Coolant elbow not sealing - 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix
Asked by stacia99 Apr 18, 2016 at 12:31 PM about the 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix 4 Dr SE Sedan
Question type: Maintenance & Repair
My husband and I just replaced the upper and lower manifold gaskets in our 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix to fix a coolant leak, and it seems to have worked. However we also replaced the coolant elbow by the alternator while we were in there but it won't seal. There's tons of coolant coming out around the seal where the elbow goes into the manifold. Could the part be bad? Could it just not have been installed quite right? Visually it looks good and it all fit together fine so we're a little baffled here.
7 Answers
That motor a 3800 3.8? Are you talking about the plastic elbow that goes from the intake to the tensioner? Did you Make sure that you put the orings on both sides of the elbow. If not that's why it's leaking!
Yeah it's a 3800 3.8L, and that's the elbow I'm talking about. The o-rings were on both sides of the elbow, I wonder if maybe they're not sealing? They looked fine visually when we installed but since the coolant is leaking around the outside of the elbow it seems like the o-rings are the issue. Would putting some RTV on the o-rings be a good idea?
Just like Tom said, if those o rings are not seatin right it will cause it to leake. Put some coolant on both o rings an that will work.
Never use RTV on O'rings. Coolant, oil or grease will work.
Well we discovered one of the new o-rings basically broke in two already so we replaced the part, got it in there, no leaks at all -- but now the engine is overheating! Hoping it's a thermostat issue or maybe air in the line we didn't get out just yet.
