1995 Grand Prix bought for 16 year old radiator leaks from underneath

[debgirl1663]

Ok...today I bought my 16 year old son a 1995 Grand Prix. it's not a mint condition or anything, but I bought it as is. Duh...that was stupid. We got it HOME before the major leak in the radiator surfaced...I can see where the coolant (it's green) is leaking from underneath the car...it's a round cap of some sort (possibly the drain plug?) about 1/3 of the way back from the front of the car near the driver's side front wheel. any idea's on how much this bad boy might cost to fix? I only paid $3250 for the car and can put about $1000 in to getting the engine in shape for the boy to drive from point a to point b...I'm a single parent so money gets tight after that. if there's anyone in my area of Ohio who might be able to help, it would be appreciated!

Thanks loads!

[eippermx]

Fifty bucks all day long for a grade A radiator for your car..Looks like the radiator in your car is used in a few different models.Found this info in your state off of car-part.com......

1995
Radiator
Pontiac Grand Prix DRAINED A 9434G $50 Wayne Auto Parts USA-OH(Dover) E-mail 1-800-545-7809 2144
1995
Radiator
Chevy Lumina Car LS,3.4,AOD,FWD,AC A AD1467 $50 Center Street Auto USA-OH(Youngstown) E-mail 1-877-743-9902 2185
1995
Radiator
Pontiac Grand Prix FWD,3.4,AC,AOD,GT A AE1181 $50 Center Street Auto USA-OH(Youngstown) E-mail 1-877-743-9902 2185
1995
Radiator
Chevy Monte Carlo 3.4,AT,FLR A AG2442 $50 Army's Auto Wrecking Inc. USA-OH(Lima) E-mail 1-800-626-9299 2007

[debgirl1663]

so, It will only cost $50 to replace the whole thing? Pretend for a minute that I'm a woman (whoops, I am) and that while I know what's leaking (I do), and can point out where it's coming from (I can) pretend I can't repair it all by myself (I am pretty sure I can't...and pretty sure I don't even want to try!) It looks like it might be a drain plug leaking? Does that sound like it might be the problem? I can actually SEE the fluid leaking from the area I talked about...I WISH I could find a diagram or picture or something of the UNDERNEATH side of the engine so I would know for sure. ANY HELP any one might have for me is HUGELY appreciated. Thanks!

[CRazyGPCHick]

Originally Posted by debgirl1663

so, It will only cost $50 to replace the whole thing? Pretend for a minute that I'm a woman (whoops, I am) and that while I know what's leaking (I do), and can point out where it's coming from (I can) pretend I can't repair it all by myself (I am pretty sure I can't...and pretty sure I don't even want to try!) It looks like it might be a drain plug leaking? Does that sound like it might be the problem? I can actually SEE the fluid leaking from the area I talked about...I WISH I could find a diagram or picture or something of the UNDERNEATH side of the engine so I would know for sure. ANY HELP any one might have for me is HUGELY appreciated. Thanks!

Debbie-
Its pretty easy to replace a radiator, seriously! It might look intimidating but its not. The hardest part is getting the air to bleed- Maybe the kid could help you? I dont know how much a shop would charge (never had them do it) but its> $200.
Is the drain plug that you see green? If it is its probably stripped and MAY be leaking-try here:

Auto Troubleshooting

[debgirl1663]

Someone on another auto forum suggested it might be the freeze plug? I really don't think that my son and I have the combined knowledge to replace the radiator...I have a mechanic I trust, but I want to be able to go in knowing what the problem is so that I don't look retarded. That's how I ended up with the car in the first place...these idiots told me that it was inspected and in good working order. Silly me, I should have taken it to my mechanic FIRST only he was already closed for the day.

[eippermx]

I'm in agreement with the ease of swapping the radiator. Assuming it's the radiator plug leaking, then take it out. Don't forget to look at the end of it and see if there is an O-ring on it. If there is, replace it. Caveat here, it could be missing if there is an indentation at the end where one should be.
On the other hand, you could have a leak where tank clamps to the aluminum core by the draincock. The best thing to do is rent or borrow a radiator pressure tester and pinpoint the leak to make your final determination as to what to do with the radiator.

[CRazyGPCHick]

Deb-
The freeze plugs are on the engine block itself, not on the radiator. The leak would be originating somewhere about mid point, under the engine itself. Is that where its coming from? I sure dont want to mention the usual IM, (shudders~) coolant leak.
If you are sure its coming from the rad then its not a freeze plug.

[debgirl1663]

That's the whole deal...I need a picture of the underneath side of the car to pinpoint the leak itself (to see the part I'm looking at) Unfortunately, the owners manual doesn't come with one of those.

[debgirl1663]

I haven't a clue how to get it out of there to look at it. I don't own jacks or anything like that and I live in a condo. I'm not at all certain where I'd do the work. Looks like it will be off to the mechanics for me and HOPEFULLY the only problem is that plug and not a cracked engine block. I'm certain it is coolant that is leaking...it's green, so it's not oil that is leaking.

[SUERED]

It helps if you mention the engine size---do you know it? The only round cap over and near the driver's side wheelwell (not on the engine) is the windshield washer fluid container (on a 3.1 liter). Since all the engine fronts are to the passenger side (transverse) and the tranny is on the driver side--coolant issues are likely on the passenger side unless it is a major issue--like a head gasket or upper radiator hose in this case. Windshield washer fluid hose connections are notorious for age leaks--are you sure the fluid is not blue? Is it slimy or watery? Coolant is slimy to the feel. More importantly, have you been adding coolant to its reservoir which is over the PASSENGER wheelwell--that would confirm the problem and this wasnt mentioned.