'02 Grand Prix Coolant Leak, Need Help

[SeaHorseOfDoom]

Please forgive me, as I've only owned this car a couple of months and haven't had to do much engine work on it yet.

Yesterday, I noticed the car was overheating, almost to red, so I pulled over. Once the engine had cooled down, I added more coolant to the reservoir and radiator, figuring there was a slow leak somewhere. But when the radiator was almost full, I spotted the leak; not a slow leak, but a vicious blow hole that had just opened up.

On the Belt side of the engine, the leak is located JUST below the tensioner pulley. It is a hard-plastic tube which leads, at a 45 degree angle, from the piston chamber to God-Knows-What....

If anyone knows what this part is, or how to get to it, I will be greatly indebted. Thanks for your time.

[doctorhrdware]

You will need to remove the belt tensioner to replace the elbow. That is a weak point on the cars, and it is actually a common failure point.

[Airjer_]

You'll need a set of these. They come in a kit and cost about $5. You need to remove the tensioner assembly to replace both. Fairly easy job should take about an hour to replace and 20 minutes to burp the cooling system of air.

[doctorhrdware]

Originally Posted by Airjer_

You'll need a set of these. They come in a kit and cost about $5. You need to remove the tensioner assembly to replace both. Fairly easy job should take about an hour to replace and 20 minutes to burp the cooling system of air.

I knew that there was a picture of them here on the forums but could not find it fast enough. I also knew that someone would post the picture.

[tblake]

I would go with the GM OEM set in case you want to do it over next year. Just make sure when you take the tensioner off that you make sure and dig all the broken chunks of the old plastic elbow out.

To swap them you will need to take off the alternator, then the whole tensioner assembly is connected to the car by 3 15mm bolts.

[tblake]

Since this is such a common failure point on the 3800, you would think some company somewhere would make an updated metal design of these elbows.

GM part numbers for the eblows are:

Upper = 24503423
Lower = 12565082

Compliments of Richtazz!!

[rkvons]

Originally Posted by tblake

I would go with the GM OEM set in case you want to do it over next year.

I think you meant "unless" instead of "in case".

[SeaHorseOfDoom]

Thanks a lot everyone!