Coolant Leak Above & Behind Water Pump

[OneEightSeven]

** Edit: This is for a 1999 Camaro 3800 with Y87 package. Engine has been replaced, new engine has roughly 60K on it. **

So I noticed I had some coolant around the water pump. It seems to be behind it and above. Almost sorta like it's the lower intake manifold. Which explains why I've been adding coolant slowly the last few days to the radiator.

At first I thought the water pump was leaking through the weep hole. But even with a new water pump from Oreilly's the leaking continues.

I am worried it's the intake manifold upper/lower. However my oil is lightly brown & clear (fresh synthetic) so I'm fairly sure there is no internal leak going on. There is no smoke or anything from the rear. I'm going to try to get some clear pictures tomorrow.

What do you guys think it might be? I keep searching the forum and keep seeing references to 90 degree elbows that are prone to leaking. I can't really see them now at night. Where might I find such a part (oreilley/napa/autozone seems to not list them)?

If it is the intake manifold gasket how reasonable do you think it is for a relative novice to do the job? I replaced the water pump in roughly 30 minutes. It seems like for the intake manifold you need to remove fuel rail, injectors and the coil packs. Then it seems like a straight up unbolt and pry open job. Am I missing anything?

Thanks in advance!

[techsan23]

Re: Coolant Leak Above & Behind Water Pump

More times than not it is the o-rings on the elbow you have seen mentioned. It can be found in the Help! section at autozone, o'reillys etc. The elbow comes out of the front of the lower intake manifold, and points towards the passenger side. Just pull your belt off the tensioner, remove the two small heater hoses, and remove all the bolts immediately around the tensioner. Once you feel that the aluminum apparatus is loose you will have to wiggle it and pull it out towards thr fans. You will find an additional o-ring to replace on the back of it. I would put rtv sealant on the new o-rings before you reinstall to make sure everything seals up.

[techsan23]

Re: Coolant Leak Above & Behind Water Pump

You have air horns?

[OneEightSeven]

Re: Coolant Leak Above & Behind Water Pump

I'm going to look there now. Thanks for the tips. Yes I have 4 trumpets behind/below the headlights. Its great because now people don't continue to run me off the road when I'm blaring my horn. It's really a safety thing more than anything... well it's fun too.

[OneEightSeven]

Re: Coolant Leak Above & Behind Water Pump

I see the part now, couldn't last night. Thanks for the tip! How I've got to actually get to it! I'm fairly sure that's whats leaking now, it's in the right spot and feels greasy/wet. I was pretty discouraged when I had considered it to be the intake manifold. Engine only has 60k on it!

** Update: I got the alternator off and then the tensioner. I'm about to go to Oreilly's or a dealer to get the part. To take it off I just ripped the tensioner out by prying it open as I knew I'd be replacing the elbows. Putting it back in would be easier right since I'm basically lining em up and forcing em in correct? I'm fairly sure this is the origin of the leak as the two pieces were dirty with burnt on sludgy dexcool. Should I just RTV in the seams between the orings and the elbows and then sides when I plug em in or just between the oring and elbow? **

[techsan23]

Re: Coolant Leak Above & Behind Water Pump

Just put some sealant on your finger and wipe a thin coat around the o-rings after you put them on the elbow.

[OneEightSeven]

Re: Coolant Leak Above & Behind Water Pump

@techsan23

Thats what I ended up doing. Still seems like theres a leak pooling up ontop of the lower intake manifold gasket. I couldn't really tell with the engine hot and having had drained coolant from the tensioner. I'm going to let it dry out n coold down over the next half hour. I'll crank it up again and see if i start dripping.

In the event that it is the gasket (nothing really left in that area.) How hard of a job is it? Ie. it took me about 15 minutes to get the alternator and tensioner off (find tools, etc..). It took me about 30 minutes to do the water pump last night. How hard of a job would the intake manifold gaskets be?

[techsan23]

Re: Coolant Leak Above & Behind Water Pump

Its kind of a PITA getting at the 4 fuel rail nuts and some of the intake manifold bolts, but def doable. It will probably take you at least a couple of hours. One of the bolts on your thermostat housing threads into the lower intake manifold, and there are 2 hidden bolts in 2 corners of the LIM. Just break away the gasket on the LIM and you will see them. You also have to make sure the 2 o-rings that sandwich between the intake manifolds dont move around when you install the LIM.

[OneEightSeven]

Re: Coolant Leak Above & Behind Water Pump

@techsan23:

Thanks for all your help. Really appreciate you taking the time to give me advice. It sounds like I should be able to do the intake manifold gaskets in a single day. I drove around and let the car cool down twice for an hour at a time. I'm not seeing any more leaking and the coolant is staying full now under the radiator cap. I'm hoping there was residual fluid leaked from removing & installing the tensioner and elbows when I first cranked it up.

I'm going to Galveston to do some night fishing with friends and when I get back it should be completely cold. I'll start it up again and make sure there are no more leaks. Maybe it doesn't leak if it's warm/hot (expansion).

*UPDATE*: Seems fine now. No more leaking and the coolant is staying full. Guess my intake manifold gaskets are safe for now!