Sporadic overheating coolant disappearing engine stalls

[Ben Gatte]

Hello. This is my first post, Hello. I have 1995 Buick Roadmaster with an Lt1 engine, presumably same as Cadillac and Corvette? In any any case, the "add coolant" light came on a while back-- 2 months? And I couldn't immediately detect anything amiss however now the overflow radiator basin is often low and the car seems to be moderately consuming coolant (when low, I add antifreeze water mix, 50/50, the green kind, every now and again) although I can't find any leak-- no telltale stain in driveway. Recent history-- last four months-- the car did overheat a couple of times, but I think I might have caught it before the engine was fully blown... I stopped as soon as i realized but heat indicator needle was way over in red and car was steaming. Added available water and as I say, didn't seem like there was damage... But who's to say-- the car runs jerky and now often stalls out at a light or intersection. And yet she still runs and has plenty of power...although I don't use it every day and now that winter-- which may be helping to keep car cool-- is ending I'm somewhat concerned. My question is-- can/should I replace head gasket and/or would a rebuild be cost prohibitive? Or can I just keep running her foe many years as she is until the engine completely dies (currently 178,000 miles). The car made it from philadelphia to Buffalo and back, and fortunately being winter did not seem to overheat any... The car gets very poor gas mileage-- always did, but now even worse-- but as I say, still seems to have plenty of life left. On highway car runs really very well... Is it ruining on seven or six cylinders and that is enough to make me think thugs are fine? Is water/coolant leaking into engine and I am setting myself up for eventual major damage and costly repair? Other than stalling out when coming to complete stop-- I have learned to feed just the slightest amount of gas and car jerks but more often does not completely die-- and I keep going... Perhaps there is only the head gasket that is leaking and could be repaired or maybe add some kind of gunk or sealant to radiator/oil? I am aware that would be too easy but I keep seeing advertisements for such stuff.... Also, there is a bit of that mustard colored gook on inside of oil cap. No smoke, just poor glass mileage and often bucks and stalls. Any advice for good Roadmaster mechanic in Philadelphia? I truly love this car (should be no surprise to anyone here). Thank you!

 

[old white man]

Sounds like a head gasket or worse if there is water in the oil, which seems to be indicated.

I'm afraid the cost to repair at retail rates probably effectively totals the vehicle.