belt tensioner coolant elbow leak

[ka9mgd]

I have a 96 Buick Park avenue with the 3800 vin k engine. I installed a new coolant elbow that goes from the tensioner to the manifold with no sealer. This installation also included a new manifold. 6 months later it is leaking coolant around the elbow seal in the manifold side. Can I take it apart again and use a sealer on the o-ring or will it cause other issues if I ever need to remove it the future such as clogging the manifold passage?

[Stealthee]

You shouldn't need any kind of sealer. Just a little oring lube or even just coolant on the oring. The biggest thing is verifying all the old pieces of the elbow is out of the hole and it's clean.

[ka9mgd]

It is an aluminum elbow with new o-ring and it was originally installed just using coolant on the o-ring.The manifold port was also cleaned up with emery cloth prior to installation of the elbow.I guess I will have to use silicone sealant to stop it from leaking unless someone else has a better idea.
Thanks

[ka9mgd]

I also tested the radiator cap. It tested at 16 lbs. I do not think the system pressure was to high to cause an o-ring leak. No other issues suggesting head gasket or block issue causing exhaust gases in the coolant. That engine only has 20000 miles on it since it was replaced.

[ka9mgd]

I was also wandering if the upper manifold plenum gasket had failed,would that create high pressures in the coolant system causing an o-ring leak? I do not see any other coolant system leaks other than the the tensioner elbow leak. I also de not see any coolant leaking under the upper or lower manifolds. The engine has never overheated since it was new.