[saabyurk]

Here's my problem: I bought an early 04 2.0T Arc in 2007 with 33k miles. It has consistently dropped coolant level about a 1/4" per 3k miles. In 2008, the dealer did a pressure check and found no leaks, so I've lived with it. I now have 56k miles, and I finally decided to get a Blackstone analysis. It shows Potassium=100, Sodium=579, Antifreeze%=1.16 at only 4,274 miles on the oil. These values should only be 2, 18, and 0 respectively.

I have GM Protection Plan Major Guard which should cover a head gasket replacement. The Saab/Caddy dealership (I have to go to GM dealership because of GMPP) says they can't accept Blackstone report because it wasn't under their control. But even if I pay to have them do their own analysis in the future, they say those numbers wouldn't be enough proof of a head gasket problem because there are no other symptoms, and he doesn't think GM would approve gasket replacement. I say bull, those numbers can lead to bearing damage even though the Blackstone analysis shows no unusual wear (all other numbers were within normal ranges), and something should be done.

My question is, are there other ways for antifreeze to get into the oil on a manual shift car (block porosity problem)? What would you suggest I do, is there a way I can pressure GM? Maybe I should tell them I will be documenting this problem for a future lawsuit if my engine suffers early failure?

Thanks for your time, and yes, I've searched the forums, but didn't find quite what I was looking for.

 

[aerojon]

headgasket or goes porous..

get them to pressure test the cooling system..

 

[DanS]

Porous engine block. You should get a new engine. This is a known problem and they should work with you on it.

 

[BadBrains]

headgasket or goes porous..

get them to pressure test the cooling system..

Pressure testing the coolant system is a good idea but may not tell the whole story. Have a cylinder compression test and leak-down test done. They are not the same thing. Get a second opinion if needed.

 

[putergod]

Porous engine block. You should get a new engine. This is a known problem and they should work with you on it.

Is this a joke?

 

[Diggs]

Is this a joke?

There have been a few instances of porous blocks, not a large number IMO.

 

[jlrdrony]

this post remember my Opel Kadett (now RIP junkyard). It has consistently dropped coolant level about a 1/4" once per month.
I am not sure if there is a heater radiator inside the heater chamber (AC cabine)
in the center passengers site like in my opel kadett. I got a porosity radiator and all the coolant dropped it was under the carpet foam in the front passenger sites (driver and passenger) like a swimming pool under the carpet floor.

 

[Morel]

You could also have a small micro fracture in one of the cylinders... Happen to me..

However the Headgasket should be the first thing to check..

 

[saabyurk]

Thanks for the comments. I'm thinking porous block, although it's probably too late in the game to get any help from Saab. I should have tended to this 2 years ago, but I never thought a small antifreeze loss was a big deal. I stupidly thought porous blocks always leaked to the outside. Never occurred to me that they could leak to the inside. Well, at least the dealer is going to start documenting coolant loss and see what they can do for me. If it's a porous block, maybe I could talk Saab into a discount coupon on a next-gen Saab. A 92 would be especially nice.