Thread: Bad coolant elbow

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  1. #1 Bad coolant elbow 
    SE Level Member Shoggy24's Avatar
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    Last week for a couple of hours my car temperature spiked up. i was able to refill the coolant and it went back to normal temperature for over 3 days when i took it in for oil change and had the guys take a look at why my car over-heated.
    I was told i have a bad coolant elbow and the total cost plus labor is about $600.
    is it really that hard to replace this cheap component.
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  2. #2 Re: Bad coolant elbow 
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    remove belt.

    drain coolant.

    remove alt.

    remove belt tensioner.

    install new elbows from the help section at your parts store. put some saliva/coolant on the o rings, insert in belt tensioner.

    install belt tensioner.

    install alternator.

    install belt.

    fill coolant.

    bleed cooling system.

    Two hours or so and $20 in parts. Depends on skill level.
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  3. #3 Re: Bad coolant elbow 
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    Whoever told you it would be $600 is trying to rip you off. I wouldn't ever take my car back there again.
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  4. #4 Re: Bad coolant elbow 
    SE Level Member Shoggy24's Avatar
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    Thanks for the tips guy. The guy was saying something about how it will take 6hours to replace because they have to remove intake manifold or something like that.

    I though it was pretty weird because i was looking right at the elbow. I am definitely going to call other shops.
    I have kinda suspected this shop is full of it.
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  5. #5 Re: Bad coolant elbow 
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    lol no.... and an intake manifold job can actually cost you more than that.

    It calls for quite a few hours of labour.
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  6. #6 Re: Bad coolant elbow 
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    If they were basing their pricing on removal of the LIM, then that actually is a pretty good price.

    But they should know better, you don't need to remove the LIM to do these elbows.
    For all your 3800 needs:
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  7. #7 Re: Bad coolant elbow 
    Turbo is the way to go. BillBoost37's Avatar
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    Agreed with the guys. Coolant elbows is Dorman #47065 and is usually about $4. A little lube on the o-rings is free and you got 4-5 13/15mm bolts based on what year your car is.

    Takes me about 30 min. Say it'll take you an hour. FWIW it only takes two hours if you live in Canada. Things take longer when you are close to the north pole.
    I drink..so consider that when reading my posts.

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  8. #8 Re: Bad coolant elbow 
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    Trying to give a high estimate considering most people dont have a high skill level and when unfamiliar with the motor they go slower.
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  9. #9 Re: Bad coolant elbow 
    Donating Users 98GTPstat's Avatar
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    LOL sorry to hear all that but i just replaced mine in under 20 min and it cost me $25..... coolant elbo u can pick up at ur local auto parts store..advanced auto auto zone ect... the part is 3.95 and add price of your coolant and POW fixed



    disconnect battery
    dont have to remove belt completly off the car just take it off the alt pully
    i leave alternater plugger in but just unbolt it and move aside
    drain coolant if it hasent leaked out all the way
    3 bolts hold in alternater braket and if you removed alternater then there is 2 left to remove
    one should be under the heater hoses and the other under the tensioner pully
    wiggle bracket free, make sure you remove ALL of the old coolant elbo ... peices tend to get stuck in the lim and alt bracket
    install new one and put it all back together
    becarefull though... the bolt for the alternater that goes into the alt bracket is a diferent length then the ones for the alt brack it self
    Last edited by 98GTPstat; 07-13-2011 at 07:19 AM. Reason: small write up
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  10. #10 Re: Bad coolant elbow 
    SE Level Member Shoggy24's Avatar
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    ^^^^^^^^^
    Man, i wish i you had posted earlier, could have saved me $160 . What i finally paid was a lot cheaper than the initial quote; thanks to the fellas.
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  11. #11 Re: Bad coolant elbow 
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    Can I get that elbow at someplace like Autozone or Advance commonly or is it just a matter of replacing the o-rings? Does anyone have a part number?
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  12. #12 Re: Bad coolant elbow 
    Killa Bee Scottydoggs's Avatar
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    the answer is right above you lol

    Quote Originally Posted by makenzie71 View Post
    Can I get that elbow at someplace like Autozone or Advance commonly or is it just a matter of replacing the o-rings? Does anyone have a part number?
    Quote Originally Posted by BillBoost37 View Post
    Agreed with the guys. Coolant elbows is Dorman #47065 and is usually about $4. A little lube on the o-rings is free and you got 4-5 13/15mm bolts based on what year your car is.

    Takes me about 30 min. Say it'll take you an hour. FWIW it only takes two hours if you live in Canada. Things take longer when you are close to the north pole.

