So I changed my elbows when I did the LIM about 2 years ago. I went with the Dorman replacements, but when I had it all back together coolant would seep out around the upper elbow (nothing major, but just enough to smell the burning coolant on the engine and see a little wetness, and have to add a touch of coolant every other week or so). I am kind of anal and that was not going to work for me, so I went ahead and paid about 5 times more and bough new elbows from the dealer. Put them in and same thing is happening---slight seepage from the upper elbow. Might be worth noting that the original elbows were not leaking, just changed them as a precaution while I was doing the LIM. I also managed to get them out without breaking them, but they are hard and brittle and figured new was the way to go.
Have I installed it wrong? I can't imagine 2 different sets of new ones being bad. I can push in on the upper elbow and feel it go in just ever so slightly. I am thinking that it is just not seated all the way into the manifold, but the tensioner bracket piece they mount in is tight. Might also be worth noting that when I had the LIM off I had it blasted and steamed at an engine shop, so it looks like brand new and there was no old crap in there that could be causing a leak.
Any ideas??? It is driving me nuts and I am going to tear back into it this weekend because my power steering has sprung a leak. Thinking I might replace the water pump while in there as well just so when it is all buttoned back up everything will be done, but I need some ideas on this crazy elbow seeping issue...
