plastic coolant connector braking twice

[arnstr]

92 buck lesabre
plastic coupling that connects engine block to the water pump
(via rubber hose) broken
dug out the piece stuck in the block and replaced the coupling
ran for 10 minutesd or so and checked for leakage
the wife drove to work next morning (10-15 Km) and it broke again
maybe thermostat is stuck and the piece is melting??
tightened the plastic coupling too much (I don;t think so)
air in system when refilling coolant??
bad sensor??
anybody have similar problem and what is the cause??

[public]

I have replaced several of these over the years with a copper nipple and just ran hose. I believe Dorman makes the nipple with the propper thread on the base. Good Luck.

[avatar307]

This is apparently a very common problem, and a very poor design on GMs part. (Especially since it's under the alternator, so you never know it's broken until it's REALLY broken.)

I bought a steel fitting at AutoZone to replace this exact same piece. However, AutoZone doesn't list it in the computer as being associated with the car and no one was really sure what I wanted when I showed them the remains of mine.

I ended up following the guy into the back, and digging through a drawer of heater hose fittings. There was a single black steel one, with an O-ring on it, which turned out to be an exact thread match for mine.

However, they do list the hose in computer as Radiator Hose - Bypass or Heater Hose - Bypass, made by Kelly-Springfield I think and listed under Radiator Hoses.

Hell... here... let me find the receipt. (This whole issue here aggrivated the hell out of me, so let me see if I can save someone else the trouble.)

For my 1995 Buick LeSabre, 3.8L V6 SFI VIN:L engine, my reciept reflects I purchased the following from AutoZone:

#246410 563590 HTRHOSEFTG 5/ $2.99
#002385 S-3041 BY-PASS HOSE $4.99
#268409 KE12SS CLAMP 9/16" T $1.49

Translation (my best guess):

Item Number: 246410 563590
Description: Heater Hose Fitting - 5/8"
(I'm guessing it's a 5/8" thread. My reciept only shows the 5/, but it can't be 5/32" or 5/16", as is was a pretty large fitting.)

Item Number: 002385 S-3041
Description: Radiator Hose #3041 (Bypass)
(3041 is printed on the label wrapped around the hose.)

Item Number: 268409 KE12SS
Description: Standard 9/16" Hose Clamp x 2

Hope this info helps save you some considerable time and fruastration. Remember, these parts are for a 1995, but I'm betting a 1992 uses the same.

As far as getting the old plastic piece out of the engine. I ended up using my pocket knife as a make-shift extractor (as they don't make extractors that big). Hammered it in with my Mag Light and then torqued it with a screw driver. For the most part all I accomplished was scrapping out the inside until it finially broke. Then I was able to pry the side with a flat screw driver while pulling with my finger in the middle of the remains of the fitting.

Hey... I was in the AutoZone parking lot when the fitting finially broke, so I only had 4 screwdrivers, a knife, a flash light, and two sockets sets to work with. LOL

I had been tracking a coolant leak for months, and was at AutoZone to buy a second water pump gasket. Opened my hood, and there was a stream of coolant shooting out from under the alternator. I nearly threw something and jumped for joy in the same stream of cussing. Spent 3-4 hours under my hood in the AutoZone parking lot.

[piewagn]

You can buy a new design metal nipple from you local GM dealer.
I've been working on Buicks for 20 yrs. I've done several of these repairs.
Same goes for all the C/H platform vehicles with the 3800 eng.

[charston]

Got a nice heavy metal one from GM in '03.

I got the old one out with a wood (spade) drill bit and a cordless drill. It was broken off flush so I jammed the points of the bit into it and squeezed the trigger. Came right out.

[TTCzar]

Yes, the replacement fitting from your GM dealer is nice, but $19.00 nice? That's what I donated for mine. I need another for my other LeSabre, I'll try the AutoZone stock number. Thanks for posting that.

[LeBuick]

Originally Posted by avatar307

I had been tracking a coolant leak for months, and was at AutoZone to buy a second water pump gasket. Opened my hood, and there was a stream of coolant shooting out from under the alternator. I nearly threw something and jumped for joy in the same stream of cussing. Spent 3-4 hours under my hood in the AutoZone parking lot.

What a bitter sweet blessing. While saving you hood time changing out a good water pump it left you stranded at the parts store.

[lesab92]

While changing out the alternator in our '92 Lesabre last year, I noticed some coolant below where the old plastic piece threads. I discovered that the piece was already half broken. I bought the GM replacement which came with a nice 'O' ring at the end. I had some trouble getting out the old part, but have had no problems since changing to the metal part. So how much $$$ did GM save by using the plastic part? I heard from the parts guy at a GM dealer that others had this piece fail while doing 60 MPH. To me it's just another example of ridiculous engineering. Use a plastic part on the cooling system where it can fail, but apply mirror finish stainless steel trim to the lower body of Park Avenues. Too much trim and not enough logic where it is really needed. I really don't think I'll be buying any more GM cars.

[duff2]

All I had to do was show it to a GM parts guy. I said "you probably know what this is". He said "do you want a hose too? I asked "It's not a $30 hose is it? ". He said no about $8. It was a $13.35 hose. But I really got hosed when I got the bill. The steel connector was $15.97. Don' buy it at a Stealership !

Duff

[HotZ28]

Originally Posted by duff2

All I had to do was show it to a GM parts guy. I said "you probably know what this is". He said "do you want a hose too? I asked "It's not a $30 hose is it? ". He said no about $8. It was a $13.35 hose. But I really got hosed when I got the bill. The steel connector was $15.97. Don' buy it at a Stealership !

Duff

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