Ghost Coolant Leak

[SavageBrewer]

Ok, well I have a 2007 GP, 3800 Series III engine, 68,000 miles, no performance parts, bone stock grocery getter

I have a coolant leak that appears to happen after the car shuts off, I cant see the leak itself yet, but it appears to be on the passenger side towards the back.
First noticed it about 3 weeks ago I went in the garage and I could smell antifreeze faintly. Backed the car out and there was a small oarnge puddle, about 3" in diameter.
I have been trying to track it down, and am coming to the conclusion that it is probably the plastic elbows or water pump. Unfortunately every thing is so tight back there I cannot get a good visual.

Any hints, tricks or ideas to track it down?

I am planning on taking it in on Thursday, would like to hopefully narrow down this issue before then.

[Fivefingerdeathpunch]

Could be coming from a hose going to and from the heatercore aswell.

If it leaks after the car is shut off, perhaps go drive it and jack up the front of the car and crawl under it with a light and try to see where the drips are coming from.

If you didnt live so far away from me, I'd come by and lend a hand.

[BillBoost37]

Before you start the car in the morning. Take your hand and wipe the areas around the hoses, elbows and water pump. Wherever your hand comes back wet...that's the location right below the leak. No need for vision, if you need a visiual though..grab a mirror.

[SavageBrewer]

ughhh
Cant find it, tonight pulled off the coolant reservoir and felt around both elbows,and the heater hoses, it was all dry...
guess it will wait until Thursday when I get it to the shop, they have hoists and a pressure tool to pump up the pressure in the system to try to see if we can find it. somehow went through almost a quart of antifreze today though.

so discouraging.

[nos4blood70]

Could it be possible that the rear LIM gasket has failed and is leaking externally onto the lower intake, pooling up and dripping off onto the ground?

[SlowNA06]

Colonel Mustard, the engine bay, with a pinhole in a coolant elbow?

[SavageBrewer]

It is at the shop now, they are going to do a more thorough inspection and if we cant find it, they are going to put an ultraviolet dye in the coolant so they can track it with a black light.

oh well...

[EJOUIE]

Get rid of the orange stuff. Dexcool + air = acid, which leads to dead gaskets.

[BillBoost37]

Get rid of the orange stuff. Dexcool + air = acid, which leads to dead gaskets.

Old dex forumula might have had this issue. However it's not the gasket killer. All the major manufacturers used plastic gaskets like GM and all had issues.

[SavageBrewer]

Well it has been a long expensive day, but all needed to make my GP ready for another 70,000 miles...
But on the positive, no more leak, I now have heat, weird noise in the front end is gone and have traction..
New Items:
Water Pump
Coolant Elbows
Heater Core
Thermostat
Front Wheel Bearings
Brakes
Tires
4 wheel alignment
... ...

Have a feeling the rear struts will be next.

Oh the main culprit of the "gohst leak" was both elbows, they were broke inside the tensioner assy, so if the system has pressure while cooling down it leaked. When hot under pressure no leak. But by the time we were that far in, heck it was only an additional $50 to put in a new lifetime water pump, figured why not...

Ohh how vehicle maintenance sucks some days.

[SlowNA06]

Grand Prixs be throwin' 'bows.