6th Gen ('00-'05): Fluid leak but where...vid inlcuded
#1
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
#2
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....
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?
However if its dexcool...It could be the coolant elbows....
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?
#3
07-07-2013, 12:14 PM
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
#4
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!
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....
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....
#5
07-07-2013, 12:41 PM
Since these 3.8 motors are notorious for coolant elbow failures...via cracks,and crumbleing.... I would say that's definitely the issue!
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....
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....
#6
07-07-2013, 04:13 PM
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Mentor, Ohio
Posts: 12,198
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).
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).
#7
07-07-2013, 05:12 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).
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
#8
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!
Link:
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...48705608,d.aWc
Thanks Jason for the Clarification!
Its not a MonteCarlo....But it is a 3.8 ...3800 its basically the same process to change the elbows!
Link:
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...48705608,d.aWc
Thanks Jason for the Clarification!
Last edited by STUMPMI; 07-08-2013 at 09:19 AM.
#9
07-07-2013, 06:01 PM
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: St.Louis , MO.
Posts: 7,523
Last edited by STUMPMI; 07-08-2013 at 09:19 AM.