My engine started leaking coolant, getting on the belts an making them squeak last night.

At my previous oil change the oil was very dirty, almost muddy. I now realize it was probably leaking coolant into the crankcase back then. The problem just got worse last night. The lower manifold gasket is suspected, but the mechanics haven't finished looking at it yet. I think this its ridiculous the government lets GM get away with having sold this poor of a product.

Update from Jan 11, 2011: It turns out it was the water pump causing the leaking coolant onto the belts. I'm not sure why the oil in the car keeps looking so dirty if coolant isn't getting into the oil. The mechanic tried some engine oil additivie maybe that will clean it. hope there isn't some sort of seeping leak into the oil, but the mechanics didn't find anything. I guess

I am ok with a water pump going out at 78k miles, so maybe engine wise the GM product is ok, instead of poor like I was thinking yesterday.

This is the second GM vehicle I've had the experience of the cylinder head gaskets needing to be replaced! 1997 Lumina car had very similar problems.

The gaskets they are using in the 2005 Impala (which just for the record are made of a plastic type material) are completely useless - especially when used with the Dexcool coolant, as recommended by GM. The two of these are a cocktail for disaster!

Fortunately, my mechanic caught the problem before the cylinder head gaskets completely went. (therefor no damage to the engine).

Initial problem/ Indicator: - Heater blowing out cold air (appeared to be a leak in the coolant system...) Took it the local mechanic, suspecting Thermostat trouble, or possible Heater Core blockage... - Came to discover Manifold Intake Gasket was in fact leaking... - Needed to replace these gaskets, and since GM's reputation preceeds itself I decided to replace cylinder head gasket the same time. Mechanic later informed me (after completing job) that I probably wouldn't have gotten anymore than a month out of the car; that the cylinder head gaskets were that bad!

WORD TO THE WISE: Get all gaskets replaced, if there is any indication that one is leaking. What's corrosive to one, is probably doing the number on all...

There should be a complete recall on all gaskets used in these motors. GM should be made to reimburse those affected (Warranty, or no warranty) for the damage inflicted, and expenses incurred by their faulty workmanship.

I would also imagine this could be a severe safety risk - as engine could have overheated, and possibly caught fire.

** I had no warning indicators come on to indicate any type of problem. Had it not been autumn, and my heater being turned on; I would have never been cued into this problem.