Pontiac Repair: Pontiac-coolant smell/misses cold, oil filler cap, intake manifold gasket

Question
Hello,I have a 2001 Pontiac Grand Am SE 4 dr. with 3.4L v6,Automatic,[Not a GT]. I have been smelling coolant and notice slight engine miss for a few seconds when started cold {after sits overnight}- I see no leaks,and recovery jug doesent appear to be losing anything,but I do see some steam when idling at 200-210 degrees. Thanks!!

Answer
Hey John:

you could have 2 different issues here or they can be related..

if you smell coolant on the inside with the heater on it could be a heater core leaking coolant. If you smell coolant outside the car it's leaking or seeping.. The most common cause on these cars are either a lower intake manifold gasket or a water pump leaking.. pull out the dip stick and make sure the oil doesn't look milky in color.. Alos take off the oil filler cap and make sure ther is not white milky substance on the under side of the cap if so it's leaking coolant into the engine and that could cause you miss on a cols start.. If not the cold start coulb be cause by something as simple as fuel quality. if you live in a cold climate like I do too much alcohol content in the fuel will cause a cold start issue for sure.. GM's cars that are not of a flex fuel which yours is not do not like to run on fuel that has more the 10% alcohol content anymore then that and they can and will starnge cold.

Good luck :)