99 Alero Leaking Anti-Freeze

[conrodme]

My 99 Alero is leaking anti-freeze not near the rad on the passenger side over from the coolant tank. I think it may be the water pump but not sure. How could I tell if it is the water pump as I'm not sure what it looks. It seems to leak more when the car is running and for a time after it's off. There is still some anti-freeze in the coolant tank so I did have to add some water. Thanks, Shane

[rnj]

you need to add dextron to your cooling sys. They sell it in a 50/50 bottle already mixed. not adding the correct mixture, can cause problems. If you are asking where the water pump it located, it is the top right pulley. If your looking from the pass. side fender. Is the under side of the hood wet over the belt? if so, then it is most likely your pump. It will leak, on the pulley and slings it around causing the hood to get wet. At least that is what happened to mine when the water pump went out.

[conrodme]

We have added the correct dextron coolant according to directions and the hood is not wet....so I'm not sure what the problem is but there is a leak that makes a little puddle. Do you have any other suggestions?

Thank you.

[jr6078]

Sounds like the notorious Lower Intake Manifold gasket if this is a 3.4L V6.

If it is the V6, use a flashlight to look behind and below the power steering pump which is located at the top pulley in the middle. If you see anti-freeze back in that area, it's likely to be the lower intake manifold gasket that's leaking. The early 3.4 V6's had this problem before a revised gasket was introduced to correct the problem.

The other things to look for on that side of the engine are leaks from any of the coolant hoses going to or from the radiator to the engine or the bottle and be sure to check for signs of a leak from the bottle cap and overflow attached to the bottle neck. Again, assuming it's a V6. Don't know about the 4 cyl.

[rnj]

I had the bad gaskets in our car. But it did not leak outside the car, only our water pump did. When our gaskets were leaking, it was leaking inside the engine. I kept finding some milky sludge under the oil filler cap. Good luck.

[jr6078]

I also had leaking gaskets recently, but mine leaked externally at the back end of the engine below the thermostat housing.

[TO90Alero]

Originally Posted by jr6078

Sounds like the notorious Lower Intake Manifold gasket if this is a 3.4L V6.

If it is the V6, use a flashlight to look behind and below the power steering pump which is located at the top pulley in the middle. If you see anti-freeze back in that area, it's likely to be the lower intake manifold gasket that's leaking. The early 3.4 V6's had this problem before a revised gasket was introduced to correct the problem.

The other things to look for on that side of the engine are leaks from any of the coolant hoses going to or from the radiator to the engine or the bottle and be sure to check for signs of a leak from the bottle cap and overflow attached to the bottle neck. Again, assuming it's a V6. Don't know about the 4 cyl.

Just a note here, almost all the v-6 family has had intake gasket issues. I have helped swap out ones on the 3.1's, 3.4's, and 3.8's. My friend works for GM and helps me with my car for free so I help him out with these. It's become a real after hours moneymaker for him. One night 3 of us did 3 seperate cars all beside each other. There is always at least one car in every day with this issue in the shop. The dealer usaully charges $1200.00 for this - look for smaller shops doing it for around $700.00 for you. Otherwise these engines are all really decent.