11
Daveboy..... if it will make you feel any better, I have a 69 Malibu also. My first car was a 69SS and I have owned a 67 Malibu as well. Do you feel tingly on the back of yer neck yet???LOL
70chevelless.... It sounds like you have a plan.
Good Luck.
Billy
70chevelless.... It sounds like you have a plan.
Good Luck.
Billy