2009 Malibu coolant problems
 

Friend of mine has a 09 Malibu, 2.4 L engine, losing pint of coolant in 30 miles! Pulled plugs, cylinders are dry. No leaks on ground. Crankcase oil is "milky". Head gasket or water pump are usual suspects, anything else he should consider (other than buying a used Pontiac) ?

The 2.4 ecotech's are known for water pump failures, but it is not a 5 minute job as the waterpump is run by the timing chain and requires the use of a keeper tool, and if it were my car I would plan on changing the timing chain and guides at the same time as it isn't that much more work. It's a weekend job if you do it yourself, a shop will charge $1200-2500 depending on your location for the job, plus parts.

Do you see any external leakage? A head gasket or cracked head is possible also. How many miles on the car?

Thanks for your reply, I'll pass along the info.........

....and no water on ground, I'll find out how may miles it has rung up

135K

Unfortunately if the car has been driven much with a "milkshake" in the crankcase, the bearings are also probably damaged. Just a bad situation overall. I personally would find it hard to invest the necessary $$$ to repair that engine. Kelly Blue book lists the value of that car at $860.00 in running condition. Not much room to work with on that one.

What engine?