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[Dee34]

Hello everyone!! I am new here and was seriously needing some help! I have a 97 Olds Cutlass that has just started running hot. I have changed the water pump and the raditor but it still runs hot!! I noticed when I checked my oil, steam came from the filler. Not a whole lot but enough to notice. I was told I need an intake gasket. Is this the symptom before I start tearing this car apart? I have changed the theromstat in the past....but will this cause your car to run hot. Also, I'm loosing coolant but no leaks...well anymore. But coolant is low. PLEASE ANY ADVICE WOULD BE HELPFUL!! P.S. oil does't look milky. 

[Kevin Wood]

Welcome to the forum.

It's normal to get a little steam from the crankcase as water is a product of combustion, neither is this necessarily a symptom of a head gasket failure, as most failures won't contaminate the oil.

Is it misfiring at all? After startup, in particular?

Losing coolant and running hot can be symptoms of a failure. It might be worth getting the fumes in the coolant header tank checked for exhaust gases, and also do a compression check to be sure.

Unfortunately, it's not a car we're that familiar with here.

[cem_devecioglu]

Welcome to the forum.

It's normal to get a little steam from the crankcase as water is a product of combustion, neither is this necessarily a symptom of a head gasket failure, as most failures won't contaminate the oil.

Is it misfiring at all? After startup, in particular?

Losing coolant and running hot can be symptoms of a failure. It might be worth getting the fumes in the coolant header tank checked for exhaust gases, and also do a compression check to be sure.

Unfortunately, it's not a car we're that familiar with here.

[dbug]

Assuing yours is a V6 . . .  quote from Olds Forum . . .

"April 24, 2006: General Motors has been slapped with a class action lawsuit in Canada. The suit comes after this CTV Whistleblower report that revealed problems with a small engine part in millions of GM vehicles. The lawsuit alleges GM is at fault for the failure of intake manifold gaskets in several of its vehicles.

It's a simple component buried deep under the hood -- in some one million General Motors vehicles sold in Canada alone. It has the potential to cause huge headaches though, for the GM vehicle owners.

It's an intake manifold gasket, put in at the GM factories, in some makes and models between 1995 and 2003. According to GM's own internal service bulletin, the part can "degrade" -- causing coolant to leak -- sometimes into the engine. Several vehicle repair mechanics told CTV that in the worst case scenario, the coolant mixes with engine oil -- making the oil ineffective -- and damaging the engine.

They say in extreme cases, the engines overheat and seize completely"

Looks like you do need an intake manifold gasket, sooner rather than later!!

HTH 

Welcome to OOF by rhe way 

[2woody]

the Cutlass is a V6, but not the one fitted to Omega B. The 90degree V6 was never sold by GM in Europe as far as I know.

[doz]

from what I understand it only had 12 valves as well

[Dee34]

Thanks EVERYONE so much for responding!! We did replace the intake gasket, thermostat, valve cover gasket, and did an oil change. Now...it is still running hot. The strange thing is when I turn my a/c on...it DOES NOT run hot!!  !! However, when I check the resevoir to see if I need to ass more water...I DO!! !! I'm so confused because this is the only car I have and my bank account is seriously running low trying to keep it on the road!! I was told about some sealant that could last me for a while...I only need it to last until I can save up for another car. I'm not sure if this is a good idea but at this point I am desparate. I have a small child and without a car is NOT an option right now! Thank u guys again so very much for the advice and help on my issue!!

[Kevin Wood]

If the situation improves with the air conditioning on, you might have a problem with the cooling fan switch (normally in the radiator, but not familiar with the Cutlass). Often, the air con system will enable the radiator fans anyway, so any overheating caused by a failure of the fans to cut in can be masked.

[cem_devecioglu]

did you try compression test (disable ignition and fuel pump) ?
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_tbksFYhl4
 
"I was told about some sealant that could last me for a while..."
 
dont use those evil additives.. they may make the picture worse earlier than you expect ..
 
 
also you can disconnect the rad hoses and try lime dissolvers to clean the rad which can help..