Coolant Leak

[Thenerveman]

-- Update--

Replaced the water pump (only cause i didnt trust it) and replaced the elbow. Seems to be fine now. The elbow was COMPLETELY rotted away and it was obvious this was the cause of the leak.

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Hi,

I've been experiencing a coolant leak recently. I put a whole container of dexcool in it and it was all gone after driving about 80 miles. I looked around but I really cannot find any leaks on the ground or anything, but this stuff must be just draining somewhere I cant see. I read some other forums and I was wondering if it is the water pump, the elbows, or the LIM gasket. I see wetness around the water pump but I really don't see anything that can justify 2 gallons gone. I really can't find much wetness.
Other info

- There is a strong smell of burning dexcool when I drive
- Pump is making noises (at least i think it is the pump)
- Car is getting hot
- Smoke comes out from underneath the alternator when I stop after a drive

thanks for reading

[BillBoost37]

Ok, so it sounds like you have all the classic symptoms of either a water pump or elbow. It's time for you to look further into where you are seeing the smoke.

[Thenerveman]

Okay you think it is the elbow (thats what i assumed it was) even though a lot of water is leaking and i really cannot see it leaking anywhere when i leave it at idle. And i see a little wetness around the area? prolly just evaporating i guess.

[BillBoost37]

Here's what I know.. where you see that smoke and smell coolant.. that's likely were the leak is. I can't tell you from here if it's a water pump or elbow. What I'm saying is.. you need to take a look.

[Thenerveman]

Here's what I know.. where you see that smoke and smell coolant.. that's likely were the leak is. I can't tell you from here if it's a water pump or elbow. What I'm saying is.. you need to take a look.

I mean i looked at it when i got back from work yesterday, its damp but not like soaked as if a gallon of water just leaked out. It was a dry day. I will take it apart tonight, I hope that it is obvious whether its coming from the pump or elbow when i take off the belt and alt. I hope i dont have to take off the nose cone though for the supercharger.

The car does have 224k miles and neither items have been changed in the past.

[dsmuts]

Would help if we knew what you were driving.

[Thenerveman]

Would help if we knew what you were driving.

Sorry, it is a 98 grand prix gtp s/c

[BillBoost37]

You won't have to pull the charger or nose.

With the engine off, feel the inside of the water pump pulley..is it wet?

[Thenerveman]

ill check it when i get off of work. Ill check it as soon as i can. if its wet does that mean the pump is bad?

[BillBoost37]

Very likely..

[dsmuts]

yep. Might as well change the elbows at the same time so everything is good for sure.

[Thenerveman]

that is basically the conclusion i came too (just replacing both). Now i know that the power steering pump needs to be moved a little. You guys ever heard of any trouble with breaking it free to move the pulley out of the way to get to the bolts on the water pump? I've never budged the thing before.

[BillBoost37]

The ps pump is cake. Use a deep 13mm socket, and go through the pulley holes, the two bolts are at 12 and 6 on the clock. Lower it gently as the oil pressure sensor is right below it.

[Thenerveman]

Okay thanks for the info. Ill let you guys know how it goes.

[Scottydoggs]

while your there, grab the water pump pulley with both hands, push one sode, pull the other, then the other way, if the pulley moves, the pumps is also bad. and they do leak when bad from the weep hole.

[Nchristopherson]

From personal experience, a bad water pump caused my car to go through a gallon of coolant (started replacing it with water because it was summer and it would go so fast), your symptoms sound awful similar to mine. Changed the water pump and havent had problems since. Another thing you could do is lightly pressure wash (lol oxymoron) your engine bay and watch where new wet spots appear.

[BillBoost37]

If you'd like a write up the elbows which gets you 90% to the water pump, look up my name and "eas y" without the space. Coolant elbows are one of the write up's

[JaredR215]

Take a look at the underside of your hood. You should be able to see if coolant has been flung from your belts. When my water pump went bad I could also feel the back of the crank was wet. But definitely sounds like a water pump or coolant elbows. Both are easy fixes. Maybe an hour or two tops.

[Thenerveman]

"Take a look at the underside of your hood. You should be able to see if coolant has been flung from your belts. When my water pump went bad I could also feel the back of the crank was wet. But definitely sounds like a water pump or coolant elbows. Both are easy fixes. Maybe an hour or two tops."

Ha took me 4.5 hrs to do both of those together from start to finish

[Thenerveman]

Okay guys, I ended up Replacing the water pump and the elbow. The water pump looked good but i was like screw it I have it all apart So i put a new one on it. Then I replaced the elbow. When i took out the original elbow it was completely broken off inside of the engine and the heating assembly. Drove it to work today no problem so now i just gotta wait and see if it leaks. (it was raining today so i couldnt tell when i left for work) ill find out tonight. I have to put some dexcool in it soon to replace the water next thursday. Any tips on taking out the petcock cap without breaking it? I want to flush the radiator.

thanks