DEX leak (minor)

[Foubar]

I took my 1998 Venture in to see if the leak was anti-freeze. Dealer got it up on the rack and indicated that it was a DEX leak. In the process he "found" $2300 dollars in repairs including replacing the water pump (some reddish crystyl looking FOD on the lower section of the hose. Won't go into that, but does the water pump give some indication that it's giving up the ghost (sounds, etc?) or am I just whistling dixi here? Thanks

[cjstew4]

If you could post the list of proposed repairs, we can help you sort out the must dos from the dealer would like to do. The water pump may just seize up, but usually you get an indication from beginning fluid lost at its bottom middle weep hole or, by feel for overall looseness. Let us know mileage and any previous repairs if known to any component of the cooling system.

[Foubar]

The vehicle has 110,000 miles on it. We stay on top of maintenance and have had no major repairs (original owners).
From the “possible” DEX leak we got a $2300 list of “problems” that the dealer found and they are:

Water Pump (maybe, but I cannot find any leak on or near the water pump including the weep hole area) - $300

Lower intake gasket - $744
Valve cover gasket

Oil pan gasket
Rad Cap
Drain plug gasket - $668

Left hub bearing - rotate tires every oil change and there is no unusual tire wear
Left outer tie rod end
Alignment - $190

And a few small items, serpentine belt, fuel filter, clearn and adjust rear breaks (just had brakes R/R two months ago and rear breaks are self adjusting too boot) and t-stat to round out the bill.

I have put paper under the vehicle to see if I can determine where the leak(s) are coming from, I also put in a graphite stop leak in the coolant system. If the leak is small enough then that “might” do the trick, but long story short dealers are in the business of making money, but hopefully not from me.

Thanks for any and all advice you may give.

[Shadetree_Tech]

When you put the paper under the vehicle did you find any leaks?? If you did was the leak coming from the left or the right of the vehicle? Also my personal opinion, I would not use that stop leak. I have used it in the past and have had nothing but bad luck with it. Could possibly clog your heater core, or other areas. If you have a leak on the passenger side of your car then it would be a safe bet it would be the water pump considering the mileage you have on it. I have a 2003 venture and from my stand point it sure looks alot easier to R/R than the alternator. So might just be good insurance to go ahead and replace the water pump. THis is soley an opinion. Also after doing the water pump I would not put the old coolant back into it, I would get new, in order to get rid of that stop leak.

[cjstew4]

Ditto on the cautions for the stop leak products. Did the mechanic actually show you the leak really coming from the intake gasket? If not, then where is the leak coming from? If you are doing the intake gasket, definitely replace the t-stat and water pump given the mileage. Also, I would switch out the orange DEX-Cool for the green antifreeze which should not cause the same problems as the orange stuff. New rad cap and serpentine as well if you are doing the above repairs.

[1Bradymichael]

Originally Posted by cjstew4

Ditto on the cautions for the stop leak products. Did the mechanic actually show you the leak really coming from the intake gasket? If not, then where is the leak coming from? If you are doing the intake gasket, definitely replace the t-stat and water pump given the mileage. Also, I would switch out the orange DEX-Cool for the green antifreeze which should not cause the same problems as the orange stuff. New rad cap and serpentine as well if you are doing the above repairs.

Running the green stuff in a Dexcool is a big no-no, as they do not interact with each other very well, and no matter how hard you try you will never get it all out. I have seen what happens and it is not pretty

['97ventureowner]

Originally Posted by 1Bradymichael

Running the green stuff in a Dexcool is a big no-no, as they do not interact with each other very well, and no matter how hard you try you will never get it all out. I have seen what happens and it is not pretty

I agree. There is a difference in the protection packages each coolant offers. The green coolant is ethylene glycol based, while the Dex Cool is an OAT (Organic Acid Technology ) based coolant and has a protection package designed for modern engines. If properly maintained, and regularly serviced , it should give you no problems. I change my Dex Cool out every 2 to 3 years or 30,000 to 40,000 miles and do a thorough flush before installing fresh coolant. Make sure your radiator cap isn't leaking as it can be a source for air infiltration which can cause the coolant to gel.