Thread: Leaking Coolant 2001 Grand Prix

2001 Grand Prix 3800
To give you some perspective of what you're looking at the coolant tank is on the left and the hose leaking (in red) is against the passenger side wall underneath the alternator which is on the bottom right of the picture. The hose has one of those plastic coverings over it. I have more pictures if this doesn't help. It runs from underneath the reservoir to somewhere into the fire wall.

What hose is this? I've tried searching for hours but to no avail. Its not a heater core hose as those are the 2 above it (correct me if im wrong). I dont want to spend $100 to fix a $10 part.
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Hmm, are you 100% certain. I just filled my coolant about 6 weeks ago and its low. When I drive it smells like antifreeze.

Are you sure that it's that hose, and not one of your coolant elbows?? Check again carefully. They are the plastic pieces right underneath the tensioner housing.

I just replaced the elbows a couple months ago. And I did check them again. When its light outside i will triple check them i guess. Its hard to see down that far but whatever is leaking is coming from or touching that hose. If you look to the bottom left of the area i circled you can see theres a wet spot on what looks like a large bendable hose with the ridges in it. That's whats getting dripped on

If no one else has any ideas I guess ill look again in the morning. To be honest I was confused because that hose isn't in any coolant diagram I looked at, so I didnt know if that was actually it. If its the ****in elbow ill punch my mechanic in the face. When they first cracked I knew what I had to replace but I didn't have the time or know how to remove everything. He replaced both of them and charged ~$150 because of labor. When I could have spent 4 hours and $10 in parts.

Side question: I want to sea foam my engine. Does the brake booster line feed all cylinders? And will that clean the throttle body or do I have to manually do that? Ill start another thread if no one answers.

Sorry for all the upcoming questions but I've never done this before:

Ok so if the bottom elbow is leaking whats the fastest/easiest way to get to it? From what I know u remove the reservoir, loosen the alternator then wiggle it off? The mechanic put some kind of blue sealant on the elbows. I want to do this quickly with minimal hassle. From your guys past experience will the elbows come right out, do i need to dissolve the sealant? Can I remove the bottom elbow without removing the top? Do I need to remove the belt? Are special tools needed for any of this besides a socket wrench.

Link a good step by step guide anywhere with pics?

http://www.grandprixforums.net/how-c...ows-49779.html

thats a very good step by step guide of how to change them including tools needed, what to remove, ect..

Well I looked again and I noticed the top elbow was leaking, couldn't really see the bottom. Maybe it was getting sprayed onto that hose and dripping down so it looked like it was leaking. Im going to replace them tomorrow or maybe just reseal it. Do I need to drain the whole system of coolant first, or can I remove the elbows with just a little bit leaking out? Also I know some people said RTV but whats the best way to ensure a sealed fit. The mechanic replaced the o rings and put sealant on it and it looked like he did a great job but it still leaked. Should I silicone the inside & outside of o-rings, will putting it on the ring disturb the tight seal its supposed to create?

you should NEVER drain any coolant onto the ground, thats just me though, and im an animal lover, and animals are attracted to the sweet smell. but, you shouldnt have to drain that much. mabye a gallon should be good i would think. and you want to make sure that you clean the hole out very well to ensure that any remnants of the old orings or rtv arent in there. im pretty sure that skimping on that is what causes most per-mature leaks. and rtv is always good to use on any part of the cooling system.