small motor noise/ coolant issue

[bungea]

2001 chevy impala 140,000 3.4 engine

hearing a small motor noise for like an electrical scooter when you get to speeds around 40. the noise is still there when u let go of the gas and brake.

the other issue is loose of coolant. filled up tank reservoir full and can't see any leaks.

Any help would be great.

[oldblu65]

The noise you describe sounds like a bad wheel hub . No noise sitting still but begins around 40MPH -classic bad wheel hub symptom ! The loss of coolant might be your water pump ? When the pump seal starts going bad , there will be a very small amount of water come out the " drip hole " on the pump . The purpose of the " drip hole " is to let you know the seal is failing . The problem is with today's vehicle's engine compartments being so crammed with all the needed wires , lines , etc. that the pump is seldom visible . The water coming out of the " drip hole " will be very minute in the beginning and usually it will quickly evaporate as soon as it hits the hot engine . It's often very difficult to see any indication of coolant leaking . You may have to remove the front passenger wheel and the plastic inner fender so you can better see the pump and the surrounding area .You should then be able to determine if the pump is the cause of losing coolant . It may not be the water pump but by doing this , you'll know and can look at other areas that could be involved . Be sure to be safe using jack stands under the car and make sure to follow all safety procedures ! Good luck !

[Scrapper]

Originally Posted by bungea

2001 chevy impala 140,000 3.4 engine

hearing a small motor noise for like an electrical scooter when you get to speeds around 40. the noise is still there when u let go of the gas and brake.

the other issue is loose of coolant. filled up tank reservoir full and can't see any leaks.

Any help would be great.

do you smell antifrezze or does it fog up your windows? and your noise could be wheel bearing or c/v joint also road noise from tires but i wouldn't think it was your tires unless you put new one's on?

good luck...

[chevy_29]

Originally Posted by bungea

2001 chevy impala 140,000 3.4 engine

hearing a small motor noise for like an electrical scooter when you get to speeds around 40. the noise is still there when u let go of the gas and brake.

the other issue is loose of coolant. filled up tank reservoir full and can't see any leaks.

Any help would be great.

I agree with oldblu on the wheel hub on the sound. Now on the coolant issue the best thing you could do is put a pressure test on it and see where its coming from. You could have a busted radiator tank, hole in radiator, bad hose, it could be alot of different things. If you could tell where the leak is coming from it might help narrow it down.

[luvmy02impala]

Loss of coolant in a 3.4L engine, this engine has the bad intake manifold gasket issue. I was just notified the gasked failed a 3rd time (car has 150k miles). I replaced the last 2, but was compensated in the class action lawsuit.

It leaks under the throttle bottle body, I see the anti-freeze on the block and if the car sits a few days, I see the drops on the street. Car also needs a 3rd catalytic converter. It might be time to sell/trade.

I would look at the intake manifold gasket and also check you oil for signs of anti-freeze leakage into the crankcase (what happened in the situation which made me replace the original intake manifold gasket).

Hope this helps.