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Ask Your Question2000 Pontiac Grand Am
Question: coolant leaking
Question
I have coolant leaking and it is puddling under the passanger side of my 2000 Grand Am SE 2.4L 4 cylinder vehicle. I have taken it to several shops and they say i have an oil leak but its obviously coolant by the smell. Can you help me by giving some suggestions...
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Answer #1
patrick mannion from Greg Solow's Engine Room, August 16, 2010, 22:12
MasterThe way an automotive shop would locate the leak is by removing the radiator cap and attaching an adapter that screws on in place of the radiator cap. Something that looks like a bicycle pump with a pressure gauge attached to it is used to "pump up" pressure to simulate pressure generated when the cooling system is at operating temperature, the leak is then found sometimes it is obviously leaking from a coolant hose or cracked housing, failed gasket or water pump, sometimes the engines cooling system needs to be inspected from below or inspected using a mirror and flash light.
To pin point where oil is leaking from the engine may need to steam clean the engine first. Starting with a clean engine and then running the engine it may be easier to identify specific leaks. If the oil leak can not be identified, florescent dye may need to be added to the oil and the engine run for a while. After running the engine the dye used has florescence in the dye is visible under UV light and it helps pin points the source of the leak. Identify the color of the oil to differentiate whether the oil leak is steering fluid, brake fluid, or transmission fluid and try to identify the location of the fluid leak under the vehicle, ie front of engine compartment, rear of engine compartment , passenger or driver's side of vehicle.Flag ThisLike | 1 person likes this1 -
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MissLaTara, August 16, 2010, 23:55Rookiebut it is not oil it is coolant i told the man that looked at my car that my coolant is orange and it could be mistaken for oil but he just looked at me like i was crazy. it is obviously coolant by the smell when i drive and that my low coolant light comes on...
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Visitor, August 18, 2010, 14:53I'm no mechanic but i have the EXACT same problem....it's leaking like crazy....and i know exactly wat ur talking about....like when your are driving your car you smell the coolent on the inside of the car and when you stop and turn the car off it sounds like it's gonna run hot? idk if that's happening with your car but that's what's happening with mine. And when i pour coolent in it comes right back out and never fills up and the coolent light stays on? When you raise the hood you can also smell the coolent leaking. If your problems consits of anything I just said I was told it's my waterpump and my uncle is replaceing it this weeknd so i'll come here and let you know how things turn out for me.....Also does your temp needle go a little over 200? i was told that wasn't normal but i dont know.....
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C.Mellz, August 18, 2010, 15:00
RookieWow!! I see i'm not the only one with this problem, I was also told it's my waterpump, and the estimated price for an automotive shop to do the work is a grand total of $700.00. Can you say Headache for a week...............
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MissLaTara, August 18, 2010, 19:10ReplyRookieOkay let me know if it solves the problem
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