Thread: Coolant Elbow Problem

I posted this on my local boards but figured I could use all the advise I can get on this one. Here goes.

Ever since I've had the car (about 2 1/2 months or so), the upper coolant has elbow leaked. It leaked around where it goes into the intake manifold. So, tonight I get frisky and tear it all apart and replace both elbows with brand new ones. Came apart and went together with absolutely no issues.

Get it all back together, fill it back up with antifreeze and start it up to start bleeding the system. After a couple minutes, what do you know, coolant starts dribbling out of the exact same place. Granted, it's not pouring out but just enough to notice it.

Is this something I'm just going to have to learn to live with? I see absolutely nothing I can do to tighten it up in any way, they are brand spanking new for crying out loud.

Nothing like working on the car for a couple hours and accomplishing absolutely nothing. Anyone got any ideas?

Could the intake be cracked/damaged? you got any pics

Unfortunately, I didn't take any pics. I looked the intake over really well when I had it apart. Didn't see anything and the hole was nice and smooth. Absolutely baffled. I'm hoping a few heat cycles and maybe the o-ring will swell up a bit.

I know its like impossible to do or shouldnt be possible, but you did use the right coolant elbow in the right place, right?

Is it possible there is some debris or something left over in the intake passage? I know when I replaced mine I had to clean out some left over o-ring material. Maybe a little oil or some type of lubricant around the o-ring or heck maybe a thin layer of RTV.

Originally Posted by SyntheticShield

I know its like impossible to do or shouldnt be possible, but you did use the right coolant elbow in the right place, right?

Is it possible there is some debris or something left over in the intake passage? I know when I replaced mine I had to clean out some left over o-ring material. Maybe a little oil or some type of lubricant around the o-ring or heck maybe a thin layer of RTV.

Yep,

correct elbow, check
cleaned the passage, check
lubed it (good old spit), check

RTV is the next step. I'll pull it back off when I'm in a better mood. Kinda want to heat cycle it a couple times to see if the o-ring will swell a bit. Who knows.

If you can, replace the good ole spit with vasoline, I prefer my energy suspension formula 5 prelube because it's water resistant and like glue. All you have to do is loosen the bracket to move it back enought to get the elbow out.

just rtv that **** in there and call it a day. it works well.

I have the same problem. Only mine isn't as bad. 15k miles or so ago, I had everything apart. Cleaned it all up well, new coolant elbows, grease on the o-rings, everything went fine. Now it leaks just ever so slightly. I have a new elbow, but I haven't taken the time to tear it apart. Soon I will. So if you find a better fix, post it up. I am curious.

I hope I dont have this issue when I re-install mine.

Are you guys using the GM elbows or the Help Section ones? I read on a Bonneville site, that if you use the Help section ones, don't use the elbows that say Made in China... I'm only passing information since the only ones Ive had to replace were on a friends Bonne. They were GM elbows and didn't leak.

Originally Posted by IndeedSS

Are you guys using the GM elbows or the Help Section ones? I read on a Bonneville site, that if you use the Help section ones, don't use the elbows that say Made in China... I'm only passing information since the only ones Ive had to replace were on a friends Bonne. They were GM elbows and didn't leak.

HELP! sections elbows here. Maybe I will try to pick up some GM ones.

Anyone have a PN for them?

Originally Posted by Zef_66

HELP! sections elbows here. Maybe I will try to pick up some GM ones.

Anyone have a PN for them?

24503423 Lower elbow

GM-CAR-PARTS.COM

24503423 - PIPE ASM- - 24503423

^^^Boooo

Were all on the right track I see. I replyed to your post on the local forum, and see many of the suggestions and questions are all the same. Guess we all know what to look for, and how to help fix it.

Yea for smart people~!

~F~

I have to share this here as well, I used the "help" ones, and I had no issues.

I used help section elbows as well but I did use motor oil to lube the O-ring.

Originally Posted by a_v_s

You guys are using spit to lube the o-rings? I use motor-oil.

I use spit before I stick anything into a hole.

You can use spit, motor oil, or some sil glyde, or white lith. grease even. You just want to lube the o-ring with something to keep it from tearing or rolling on you.

~F~