I have a naturally aspirated 2000 GP that left me stalled last weekend on my way home from work. I know 3.8L's are nitorous for having intake manifold leaks causing coolant leaks, but I'm wondering if that would also cause the car to start and then seconds later die.

Before the car stalled it started running poorly, followed by the check engine light flashing and then seconds later the engine turning off completely. At this time all my gauges looked fine, the car wasn't overheating. When I popped the hood I noticed immediately that the coolant resivour was empty. At first I thought the coolant may have leaked into the cylinders explaining the poor performance. I pulled 4 out of 6 plugs (the other two are difficult to get to and I've been lazy) and did not find any coolant. There is difinately coolant leaking from the intake manifold becuase I found a trail running down the back drivers side of the engine. I checked the diagnostic codes and they were P0300 random/multiple misfire (obviously) and P141 O2 Sensor Heater Fault Bank1 Sensor 2 (probably becuase of the misfire). My oil is not cloudy, so I don't beleive any coolant leaked into there.

My main question is, could the intake manifold leaking cause the car not to run, or should I be looking for some other problem as well? Also, would it be the upper or lower manifold that is leaking?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

The intake could be leaking internally...meaning that it could be leaking right into the lower intake runner. Probably should pull all of the plugs and see which cylinder is bad. The manifold should be replaced immediately regardless if you see the coolant.

If it has cracked, then you will have these exact symptoms, and it's possible the coolant has gotten into the O2 sensor.

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GreenBastardPerformance2000 GTP Coupe (the green bastard)
XP, Pacesetters, LS1 TB & MAF,MSD System, P&P LIM, P&P GenV w/ 3.2, 3.0, 2.8, Devil'sOwn Injected 100% Methanol,PowerTuned, TripleEdge Trans w/3.29's
12.92 @ 105mph