    98 Buick Regal GS, F body brakes, Caddy STS wheels, tinted tails L36 bottom end, lightly ported heads, 1.95 roller rockers, headers, gen 5 N* 3.0 pulley, FSIC, 42 lb injectors, a BrandonHall rebuilt trans, DHP tuned and AEM water/Meth injection https://goo.gl/gpV5kW
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  13. #13 Re: Bad coolant elbow 
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    oops...I missed it! Thanks again! I got a new one now...just need to find me a bit of time to get it done.

    Is this really so common an issue that the elbows need to be hung up next to things like oil filters and windshield wipers at the store?
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  14. #14 Re: Bad coolant elbow 
    GXP Level Member txslow6's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by makenzie71 View Post
    oops...I missed it! Thanks again! I got a new one now...just need to find me a bit of time to get it done.

    Is this really so common an issue that the elbows need to be hung up next to things like oil filters and windshield wipers at the store?
    At Oreilys it's in the help section.
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  15. #15 Re: Bad coolant elbow 
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    Just to make sure, the procedure is the same for n/a and s/c engines? I'll be doing this in a parking lot so any tips, tricks or variations specific to the L32 in an 05 would be greatly appreciated.

    I just had these things replaced by a shop less than a year ago when the upper one split open. This time it exploded and the entire half going into the bracket is completely missing. It doesn't seem normal that it would fail again so quickly.
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  16. #16 Re: Bad coolant elbow 
    Turbo is the way to go. BillBoost37's Avatar
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    Yes..the procedure is the same.

    Here's a picture of the alternator bracket, so you can see where the bolts are located. There is one that is hidden from sight. Ignore the writing...it was for some other reason.


    I pull the alternator
    Pull the bracket
    Use vasoline or oil to lube the o-rings
    Ensure the holes are clean
    When bolting the bracket back on..I keep wiggling the upper elbow as I tighten it. The elbow should still wiggle a little when the bracket is tight. If not..it's got pressure on it and could deform and leak rather quickly after.
    I drink..so consider that when reading my posts.

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  17. #17 Re: Bad coolant elbow 
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    Sorry to bring such an old thread up but i have just come across this problem. All my coolant was on the ground last night and took it to monro brake and muffler. I saw when i opeend up the hood that there a split on a black plastic piece which i figured is the coolant elbow that this thread is talking about. Got the quote today and the guy says its $1002. He said they have to take the upper and lower intake (gaskets $200 each, 5 hour job at $100/hr) off to get to the $13 elbow. Im not buying into their crap. I then told him that i didnt think that you had to mess with the intake and he insisted that the elbow "went into the engine" and that it was necassary. I need to know from you guys what you think and I can have someone down the street do it for cheap or do it myself.
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  18. #18 Re: Bad coolant elbow 
    Killa Bee Scottydoggs's Avatar
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    dont buy into their crap, my god, theives!!!!!

    the elbows cost 6 bucks too. and can be done in 30 minutes or less. http://www.grandprixforums.net/how-c...ows-49779.html

    i hate shops so much its sickening.

    98 Buick Regal GS, F body brakes, Caddy STS wheels, tinted tails L36 bottom end, lightly ported heads, 1.95 roller rockers, headers, gen 5 N* 3.0 pulley, FSIC, 42 lb injectors, a BrandonHall rebuilt trans, DHP tuned and AEM water/Meth injection https://goo.gl/gpV5kW
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  19. #19 Re: Bad coolant elbow 
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    Quote Originally Posted by Scottydoggs View Post
    dont buy into their crap, my god, theives!!!!!

    the elbows cost 6 bucks too. and can be done in 30 minutes or less. http://www.grandprixforums.net/how-c...ows-49779.html

    i hate shops so much its sickening.
    Thanks for the response. I was thinking the same thing. Im going to just go pick my car up from them. I asked the guy if he could email a quote and he then said "we dont have internet...so no" I think he knew i was on to them.
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  20. #20 Re: Bad coolant elbow 
    Killa Bee Scottydoggs's Avatar
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    get your car, then tell them they suck, and thanks for trying to rip me off!!!

    how does one charge a grand to change elbows? lol

    if you wanted to do your lim gasket, you can do that yourself as well for about a 100 in parts. its not as hard as you may think. did mine in 3 hours.

    98 Buick Regal GS, F body brakes, Caddy STS wheels, tinted tails L36 bottom end, lightly ported heads, 1.95 roller rockers, headers, gen 5 N* 3.0 pulley, FSIC, 42 lb injectors, a BrandonHall rebuilt trans, DHP tuned and AEM water/Meth injection https://goo.gl/gpV5kW
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