Thread: Replaced coolant elbows..leaking again

I replaced the coolant elbows on my 2004 gp about 3 weeks ago and had no problems until today, my car overheated and was leaking from behind the belt. Could these elbows be bad again or is there some trick to get them in there just right? The mechanic is telling me he would have to take the intake manifold off to get them in there right. I'd rather do it myself and at least see if it'll work. Has anyone else had this problem reoccur?

Matt

Mine went over the summer. Dumped all the coolant in about 15 secs. Ended up costing me $1k to get it fixed at a dealership. They did a couple other things too.

Originally Posted by copgtp

which elbows did you use? Dorman or ac delco?

I'm not sure is there a difference in quality?

Originally Posted by GiAnT4LYFE

Mine went over the summer. Dumped all the coolant in about 15 secs. Ended up costing me $1k to get it fixed at a dealership. They did a couple other things too.

Wow the elbows are like $10. What was the other $990 for?

I did some research. It sounds like the GM ones are the way to go as long as you smear some RTV on them when installing them. Ill probably tackle this project tomorrow. Thanks for the help.

Originally Posted by Fivefingerdeathpunch

Lubing them upon install can help them seat right.

If you werent clear on the other side of the cities from me, I'd help ya if you wanted it, but thats a far trip lol.

Get new ones and bleed the cooling system and you should be good.

Yeah that'd be quite the trip but I definitely appreciate the offer! Hopefully my second attempt replacing these will be my last

Originally Posted by Compg4me

Wow the elbows are like $10. What was the other $990 for?

I'll pull up the bill next week and let you know. I ended up getting a lot of **** replaced. I honestly can't remember only because the day I picked it up, I crashed into the back of this girl cause the dumbass in front of her brake checked her in a ****ing tunnel, Lehigh Valley Tunnel in PA on 476 to be exact.

Originally Posted by mikedinthecity

our supercharged cars blow the dorman ones apart. i reccommend ac delco coolant elbows, they are like 18 bucks for both. also b4 install i put indian head on them its for lube and it seals pretty quick.

Yeah I bet they do. I used the dorman ones again but its all they had at my local shop so I guess I'll take another chance with them and see what happens

I will have to replace mine again in the Spring. I have used the Dorman ones 2 times now and both times they have leaked. I think I will try some AC Delco brand this Spring.

Originally Posted by BillBoost37

LOL at all the Dorman dislike. All I use is Dorman elbows, work on at least 50 cars a year and I've only once had an issue. I'd call it install error.

Agreed

I don't know how I could have installed them wrong. Put a little lube on the o-ring and install them. I didn't put RTV on or around them, but I will be next time.