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Coolant Elbow Problem

Abrasive

Abrasive

I say it with pictures
I posted this on my local boards but figured I could use all the advise I can get on this one. Here goes.

Ever since I've had the car (about 2 1/2 months or so), the upper coolant has elbow leaked. It leaked around where it goes into the intake manifold. So, tonight I get frisky and tear it all apart and replace both elbows with brand new ones. Came apart and went together with absolutely no issues.

Get it all back together, fill it back up with antifreeze and start it up to start bleeding the system. After a couple minutes, what do you know, coolant starts dribbling out of the exact same place. Granted, it's not pouring out but just enough to notice it.

Is this something I'm just going to have to learn to live with? I see absolutely nothing I can do to tighten it up in any way, they are brand spanking new for crying out loud.

Nothing like working on the car for a couple hours and accomplishing absolutely nothing. Anyone got any ideas?
 


Unfortunately, I didn't take any pics. I looked the intake over really well when I had it apart. Didn't see anything and the hole was nice and smooth. Absolutely baffled. I'm hoping a few heat cycles and maybe the o-ring will swell up a bit.
 
I had the same issue, and a guy at the local dealership told me their fix was epoxy, haven't had a problem since
 
I know its like impossible to do or shouldnt be possible, but you did use the right coolant elbow in the right place, right?

Is it possible there is some debris or something left over in the intake passage? I know when I replaced mine I had to clean out some left over o-ring material. Maybe a little oil or some type of lubricant around the o-ring or heck maybe a thin layer of RTV.
 
SyntheticShield said:
I know its like impossible to do or shouldnt be possible, but you did use the right coolant elbow in the right place, right?

Is it possible there is some debris or something left over in the intake passage? I know when I replaced mine I had to clean out some left over o-ring material. Maybe a little oil or some type of lubricant around the o-ring or heck maybe a thin layer of RTV.
Click to expand...

Yep,

correct elbow, check
cleaned the passage, check
lubed it (good old spit), check

RTV is the next step. I'll pull it back off when I'm in a better mood. Kinda want to heat cycle it a couple times to see if the o-ring will swell a bit. Who knows.
 


If you can, replace the good ole spit with vasoline, I prefer my energy suspension formula 5 prelube because it's water resistant and like glue. All you have to do is loosen the bracket to move it back enought to get the elbow out.
 
I have the same problem. Only mine isn't as bad. 15k miles or so ago, I had everything apart. Cleaned it all up well, new coolant elbows, grease on the o-rings, everything went fine. Now it leaks just ever so slightly. I have a new elbow, but I haven't taken the time to tear it apart. Soon I will. So if you find a better fix, post it up. I am curious.
 
Are you guys using the GM elbows or the Help Section ones? I read on a Bonneville site, that if you use the Help section ones, don't use the elbows that say Made in China... I'm only passing information since the only ones Ive had to replace were on a friends Bonne. They were GM elbows and didn't leak.
 


IndeedSS said:
Are you guys using the GM elbows or the Help Section ones? I read on a Bonneville site, that if you use the Help section ones, don't use the elbows that say Made in China... I'm only passing information since the only ones Ive had to replace were on a friends Bonne. They were GM elbows and didn't leak.
Click to expand...

HELP! sections elbows here. Maybe I will try to pick up some GM ones.

Anyone have a PN for them?
 
Actually, when Shannon and I rebuilt the engine we did use the GM coolant elbows. I agree that it is pretty odd. Nothing that a little RTV and som "elbow grease" (ha!) can alleviate.

ok, I'm done with my bad jokes now.
 
Were all on the right track I see. I replyed to your post on the local forum, and see many of the suggestions and questions are all the same. Guess we all know what to look for, and how to help fix it.

Yea for smart people~! :th_lightbulb:

~F~
 


You guys are using spit to lube the o-rings? I use motor-oil. That's what the GM service manual says to use too. I never had any issues with leaks when I replaced my elbows. But than again, I bought the elbows from the dealer.
 
a_v_s said:
You guys are using spit to lube the o-rings? I use motor-oil.
Click to expand...

I use spit before I stick anything into a hole. :th_thumbsup-wink::th_biggrin2:

You can use spit, motor oil, or some sil glyde, or white lith. grease even. You just want to lube the o-ring with something to keep it from tearing or rolling on you.

~F~
 
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