Fluid leak

[boarder003]

2006 Grand Prix GT SC


Hey guys,
This is my first post on this new forum, I used to have an 2003 Ford Focus SVT and was involved on forums concerning Fords but now I have moved on to 'better things' hahah

Well I am having a problem leaking radiator fluid, It is leaking pretty quickly and I havent figured out where from. I thought that I had it narrowed down to the weap valve on the water pump and it appears after replacing the pump that I must have been wrong. I replaced the pump on Easter with a brand new pump. The process wasnt too difficult just a few bolts in difficult positions *behind the power steering pulley!* but apparently I was wrong.
I just arrived at campus after replacing it on the 8th with no leaks yesterday or the day before, but now there is. I havent had time to look under the hood but once I got out I could smell the burning radiator fluid and glanced under the car to see a growing puddle.
I was posting hoping that someone might be able to point me in the correct direction of any notorious problems that the GP might have with leaking fluid.


Thanks Guys!

[BillBoost37]

Coolant elbow is one
Water pump...if you didn't get the gasket cleaned well is another.
Radiator
Radiator hose...

[boarder003]

It appears to be coming from the immediate area from the water pump but i cleaned the gasket off very well and used a gasket sealer on both sides of the pump before installing. which elbow are you talking about?

[BillBoost37]

The one right above the water pump. Black in color.

[boarder003]

Well when I tore it down there wasnt fluid coming from that elbow or any signs of fluid before I tore it down. Do you know what the torque specs are on the 2 size bolts on the water pump?

[BillBoost37]

IIRc the 10mm are 8ft lbs and the 13mm are 13ft lbs.

BTW, you can lower the ps pump off the motor via the two bolts and have full access to the water pump.

[boarder003]

BTW, you can lower the ps pump off the motor via the two bolts and have full access to the water pump.

Thats what I did end up doing. I was initially going to remove the pulley but found out removing the pump would be a much more realistic option.

[boarder003]

So I just got out of class and filled up my radiator and was driving home. It quickly heated up almost to danger zone and I turned the heat on, it dropped in between the half way hash and hot hash but than it started not blowing hot air anymore.
Does this sound like a bad thermostat and a bad seal?

[dsmuts]

Sounds like you were low on coolant and developed an air bubble.

[boarder003]

I would agree, but would that make it spew fluid out?
On my way home from my last class, the air blew hot and it actually operated below usual temp. So i dont really know, i just keep thinking bad thermo and gasket since it was spewing out.
It is still leaking though.

[dsmuts]

If it was spewing out on the passenger side i'd say coolant elbows if the drivers side id say possibly thermostat gasket or tb gasket.

[BillBoost37]

Look for the leak
Fix the leak
Burp the system

I'd suggest doing these before you overheat the motor. Because air doesn't read on the temp sensor the same as water.

[Scottydoggs]

the black elbow is at the top of this pic above the water pump. make sure its not leaking.



you can also rent a pressure tester, it caps on the radiator and you pump pressure into the rad, and if it loses pressure you have a leak, by pressurizing the system this should make the leak , well leak as well.

or top off the coolant bleed the air out, let it idle till it gets hot and watch for it to start leaking. make sure its all dry before though, its easier to find leaks when the engines dry. so if its all greasy and grimy, get some de greaser and have a clean up party first.

[boarder003]

I just picked up the pressure tester and a thermostat.
Hopefully i will find the problem
anyone got any ideas, just shoot!
thanks

[boarder003]

the thermostat is in the inlet hose isnt it?

[BillBoost37]

Coolant flows from the lower radiator hose into teh motor, is pumped up and around then out the thermostat and through the top radiator hose.

[boarder003]

i just put the pressure tester on and it appears to be coming from just above the ac compressor. water pump seal possibly? any other poss on that side. not coolant elbow. that is good.

[Scottydoggs]

lower rad hose, wiggle it while under pressure, see if it leaks more when you F with it.

[BillBoost37]

Lower rad hose to the timing cover usually has corrosion built up and may leak there.
One of the SC idler pedestal bolts goes into the water jacket and can leak (lowest one, aka the one you can not see)
There are a couple timing cover bolts (all except the crank sensor that go into the water jacket.
And...lastly ..the timing cover gasket may be leaking. It's uncommon though.

[boarder003]

Thats where it appears to be coming from. There is a small seperation between that mount for that pulley and the block. I dont know what that would be.
I have more pictures. Just having a hard time posting these pictures