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Need help..coolant leak

K

Ktrap

New member
Need some info, I have a coolant leak in this little plastic elbow (it's cracked) under sc snout. (looks like it goes from water pump to intake) Question is, does any one know what's all involved in changing this? does the whole intake have to come off? Thanks in advance guys.
 


Yep. 3 bolts for the alternator (disconnect your neg. battery first :)), 3 bolts for the tensioner and replace the elbows. You might as well do both as two come in a pack. The larger one for the tensioner into the WP and the one going into the LIM.
 
Yes sir. I did mine less than a year ago. And today, I had them replaced AGAIN.

What's the expected life of these pieces of crap? I love these engines, but the elbow design is just annoying. Am I destined to change these every 8-10 months for as long as I have the car?
 


Not really. Often upon reinstall the oring gets rolled and doesn't seal good, thus causing a leak again.

I usually put some RTV around the oring and a thin layer in front of it then reassemble. Also make sure that they go in squarely, as they will often go in ok but really be cocked to one side just a bit.
 
Yes. I remember them going in like that. But, I had a shop do it this time. And he said they were cracked again, instead of leaking from the connection. The first set that went were cracked really bad. I would say 75% of the elbow had a definite crack in it. It was bad.
 
If you lube the o-rings..they won't roll on you. I've actually never had that happen.

Then if you wiggle the elbow as you tighten the tensioner, you'll ensure there's no pressure on it..and it won't become less than 90*...which makes it leak.
 
i hate these things. found this under search as mine are leaking for the 4th time. last time was when the motor was out of the car so they went smoother than the other times yet still leaking with grey rtv sealing it up also.
 
Best thing to do is get the ones from GM, the help ones are significantly smaller and leak,
24503423
12565082
Those are both elbows should be about $20 for both. Compare them side by side to the Help ones and you will see how smaller the cheaper ones are.
 


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