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-   -   6th Gen ('00-'05): Fluid leak but where...vid inlcuded (https://montecarloforum.com/forum/headers-intake-exhaust-13/fluid-leak-but-where-vid-inlcuded-43834/)

owens91 07-07-2013 12:01 PM

Fluid leak but where...vid inlcuded
 
i came outside to fix a flat tire that i got late last night, was also trying to check out ma suspension on that side. well i found what seems to be dexcool all over the place from time to time i have to put more in the radiator this may be why, but where is this leaking from? heres a vid



STUMPMI 07-07-2013 12:09 PM

If its power steering fluid it has a distinct smell to it...

However if its dexcool...It could be the coolant elbows....:eek:

they are on the passengerside of the car... and go in to the tensioner.

What motor is in your Monte Carlo? Also how many miles are on it?

owens91 07-07-2013 12:14 PM


Originally Posted by STUMPMI (Post 558091)
If its power steering fluid it has a distinct smell to it...

However if its dexcool...It could be the coolant elbows....:eek:

they are on the passengerside of the car... and go in to the tensioner.

What motor is in your Monte Carlo? Also how many miles are on it?

i wasnt sure if power steering fluid was that color or not, but one of my coolant elbows (the top one you could see from altenator) has orange susbstance not fluid on it. i have the 3.8 engine and just over 98200 miles

STUMPMI 07-07-2013 12:25 PM

Since these 3.8 motors are notorious for coolant elbow failures...via cracks,and crumbleing.... I would say that's definitely the issue!:thumbsup:

Dormans seem to be the elbow of choice...That you can get at your local auto parts...Its not recommended to get them from the dealer....Once the O-ring starts to fail ... The DexCool when it hasn't been serviced (Changed) on a regular schedule...it tends to turn to like an acid...as it breaks down...
General rule of thumb..is to flush/change your coolant every 2 years....:)

owens91 07-07-2013 12:41 PM


Originally Posted by STUMPMI (Post 558101)
Since these 3.8 motors are notorious for coolant elbow failures...via cracks,and crumbleing.... I would say that's definitely the issue!:thumbsup:

Dormans seem to be the elbow of choice...That you can get at your local auto parts...Its not recommended to get them from the dealer....Once the O-ring starts to fail ... The DexCool when it hasn't been serviced (Changed) on a regular schedule...it tends to turn to like an acid...as it breaks down...
General rule of thumb..is to flush/change your coolant every 2 years....:)

yup i was gonna look for the aluminum ones...also i want to flush it and replace with the green coolant

The_Maniac 07-07-2013 04:13 PM

Fix, the "orange" substance you might be seeing on the coolant elbow, could be the old Dex (drying up) or the O-rings are commonly orange, it could be an O-ring pushing out.

Start with changing the elbows.

David, it's actually the plastic Dorman elbows that have caused problems (they had a bad run with O-rings too thin, allowing the elbow to push out). I fell pray to that problem (pre-dating the aluminum elbows Dorman now makes). Mine were changed when i did all my upper engine mods one spring, parked the car for the winter, first drive the following spring and she dumped her coolant out due to an elbow pushing out. I read this was common from Dorman elbows. I replaced the $5 pair with $30 genuine GM. Yes, the GM elbows are cased differently and so far working perfectly. I have yet to hear the issues about the aluminum elbows (those seem to be perfect).

As for changing Dex to green stuff, it really does not matter. Dex, like the green stuff, properly maintained and flushed once in a while is of no greater or less harm then the green stuff. All depends how much work you want to put into the flush.

But I would replace the coolant elbows first, that is clearly Dex and you are in the area of the elbows (quick and cheap fix).

owens91 07-07-2013 05:12 PM


Originally Posted by The_Maniac (Post 558132)
Fix, the "orange" substance you might be seeing on the coolant elbow, could be the old Dex (drying up) or the O-rings are commonly orange, it could be an O-ring pushing out.

Start with changing the elbows.

David, it's actually the plastic Dorman elbows that have caused problems (they had a bad run with O-rings too thin, allowing the elbow to push out). I fell pray to that problem (pre-dating the aluminum elbows Dorman now makes). Mine were changed when i did all my upper engine mods one spring, parked the car for the winter, first drive the following spring and she dumped her coolant out due to an elbow pushing out. I read this was common from Dorman elbows. I replaced the $5 pair with $30 genuine GM. Yes, the GM elbows are cased differently and so far working perfectly. I have yet to hear the issues about the aluminum elbows (those seem to be perfect).

As for changing Dex to green stuff, it really does not matter. Dex, like the green stuff, properly maintained and flushed once in a while is of no greater or less harm then the green stuff. All depends how much work you want to put into the flush.

But I would replace the coolant elbows first, that is clearly Dex and you are in the area of the elbows (quick and cheap fix).


Great insite..I heard there are 2. I might be able to reach the top one without movin stuff but where is the second one? I also heard this is easy...if I can do I wheel hub I'm sure I can tackle this as well....I suspected this could he an issue as well. My research begins :)

STUMPMI 07-07-2013 05:39 PM

Heres a video that may help you out...

Its not a MonteCarlo....But it is a 3.8 ...3800 its basically the same process to change the elbows!:thumbsup:

Link::wave&point:
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...48705608,d.aWc


Thanks Jason for the Clarification!:thumbsup:

zjerry 07-07-2013 06:01 PM


Originally Posted by STUMPMI (Post 558147)
Heres a video that may help you out...

Its not a MonteCarlo....But it is a 3.8 ...3800 its basically the same process to change the elbows!:thumbsup:

Link::wave&point:
How to Fix Coolant Leak Belt Tensioner GM 3.8L 3800


Thanks Jason for the Clarification!:thumbsup:

Hey, David Your LINK isn't working..:(

owens91 07-07-2013 06:04 PM

very good video i must say thank goodness we have the internet for things


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