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Oldsmobile Intrigue: Problems & Solutions
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Comments
Thinner air would reduce the cooling effect, but the car should certainly be able to handle it. Have you ever replaced the thermostat? It could be intermittantly sticking, or not opening up fully. Also, make sure the engine belt is in good shape, and not slipping over the water pump (like if it were oily). Did you say you use 100% Dex-cool? If that is the case, empty it out and use a 50/50 mixture with clean water. Water is what does the actual cooling. Water transfers heat like nobody's business. The coolant (plus pressure) just helps change the boiling/freezing points of the water, prevents the water from corroding the engine and cooling system, and serves as a lubricant for the water pump. It doesn't really have any great heat transferring ability.
If the coolant mix is the problem and you are going to flush it then you might do some other things as well. If you never changed the thermostat, then you should do this as a preventative measure. Same thing with the radiator cap. They aren't expensive, but can cause expensive repairs when they stop working (especially the thermostat). You might also want to change the hoses too.
You could also install a lower temperature T-stat, as the OE one is 195 degrees F. There are several other choices, 180, 160 etc..Stant, Robertshaw and NAPA all make 'em. This will allow your engine to run cooler, without a lot of work...Good luck..
Jtoth, how about an update on the situation? Did you fix it yet? What have you tried? Thanks.
Lower temp thermostats are usually used for a performance gain by keeping the engine cooler when it would be possible to run cool (i.e. the only reason it warms up to 190 is because the thermostat makes it). They don't do anything when the conditions cause the engine to run hotter than the original thermostat.
Interesting that you tell me to get a clue, but then you go off about timing advance and detonation. What does that have to do with overheating?
Perhaps you should explain to me how a 160 thermostat will help a car with a 190 degree thermostat that runs at 220+ degrees, instead of just being rude.
You are right, we don't know what is wrong with the guy's car that brought this up. Nor do we know how he resolved it (if he did). However, you advertised low-temp thermostats as a cure for overheating. They are not. They are useful for performance for a car that has adequate cooling capacity and can actually maintain a lower temperature. If a car is overheating, it rather obviously cannot maintain a lower temp...
First off, if anybody was rude, it was you...you need to read your posts, as they do seem that way to me...if you think that making a statement like I did is rude, you are too thin skinned for this forum...And my statements on the performance virtues of a lower thermostat are "going off"??? You are the one who is going off...I already tried to explain.....How do you know it is acutally at 220+ degrees? You don't!! If the gauge or the sender is faulty, he may not even have a overheating problem...And you don't even own an Intrigue....
Also, I don't think the context of my statement about "going off" infers what you seem to think it does. I didn't mean "going off" like you were raging or venting. I meant you were going off on a tangent, on an unrelated point.
If in fact the gauge or sender is faulty, a lower temp thermostat would not resolve that either. You made a point that jtoth should try a lower temp thermostat, and I simply opined that it probably wouldn't help his problem. My goal was only to offer some information to the gentleman that posted a cooling question. You certainly don't have to agree with my opinion, but I do believe I am entitled to offer it. Even if I don't own an Intrigue...
Thanks!
KarenS
Host
Owners Clubs
The NHTSA also is pushing ahead a study of about 500,000 mid-size GM sedans and minivans for a possible steering defect. Reuters says more than 1200 people have reported locked steering while driving; 28 crashes have also been reported. The models involved include the 1997 Chevrolet Venture and Malibu; Olds Silhouette and Cutlass; Pontiac Grand Prix and Tran Sport; and the 1998 Olds Intrigue. This stage of investigation precedes a formal recall, although not all similar studies are elevated to a full recall.
I consider myself lucky that I got rid of the car after 2.5 years and only lost $15,200 in depreciation. I think it's a wonderful thing that GM is doing to eliminate these Intrigue problems for the car buying community.
Olds has had to replace many of these components. Sometimes several times to get a permanent repair.
I have had the "lube" in my 2002, but still have the occasional groan that tells me that more substantial attention may have to be paid at some point in my 5 year warranty.
I would probably insist that they somehow "certify" that fix, or agree to do additional work if the problem reappears after your 90 days.
Other wise, replace the parts in warranty.
Would an Autozone be able to diagnose this for no charge? Is the repair job fairly straight-forward so I could do it myself? If not, would I be better off taking it in to my dealer or go private?
Thanks much.
If it is a dead battery, try letting the jumper cables sit for a few minutes to put some charge in the battery. Then try starting it. If the battery is really really dead it can prevent the jump start from working.
Havent had this in to the dealer yet. Anyone else had this problem? Soultion? Thanks, Buck
I bought texaco GM dex cool approved anti-freeze and poured 2/3 into the overflow reservoir. then went for a drive. the needle went up high, then came back down to where it should be. when I got home, I poured the rest of the gallon in the overflow tank. the needle has been fine since.
abnormal tire wear on the inner tread of the passenger side tire. I have seen it on one other Intrigue as well. But that one had it on all four. If anyone has this same problem, could you please let me know what you think the cause may be. If known. And for those of you who have not noticed, maybe you should yank a tire off and check. Wouldn't hurt. Thanks.
I now have developed an oil leak around the oil pan gasket. I've called several different places, but they all want $450 to replace the gasket. The only thing I can figure is that there is something in the way of the oil pan that they have to move. Otherwise it should take less than 30 minutes to change the gasket.
Be thankful your car was totalled - it probably save you lots of headaches in the long run.
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#71 of 90 Intermediate Steering Shaft by likeswheni Jul 09, 2002 (02:37 pm)
Just bought a 1999 Intrigue GLS a few weeks ago with the 3 month GM warranty. Within a few days I noticed what seemed to be something buckling or knocking around as if loose in what seemed to be the steering column, although i can also feel it in the break pedal. I just brought it to the dealer and they said they'd lube the intermediate steering shaft. I don't see how lubing something will stop whatever it is from moving around, but my question is, will the lube job just fix it long enough for the warranty to expire or is it a real repair? Thanks alot.
Thanks for any help; also FYI, if anyone ever has a power window motor go south on them it's the easiest thing in the world to replace and can be done in about an hour max with a screw driver and a socket set and the motor for about $100 from the local parts store (dealer wanted close ~$500 to do it).
Apparently there isn't enough pressure in the fuel line and the regulator controls the pump. It's as if the pump is caught asleep at its post, and then it jumps up and groggily does its job.
Ask them to check the fuel pressure regulator.
(BTW, they replaced BOTH of my crank sensors before they found the real problem)
Good luck!
The GM solution for the clunking problem you are having in the steering column of your intrigue is to lubricate the intermediate steering shaft (or column?). Its a very common intrigue problem, but the lubrication seems to work. (you can do a search of this message board and find out more). Mine hasn't been a problem in the 3 months since it was fixed, although I am worried I may have to re-lubricate it every so often. I think it would have cost about $80 at the dealer, maybe more, but mine was fixed under warranty so I can't quite remember. Good luck. The link below has more.
http://service.gm.com/gmtechlink/Nov2001/articles/steeringshaft.html
I have a 98 Intrigue GL that just clicked over 48,000 miles. As soon as that happened, the transmission began slipping terribly. It's sitting at the dealer now, who says that it's shot. That's a $2,400+ repair on a car whose blue book isn't even $7,000.
No response yet from Oldsmobile as to whether they would like to participate in funding this repair.
Any others with similar problems?
Tom