Antifreeze leak - Repair shop said.......

[atoyota4x4]

I have a 2000 Intrigue, 3.5L

After the car has sat overnight, I have been finding 2-3 dime size drops of antifreeze on the garage floor. I thought maybe it was the water pump but the repair shop looked at it today and said it was a cross over pipe in the rear of the engine that basically take coolant from head to head. He said it was fairly labor intensive and did not have a labor code for the job but guessed $400-$600 to fix.

Just wondered is anyone else has had this leak before. I'm considering trying some stop leak first. If I have to fix it, I'll fix it but I sure would rather spend a few bucks, than several hundered.

Any suggestions are welcome, and if you think the stop leak is a bad idea, let me know.

[panzer dragoon]

it's that water crossover #3 and gaskets #42. Try the bars leaks (sealer) and maybe you have some lose bolts on the unit. Good time to change out the Dex-Cool to universal coolant.

[Jimmy Olsen]

Why in the world would one want to change from Dex-Cool to universal anit-freeze?

[panzer dragoon]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Olsen

Why in the world would one want to change from Dex-Cool to universal anit-freeze?

You asked this question before:
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...hlight=dexcool

=dexcool and the silver stuff in the coolant resevoir. (Is the silver stuff really aluminum?)

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...hlight=dexcool

Dex-cool after 5 yrs should be changed. Dexcool that has been in contact with air needs to be changed. If this part comes off to be repaired = the Dex-cool must be changed. Dex-Cool is hard to find retail anymore = you have the Dex-Cool approved or universal coolants that are better.

[panzer dragoon]

I am very interested in how this repair (first time this issue has come up on this forum) and car history (will you have other dexcool related problems?) will be. Is this the first time changing out your dexcool?

#42 is the water cross-over gasket

2000 : OLDSMOBILE : INTRIGUE : 3.5L 214 cubic inch V6 FI (H) : Engine : Conversion Gasket Set View Advice
Item Price Core Total Add to Cart
FEL-PRO Part # CS26230
DOHC Engine $62.99 $0.00 $62.99

I could not find the part on GMpartsdirect. I believe the above, from RockAuto, is the part. I would goto your GM dealer make sure you get the correct part. NAPA will probably have it also. Fel-Pro is one of the best gasket makers.

Post the GM part# here.

[Jimmy Olsen]

Originally Posted by panzer dragoon

You asked this question before:
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...hlight=dexcool

=dexcool and the silver stuff in the coolant resevoir. (Is the silver stuff really aluminum?)

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...hlight=dexcool

Dex-cool after 5 yrs should be changed. Dexcool that has been in contact with air needs to be changed. If this part comes off to be repaired = the Dex-cool must be changed. Dex-Cool is hard to find retail anymore = you have the Dex-Cool approved or universal coolants that are better.

Maybe the original DexCool "had" problems with it, don't know for sure, but I continue to use the same basic technology which allows 5 years/150k miles between coolant flushes.

The old "universal coolant" needs to be changed every 2 years/24k miles.

The aluminium in the Northstar engine will leach in any coolant once the additives are exhausted. Yes, the silver color is aluminium unless you have a better explanation.

It goes without saying that air in the cooling system is bad news. One should check the reservoir on a regular basis.

I haven't had any problems with the 5 year/150k miles anti-freeze.

[Jimmy Olsen]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Olsen

Why in the world would one want to change from Dex-Cool to universal anit-freeze?

The reason I asked the question again is because I really didn't get an answer the first time.

The 5 year/150k mile anti-freezes are superior to the 2 year/24k mile anti-freezes. Is there some point of contention here I don't see?

[panzer dragoon]

green stuff = old-style coolant

Dex-Cool = what is originally in your Intrigue radiator OEM

Universal = Dex-Cool approved etc. = The new stuff you see at Walmart etc. (the new 5/150 instead of Dex-Cool)