Thread: Help with coolant leak

I just purchased a 1997 Grand Prix Se with 145000 miles on it.When we brought it home the other day the radiator was full.This evening went and looked under the car and there was nothing on the ground.Started it for about 5 minutes and then after I shut it off there was a puddle about 5 inches around.I cannot find anywhere it could be leaking from because it seems to far back to be from the radiator.The fella I got it from said he thoguht it was a water pump and replaced it before I got ithe car.It is currently at the shop being looked at but I thought you guys may have an idea or 2.I am just hopeing that its not anything major the car runs great .Any help would be greatly appreciated.Thanks...Dont know if this matters but the car does NOT smoke at all.

well. when he replaced the water pump, he could have not tightened down a new hose clamp? properly torqued the bolts? broke a coolant elbow?

could be a few things.....

Or he could have not put thread sealant on the bolts when he installed the water pump. Could be a bunch of possibilities.

I didnt put thread sealant on my bolts when I installed a new water pump. Not that I recall anyway.

Originally Posted by SyntheticShield

I didnt put thread sealant on my bolts when I installed a new water pump. Not that I recall anyway.

The bolts go directly into the coolant passages. Sometimes you can do them without sealant and they won't leak. Sometimes you can do them with sealant and the will leak. In my opinion, it is a bad design to have bolts go directly into a coolant passage. But what do I know.

I would agree with you on that. I guess before I put the engine back in the car I'll seal them up just for good measure.