98 grand am water leak

[boilrman]

I am repairing a 98 grand am 3.1L for my brother in laws daughter. It had a bad lower intake manifold. I replaced all that and added colant to realize I have a fairly constant drip coming off the frame on the passenger side. It is dripping from behind the crankshaft, but I cant see any higher. It does not look to be coming from the intake manifolds I just repaired and I cant see anything from the top. Everything looks good from the top side and I'm getting a bit frustrated. When I started the car, the drip became a constant small stream of antifreeze. Could it be the water pump? is there a freeze plug on that side? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Chad

[3100]

check that heater core is not leaking

[boilrman]

I replaced the heater core about 2 months ago. The flluid is dripping off the motor right under the crankshaft pulley

[doctorhrdware]

Could be the head gasket that is leaking?

[boilrman]

hoping not. I cant see anything from the top side of the motor. While looking through the site a bit more, I have found where people have had a bad gasket in the timing cover gasket. The engine is a 3.1L v6 and it looks as tho the water pump is to the front and very accessible, but yet I cant see any leaks around it. Motor oil is clean, not milky. intake area when pulled apart was not milky and I could visibly see a break in the LIM gasket.

[boilrman]

after further inspection it appears that the timing cover gasket has failed. I am able to see water leaking down the face of the engine next to the timing cover gasket through the passenger side inspection area as well as from underneath the car. Will let you know how it goes.

[doctorhrdware]

Well at least it was not the head gaskets.

[3100]

Originally Posted by boilrman

after further inspection it appears that the timing cover gasket has failed. I am able to see water leaking down the face of the engine next to the timing cover gasket through the passenger side inspection area as well as from underneath the car. Will let you know how it goes.

Gentleman since when are the timing chain and its components spinning inside of the coolant? unless you have cracked block in that area

[boilrman]

Originally Posted by 3100

Gentleman since when are the timing chain and its components spinning inside of the coolant? unless you have cracked block in that area

I never said the timing chain was spinning inside coolant. There appears by looking in the haynes manual that there are 2 holes in the block that the timing cover covers that are coolant passages and the seal has failed in that area.

[3100]

Originally Posted by boilrman

I never said the timing chain was spinning inside coolant. There appears by looking in the haynes manual that there are 2 holes in the block that the timing cover covers that are coolant passages and the seal has failed in that area.

one of your sentences "it appears that the timing cover gasket has failed"
but it makes sense if you see freeze plugs there, just don't want you to go through all that and find out that the leak was somewhere else. Remember the old saying "measure it twice and cut once" Use good light and look all around coolant could be

[boilrman]

Originally Posted by 3100

one of your sentences "it appears that the timing cover gasket has failed"
but it makes sense if you see freeze plugs there, just don't want you to go through all that and find out that the leak was somewhere else. Remember the old saying "measure it twice and cut once" Use good light and look all around coolant could be

I understand what you are saying but the timing cover is also holding back coolant by what I am seeing.

This isnt my first time tearing into a motor. I dont consider myself an expert by no means, but I'm not a newbie either.

I look through these sites and do lots of research before I make decisions on things to see what may be common issues with what I am working on.

[3100]

front cover is also housing for the water pump make sure it is not the water pump because this leak could be deceiving.

[boilrman]

looks like the water pump actually sits at the front of the engine just above the a/c pump. I intent to change the gasket on it as well while it is apart.

[boilrman]

Job complete!!!

The timing cover has a passage from the water pump over to the holes in both sides of the block. The seal at the rear side failed causing my leak. Also while I was in there, I noticed the weep hole had some crud on the water pump, so it was replaced as well.

[boilrman]

Originally Posted by 3100

front cover is also housing for the water pump make sure it is not the water pump because this leak could be deceiving.

The water was running down the face of the engine block at the rear of the passenger side right along side of the timing cover.