2000 3.4L w/110,000 Miles, coolant leaks?

[c.r.s.]

The Intake gaskets were replaced via the stealership around 2 years ago.

What I've looked at so far:

1. Oil Dip stick: Oil looks fine, doesn't have a chocolate color or an antifreeze odor to it.

The following was found while the engine was running.
2. Filled the coolant reservior: No leaks at the reservior but the level does drop while the engine is running.
3. Water Pump: No leaks at the gasket or the hose.
4. Water Leaks: Rear head @ the Pulley End.
(did not pull the 3400 SFI cover for further inspection)
Water dripping out of the exhaust tail pipe
5. when the engine is 1st started:
Idles a little ruff then after 3 minutes idles fine.
6. Oil Dip Stick: After the engine has idled for about 10 minutes there is no
change in the oil condition.
7. Had to fill up the coolant reservior a few times during these 10 minutes.
8. The water leaks are more evident at the Rear Head @ the Pulley End.

Is the EGR located at the Rear Head @ the Pulley End? Would a bad EGR cause these problems?
So am I looking at pulling the engine?:cry:

I haven't purchased a hayne's service manual yet, are they available for download from aleromod.com?

Thanks for your help,

[Nate's Alero]

water meaning antifreeze?

[[ion] C2]

8. The water leaks are more evident at the Rear Head @ the Pulley End.
So you're leaking... water? H2O? Or coolant.

[Kilroy]

Check the lower rad hose on the left side of the radiator (left as in when you are standing in front of it) I had the same mysterious problem, and what it was on mine was that the lower rad hose was getting so close to the airconditioning pulley that the pulley rubbed up against it, and wore thru just enough so that it leaked coolant, but only under pressure. Worth a look at least.

[c.r.s.]

All the Coolant (Antifreeze) leaked out and I switched over to water during the leak testing.

[Nate's Alero]

All the Coolant (Antifreeze) leaked out and I switched over to water during the leak testing.

no oil level difference? time frame for leaking all of the coolant out of the surge tank?

[c.r.s.]

no oil level difference? time frame for leaking all of the coolant out of the surge tank?

Oil Level - No differance
Surge Tank Leak Down Time - 3 > 4 Minutes

[Nate's Alero]

Oil Level - No differance
Surge Tank Leak Down Time - 3 > 4 Minutes

uuuuuuh....... is it appearing on the ground?

[c.r.s.]

uuuuuuh....... is it appearing on the ground?

Dripping to the ground underneath the block.

[Beholder88]

Head Gasket?

[Nate's Alero]

Dripping to the ground underneath the block.

could be running from a leaky hose..... check all around the engine, there are hoses everywhere, get some pics for us too

[-Alero-]

running a high mixture of water isnt exactly the best solution.

head gasket is a possibility, mine supposedly leaked coolant at my headgasket (said the dealer that changed the gaskets)

there are a few tests you can have done, i dont know thier exact name, i remember mida's offering a test for coolant leaks, using a type of fluid.

[99alerogirl]

if it's toward the drivers side, my plastic coupler that was holding a hose together shattered, and was causing my coolant to leak onto my engine (causing lots of smoke). just took out the old plastic and replaced it with a hose clamp. so i would check the hoses and where they're connected with those lousy plastic connectors.

[Redog]

Sounds more like a hose that a gasket to me. I've never seen a gasket leak drain coolant in 4 mintues :eek:

[fielder87]

^^good point reddog,and pulling your engine aint gonna help you see the leak anybetter(engine not running). just get a good light and take your time,all you can do unless you want topay a mechanic.

[-Alero-]

Sounds more like a hose that a gasket to me. I've never seen a gasket leak drain coolant in 4 mintues :eek:
then again he did fill it up with water : /

[fielder87]

lol true. do a compression check.

[cherrington17]

you CAN cool your car with water... only fear is it getting to cold and freezing. car can run water all year, in the south... no big fear about it. its only meant to heat then cool.

[fielder87]

yes but he is running engine while looking for leak,which means water is evaporating mabey,not draining as quick as he thinks

[c.r.s.]

Came home from work @ 6:00PM Filled the Coolant reservior (w/water) and started the engine to look for leaks again (I'm blind as a bat) the water was coming out of the coolant reservior over flow hose and spraying onto the tensioner and crankshaft pulley's with in 1 minute of run time.
There must be blockage in the coolant pathways in the engine.
The engine idled roughly for about 3 minutes then it was running smooth.

Water was dripping out of the tailpipe within 4 minutes.

Turned the engine off (let it cool for a bit) started looking for leaks on the rear head at the head & intake gaskets no leaks. Ran my hand over these areas, everything was dry.
Looks like its time to remove the intake for further inspection, ARRRRG !!
Sounds like I'm on the way to a Valve Job, Head Gaskets, Intake Gaskets.
Let the fun begin, :yahoo:

Thanks for your help,

[WhiteV6]

Head gasket is blown and the pressure is building up in the cooling system from the combustion process.

[c.r.s.]

Head gasket is blown and the pressure is building up in the cooling system from the combustion process.

Here we go!!

[A57]

Came home from work @ 6:00PM Filled the Coolant reservior (w/water) and started the engine to look for leaks again (I'm blind as a bat) the water was coming out of the coolant reservior over flow hose and spraying onto the tensioner and crankshaft pulley's with in 1 minute of run time.
There must be blockage in the coolant pathways in the engine.
The engine idled roughly for about 3 minutes then it was running smooth.

Water was dripping out of the tailpipe within 4 minutes.

Turned the engine off (let it cool for a bit) started looking for leaks on the rear head at the head & intake gaskets no leaks. Ran my hand over these areas, everything was dry.
Looks like its time to remove the intake for further inspection, ARRRRG !!
Sounds like I'm on the way to a Valve Job, Head Gaskets, Intake Gaskets.
Let the fun begin, :yahoo:

Thanks for your help,


Good luck and get the new lower intake gaskets from fel-pro...i installed them onto a 3400 and they worked great..

[Nate's Alero]

Good luck and get the new lower intake gaskets from fel-pro...i installed them onto a 3400 and they worked great..

same, gaskets are great