Losing Coolant?

[johnt671]

I have an 01 Regal LS that keeps losing coolant. So far I've been unable to find the reason for the leak. I'm aware of the intake manifold problem on these motors but as the car has almost 200,000 miles on it I can't believe that that was already repaired. The car has Dexcool for antifreeze.

I did find the bleeder a bit loose and snugged it down a bit, and have checked the radiator hoses, and heater hoses for leaks and can't find anything. I don't see any sign of a leak under the water pump, but I want to use a mirror to check the seep hole. The radiator doesn't show any signs of a leak, and the support is dry, but I want to remove the fans to get a better look at the bottom. Don't think the heater core is leaking because there is on smell inside the car. There is no sign of oil in the coolant or coolant in the oil.

Is there anything else I could check? Are there any signs to look for that warn of a failing intake manifold gasket? Thanks for looking.

[tempfixit]

Originally Posted by johnt671

I have an 01 Regal LS that keeps losing coolant. So far I've been unable to find the reason for the leak. I'm aware of the intake manifold problem on these motors but as the car has almost 200,000 miles on it I can't believe that that was already repaired. The car has Dexcool for antifreeze.

I did find the bleeder a bit loose and snugged it down a bit, and have checked the radiator hoses, and heater hoses for leaks and can't find anything. I don't see any sign of a leak under the water pump, but I want to use a mirror to check the seep hole. The radiator doesn't show any signs of a leak, and the support is dry, but I want to remove the fans to get a better look at the bottom. Don't think the heater core is leaking because there is on smell inside the car. There is no sign of oil in the coolant or coolant in the oil.

Is there anything else I could check? Are there any signs to look for that warn of a failing intake manifold gasket? Thanks for looking.

Check with oreily's or autzone to see if they have a coolant pressure tester in their loan a tool program. See if you can find it like that. Also ask about a testing kit that you can buy for testing the coolant for anygases in the coolant. Here is video worth watching for possible problem point.

http://realfixesrealfast.com/realfix...ling_leak.html

hope this helps

[johnt671]

Thanks, I'll check that out a bit later. I don't see any antifreeze in that area, but at this point it is a slight leak.

How hard would it be to remove the belt tensioner

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by johnt671

How hard would it be to remove the belt tensioner

Visit our Buick Tips & Maintenance subforum for your answer. See link below.

NA SII 3800 Tensioner Procedure

If have no evidence of external coolant leaks then the coolant is being consumed internally which is a known problem for years on the Series II 3800 engines. Since this is a '99 and up most likely the lower intake manifold gaskets.

[big white bufflo]

there is a fitting under the alt that is plastic it has been known to crack i have replaced two of these on buicks also there is a plate under the maf on the block that leaks look for leaking on the top of trans thats were it shows up

[johnt671]

Thanks. I don't see anything the belt tensioner area so I'll check check under the MAF. I'm really thinking it may be the lower intake, but I hope not.

[BNaylor]

That doeen't make sense. The MAF sensor is located at the top and in the center of the throttle body assembly. Directly below that is the crossover pipe and heat shields for the exhaust manifolds.

High probability you have bad LIM gaskets.

[big white bufflo]

i realy ment the throtle body just below it theres a rectangular peace with two bolts just above the bell housing

[johnt671]

May have found the problem. Last night I stopped at the bank, and as I came out of the bank, and walked up to the car, I saw three drops of antifreeze fall to the ground just behind the the passenger headlight. I watched a bit longer but no more drips. Drove home and popped the hood to see some small spots of fluid just under the radiator. I didn't suspect a problem with the cap or the overflow line because when I got the car last year I replaced what looked to be the original cap and the line to the overflow tank, but I had to get a bigger diameter line than what was on the car. I got a new cap last night, and the guys at the parts store let me go in the back to find a better fitting line for the overflow tank. Tonight I watched the spot but no leak. I need to drive it a few days to be sure but I was really hoping that the LIM gasket wasn't the problem.

Thanks for all the tips!!