Need help with coolant leak...bad

[guitarfish]

I think I've got a BIG problem.

My 98 GP has a 3800 (no supercharger). I discovered a small puddle of antifreeze in the garage, and started investigating tonight.

The coolant is leaking on the passenger side of the engine. It's on the bottom of the oil pan dripping from there. With the hood up, I can see some coolant collected in an area below the main belt pully from the engine, (what I assume is the crankshaft).

There is no sign of leakage at all on the radiator, top/bott hose, or transaxle coolant lines (which attach to the tranny on the driver side of the engine).

Any ideas where this can be coming from? Is there a seal by the crankshaft? If it's coming out there, are we talking new engine?

It's got 202,000 on it, I'm the original owner, I've taken great care of it from day one.

Anyone?

[Chazman]

Sounds like a water pump to me.

I'm not familiar with your motor, but it should be driven by the main belt you are refering to.

[GTP Dad]

I agree with Chazman the water pump is probably leaking. It is not hard to change just a little time consuming.

[guitarfish]

Thanks guys. As I thought about it last night I realized the WP is right there. I guess that's what I'll do. I did some research here, sounds like the WP is a little quirky because of a bolt behind the PS pump or something. Guess I'll give it a shot this weekend.

Thanks again !

[Langning]

Originally Posted by guitarfish

Thanks guys. As I thought about it last night I realized the WP is right there. I guess that's what I'll do. I did some research here, sounds like the WP is a little quirky because of a bolt behind the PS pump or something. Guess I'll give it a shot this weekend.

Thanks again !

Can you post back on how you remove the waterpump? My GP waterpump is not leaking but it can happen anytime soon and I want the confidence that I can tackle it myself.

[guitarfish]

Sure! Heck, I'll even take a pic!

[jimmytroanoke]

also eyeball your lower intake gasket where the intake meets the heads - All GM v6's seem to have problems in this area.

[guitarfish]

Will do Jimmy. If it were that gasket, would I also likely have an oil leak? I ask because this is strictly coolant leaking (so far).

[jimmytroanoke]

Originally Posted by guitarfish

Will do Jimmy. If it were that gasket, would I also likely have an oil leak? I ask because this is strictly coolant leaking (so far).

No pressurized oil in the intake. The only oil leak you get is splashout from deteriorated end seals which are RTV and independent of the actual intake gasket.

[carnutcass]

You may want to give the little 90 degree plastic elbow that goes from the heater bypass to the front of the intake. It's a fragile piece of plastic that uses no fasteners to hold it inplace. Dealer item only. $8.

[guitarfish]

GOOD NEWS: the new water pump is completely installed.
BAD NEWS: I busted the plastic drainplug on the radiator. Whoever designed that...ughhh. I snapped the ears right off with pliers. I just couldn't open or close it with a bare hand.

So, now what?

Incidentally - there was a lot of grease near the water pump's weep hole, as well as in the inside rim of the belt pulley. Am I correct in assuming this grease was from the bearing in the water pump, and as it failed the grease came out along with the coolant?

[Chazman]

Your right about the grease.

I would assume the easyist way to fix that plug is to pull the rad, or if it is still tight just leave it alone, and pull a rad hose to change your coolant.

Those plugs are available, I found one at a local gas station when mine gave up on the road.

[guitarfish]

I finished this project. I decided to post the How To in a new thread which would be easier to find when searching the titles. Here it is:
Step by step How To: Changing Water Pump on GP