Thread: Coolent elbows 1997 3800

Hey guys I just did my coolent elbows on my 03. My buddy needs it done to his 1997 Buick. Since it is a 97 is the process any different? I know the 97s are messed up so I thought I'd ask before starting

http://www.grandprixforums.net/how-c...ows-49779.html heres the how too, follow bills directions for the 97 and 98.


mines a 98 the lower elbow is cast its part of the alt bracket. take the bolts out, then wiggle it a bit while pulling on it. dont wiggle to hard or the timing cover can break. once its off, clean all the holes very well, take the O ring off the new elbow, put it on the cast elbow, lube with oil slide it back on with the new upper elbow in place as well.

Soo I've removed all of the bolts on the tensioner and I can't get the thing to move. Any ideas I really don't want to break it or the piece it goes in

you can try shooting some penetrating oil at the elbow, where it enters the timing cover.

it takes a bit of work to get it out, i also was a bit scared it would break, pull it towards the fender, and gently wiggle side to side while pulling it.

very small wiggle, dont go twisting it too much.

i also broke the top elbow first. that frees the top up. channel locks cracked it easy.

There are only four bolt holes on it correct? It is really solid right now. I hit the bottom "elbow" with wd40 a few minutes ago. I haven't even gotten the collent leak worse yet. I just did this on my 03 last week and it is soooo much easier. Not near the stress of breaking something improtant

I can't really get it to pull twords the fender. It moves very little

keep at it, wiggle while pulling, its all you can do, it took a few minutes to get mine off as well. ( i walked a way from it a few times as well lol) that hole gets corroded some, the O ring just dont want to come out past the crud. cleaning this hole is very important too so the new O ring seals.

Ok I'll go work some more then. I'll post back when I get it. Thanks for the advise

no problem, good luck.

Do I have to break the coolent elbow to get enough movement to get it off?

the upper plastic one will break on its own, if you dont break it first on purpose

This sucks. It's still stuck and there is really no good way to grab it to try and pull and wiggle. Ever tried heating this after some liquid wrench?

its gonna leak now with all the fiddling, keep at it.

dont know a bout heating it, it could help, watch out for a fire with the liquid wrench on it tho..

Any ideas if the coolent elbow breaks off in the hole going into the motor?

I can feel the piece but there is no way I'm gona get it out without breaking it too. I have no idea how to break it while it is in there though

did the elbow break off the alt bracket?

It's the top elbow that goes in the engine and in the tensioner. It's the round piece that is just past the o ring. It fell into the hole just believe Pcv valve into the motor. I can't catch a break. Ps I got a lot of wiggle but I still can't get it off

that small ring of plastic should be ok if it pushed into the lim.

keep pulling on the lower, it will pop, you need to pull pretty hard, while keeping it square to the engine. the more it comes out the easier it will wiggle.

you got all 3 bolts off the bracket right?

I got it off and got it back together! And I got the plastic. Thank you for the moral support