Hey guys!

Maybe someone can help me figure this out! My 2000 Monte SS is leaking coolant from the coolant reservoir area. Now here is the confusing part... The Engine temp started to go beyond the normal setting and the reservoir was looking way too full as in almost to the cap area! I was driving it around local area and it started doing this about 15 minutes after I started heading home after being parked for 30 minutes. The car has 206,000 miles and im starting to restore it and I know its got some issues that need handling but this on was a new one.

 

so assuming this is a 3.8 engine? if so there is a common leak known to happen from the coolant elbows, they are located inside of the idler pulley, if you have the stock coolant elbows then that could be the problem. i also know from experience that maybe if the water pump gasket was never changed there is a chance it has the crappy factory one that is basically made out of paper, when mines went it looked just like the picture you posted. hope that helps

 

Ditto what Owens said.... Those coolant elbows are a prime suspect. Good thing if mechanically inclined you can change em out in less than an hour. And they only cost like $10 for both of em at gm dealer

 

or get the aluminum elbows, wont happen again

 

If he says the overflow was almost full up to the cap area wouldn't that mean there's a blockage somewhere forcing the hot coolant back into the overflow & out of the cap?If it was leaky elbows the coolant would be low, right?

 

^Yes, but it's never a bad idea to check these coolant elbows.

Check the thermostat and radiator. A coolant flush is probably overdue... And the LIM gaskets too.

 

Thanks for the input! I was thinking blockage and it had a lovely issue I did not know was occurring in the thermostat area. My sister had my car for about 5 years and I thought she was keeping it well maintained but I was wrong. Apparently either she or the shop she had taken my car to get routine maintenance mixed the Dex-cool with regular coolant when the water pump was changed a few years ago. Checkout these pics!

 

Also, I ordered the aluminum elbows also! The rubber ones are leaking alittle bit.. Thanks again everyone for the help! This forum is a great help!

 

man the thermostat and housin is trashed, find anything else coolant related