1996 Grand Am massive coolant leak.

[Polarize]

My wife has to add more than a gallon of fluid to the radiator reserve before going out each day because the car is losing coolant somewhere.

I never drive her car and only today had a chance to take it out for a spin. When I pulled back into the driveway at home, I noticed a trail of fluid all the way down the road... again, a massive leak.

I left the car running and crouched down behind the passenger front tire and saw quite alot of coolant leaking out - it appears to be at the firewall, but is impossible to tell for sure without lifting the car up.

The heater works, there is no smoke out the tailpipe, no coolant in the engine oil.

Is it possible that it is a hose going to the heater core (where the hose meets the firewall) ???
What is the best way to confirm the location of the leak, and how difficult will it be to repair when I elect to 'recruit' my buddies over the weekend?

When I was crouched down, I could hear massive hissing, just as if there were a leak in one of the main (larger) rad hoses found on any car.

- thanks

[catback23]

Best way to find the leak is too look, you can try looking at the general location from under the hood as well as under the car...the leak could also be a heater core leak, the drain for the evaporator and heater core is located on the firewall if memory serves...for your sake I hope it's not a heater core issue, I recently did mine and it was a nightmare at best (more pleasant if your flexible).

[tommy00gt1]

Have you noticed if you're getting that un-mistakingly smell of "radiator fluid" coming out from your dashboard area (defroster area)... or if you have dampness and wetness to the carpeting on the passenger side floor?
I'd venture a guess of a heater core issue; but not 100% positive........

[donnap1957]

I have the same car and had the same problem. Massive amounts of coolant right behind the passengers tire. I followed the leak to the water pump which is just off to the side and to the rear of the passenger tire. Had the water pumpt replaced and fixed that problem but I am still loosing coolant somewhere up near the reservoir. The amounts are has massive as the puddles I was getting from the water pump but I still have to replace coolant every 4-5 days in the Texas heat.

[Polarize]

Sorry for not following this thread, but the problem was corroded heater core connections. I raised the car and merely touched the hoses from the engine block and they both snapped off at the heater core 'male' ends.

Follow-up... because the engine overheated so many times, the engine finally ceased. Make sure you tackle this problem ASAP, or you might suffer the same consequences

[donnap1957]

OH MY!!! Thank you very much for taking the time to send the e-mail. I am moving to Wyoming the end of the month and I probably would have had some serious problemos. I am calling my mechanic tomorrow.

Thank you again,