I'm new here and have a quick question.

[bigdaddy422]

I just joined here and just bought my first Pontiac. It is a 2006 Grand Prix. I bought it from my old boss that got it on a trade in for a police cruiser. It was previously used to transport juveniles for a police department. Anyways, he notified me that there were a couple of small issues that needed to be repaired. A small leak by the water pump and the Intermediate drive shaft needing to be replaced. It runs very well and haven't really noticed any coolant loss, but I have noticed while driving it that it seems to be running cooler then what I presume it should.According to the gauge typically about 150-175. Last night, it was running right at 149, it wasnt extremely cold out, about 45 degrees was the external temp. I am not sure of what work has been done, but as it was a government vehicle, typically they are taken care of. Any ideas, or should I even worry about it?

 

[cheatah faheatah]

Welcome, Friend ! Your small coolant leak is likely the coolant elbows (also called heater bypass elbows). Stock ones are plastic, and get brittle with age. Dorman brand has replacements, both plastic and as an upgrade aluminum. Both are short money, and can be swapped in an hour or so. Also these engines (I'm assuming 3.8L or 3800) are cold blooded, mine's never been past halfway, even @95* , A/C full blast, sitting in traffic. How many miles? Good luck with her, and toss up some pix if you'd like.....E.

 

[bigdaddy422]

Thanks for the reply. I figured it was something stupid simple like that. My old boss said it looked like it was near the water pump, but never really looked into it much. Hell, I bought her for $600 so Im not complaining. She has 178k miles.She will mostly be used as a commuter car, but I do think a few upgrades will be in her near future. Good to know regarding them being cold blooded. I figured as much because it runs great, just wanted to double check and yes 3.8L

 

[Fivefingerdeathpunch]

The gauge cluster is not something to trust, it does not really tell you true coolant temp.

The first big line after the bottom line on the gauge is roughly 170-180ºish, about middle is 190-200ish. Most of those cars run just below the middle or inbetween the two from what I've seen.

A scan tool would tell you really coolant temp if you wanted to reference it.

 

[cheatah faheatah]

Those elbows require removal of alternator bracket. Also remove coolant overflow tank ( 2 - 10mm bolts on top, then just pull up, there's a "fork" on the tank that slips over a "stud" on the inner fender well) leave hose attached, and put tank out of the way. Remove serp. belt, rear alt. brace, you can leave alt attached to bracket, but I find it easier to take alt. off (lay alt. on back of engine, don't ground pos. conn.) Watch the video on RockAuto.com. There's a couple hidden bolts underneath it, you'll see. Carefully pick out broken elbow pieces & O-rings. Clean holes good, fine sandpaper, even. Lube new O-rings w/ WD-40 or just coolant. Put new elbows in bracket FIRST, then push whole assembly onto block. Elbows are different sizes ( 1 symmetrical, 1 not) so they only go one way. Remove battery negative if you want to be sure alt. won't spark out on you. Might as well flush coolant while you're in there. These cars come with orange Dexcool, stuffs junk. It's OK to run cheapest green stuff, buy full strength and dilute yourself, 50/50 premix is a rip off (you are buying water). Take a look at your rad. & heater hoses, too......E.

 

[cheatah faheatah]

Video might be 1AAuto.com , I forget which...

 

[bigdaddy422]

Those elbows require removal of alternator bracket. Also remove coolant overflow tank ( 2 - 10mm bolts on top, then just pull up, there's a "fork" on the tank that slips over a "stud" on the inner fender well) leave hose attached, and put tank out of the way. Remove serp. belt, rear alt. brace, you can leave alt attached to bracket, but I find it easier to take alt. off (lay alt. on back of engine, don't ground pos. conn.) Watch the video on RockAuto.com. There's a couple hidden bolts underneath it, you'll see. Carefully pick out broken elbow pieces & O-rings. Clean holes good, fine sandpaper, even. Lube new O-rings w/ WD-40 or just coolant. Put new elbows in bracket FIRST, then push whole assembly onto block. Elbows are different sizes ( 1 symmetrical, 1 not) so they only go one way. Remove battery negative if you want to be sure alt. won't spark out on you. Might as well flush coolant while you're in there. These cars come with orange Dexcool, stuffs junk. It's OK to run cheapest green stuff, buy full strength and dilute yourself, 50/50 premix is a rip off (you are buying water). Take a look at your rad. & heater hoses, too......E.

I will look for the video. As far as coolant, I only buy full strength.It is a ripoff without question. Sure I can buy a premix for a dollar or two cheaper, but for an extra buck or two I dilute myself and make two bottles instead of one.