Water Leaking on GT99

[Loeber]

I own a 99 GT with 70K. The problem is that it will only hold the antifreeze-water for about 3-4 days before I have to refill it. I have changed the thermostat, but the problem continues. I was told by a shop that it could be the water pump or the radiator and this particular shop wants $50 per hour to check it with a min of $100. That's too much right? I cannot see any leaks on the radiator.

Has anyone encountered this problem before?

[Ridenour]

Sounds like the infamous Grand Am LIM (lower intake manifold) gasket issue. If it's your LIM, you have an external LIM leak, so it's just leaking coolant on the outside of your engine. However, the internal LIM leak is notorious - your coolant would get into your oil and given enough time, eat away at the bearings in your engine. There are several areas where the LIM may be leaking, but the most common is the area beneath the throtlle body. Shine a flashlight down there (way down there) and look for pooled coolant or marks from where it ran down.

My guess would be the LIM

[Loeber]

Thanks Ride!

I have looked and bingo! there is a pool of water on the right side of the engine. I did not have to use a flashlight to see it. So how much do you think it will cost to get it fixed? How big of a repair is this?

Has anyone had the LIM changed?

[Ridenour]

No probem Loeber

Cost to get it fixed - it seems like I heard someone said roughly 400 dollars at your typical shop - i"m just pulling that number out of nowhere though cause I think I heard it somewhere. If you wanna do it yourself it can be done in a weekend with lots of work - with a cost of only like 20 dollars for the gasket (i think it was somewhere around there). Plenty of people have changed their LIM gaskets (very common GA problem) If you want good info, go to http://www.grandamgt.com/ and search the forums for it. THere's been tons of posts on everything having to do with the LIM issue, and there's some guys on there that really know what they're talking about.

[Chameleon-kat]

Hhmm on the passenger side it could very well be water pump. If its leaking bad enough you should be able to see wet spot on engine where leak is, underneath belt/water pump it is most likely pump.