Lower intake gasket leak help

[Jason Armes]

My wife has a 97 firebird 3.8L. She usually posts in the lounge. I just happen to be the guy that works on the car for her [img]smile.gif[/img]

Anyway. I noticed a coolant on top of her water pump and the bottom of the intake. I dont think it is the water pump since the ewep hole should be on the bottom right? I didnt notice any coolant on the bottom. But my guess wouldbe it is coming from the lower intake, by this big 1/4" gasket. I guess it is more like silicone.

Do any of you guys have any tips, tricks, stuff to watch out for in putting a new lower intake gasket on the 3.8? Or could it still be the water pump? I plan on puttina a pressure leak tester on their to make sure it is coming from the intake.

Thanks

jason

[Christian]

This is why even at my young posting age I love this site ;) I got here to ask the same exact question, I promise, no lie. My 96 is doing the same thing, I got out of the car the other day and I smelled coolant and I was like WTF is that??? Looked at the bottom and sure enough....Dex-Cool dripping all over the place. It only came out for like 5 or 10 secs and stopped,so it must be from pressure and not a straight leak right? Yea and looked at the pump and sure enough on the top....Something is shredding my belt also, I replaced it but the same SH#@ keeps happening, has the engine filled with black, melted belt, I have no idea WTF is causing that either, an ofset somewhere???? Anything???

[ February 21, 2003: Message edited by: Christian ]</p>

[Jason Armes]

as far as the blet. Take your belt off and try to turn all your accesories. Maybe one of the access&gt; have a bad bearing and is dragging on the belt. Could be the water pump. Is your water pump leaking from the bottom? Maybe mine and your problem is the water pump mesing up and the belt is throwing the water back on top?? Who knows. I havent started it yet to see. Hopefully someone will shed some light on this for us

Jason

[malloynx#2]

guys i had the same problem. i was smelling coolant while i was driving and car was acting funny...

it's your water pump.. i bet you... there was nothing coming out of my weep hole and the pump was still shot..

i have a 97 too..

it take 40 mins to change it and yuo can get a new from autozone for 35.99

[whtefbrd96]

i have a 96 WITH DEX COOL ON THE TOP ALSO !!!! yeh im not alone. I keep hearing water pump, but i just cant see how its the water pump when it is on TOP and even back a litle. I have a gasket set from summit that i am gonna put on when the weather clears up.... maybe ill do the water pump too while im at it ANYONE ELSE !?!

[Christian]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by whtefbrd96:
i have a 96 WITH DEX COOL ON THE TOP ALSO !!!! yeh im not alone. I keep hearing water pump, but i just cant see how its the water pump when it is on TOP and even back a litle. I have a gasket set from summit that i am gonna put on when the weather clears up.... maybe ill do the water pump too while im at it ANYONE ELSE !?!<hr></blockquote>

I'm with you once I get under there i may as well change everything, that gasket is a byatch to get to i suppose because of the location, I wonder though about it being the pump, i can't see a leak going UP?????? WTH, if anyone can help or does it first,PLEEEEASE let us know. When I do replace the pump I am going to paint it blue also, thought I'd throw that in, eventually the entire engine will be accented red white and blue.....GO US TROOPS! But really I neeed help on this one.

[malloynx#2]

the reason you see fluid on top is because when collant from the water pump leaks it hits the spining belt and coolant goes everywhere,,

trust me your waterpump is going bad..

[ February 21, 2003: Message edited by: malloynx#2 ]</p>

[Cruzin]

I disagree with every one. It is VERY common for the silicone on the ends of the intake to go bad and begin to leak coolant. I would bet the farm that this is what has happened. Be sure and get some high quality silicone and good gaskets. I have had to replace several.

[pgriffith]

Theres a plastic tube that sits inside the lower intake right on the front. They crack really easy. Make sure its not cracked.

[Jason]

The most COMMON problem with all 3.8's and 3.1's are the INTAKE GASKETS. I cannot stress this enough I do these all day long at work. Cars with 10,000 miles and cars with 110,000 miles it doesnt matter THEY ALL LEAK! What happens usually is the bolt holes and the ports in the gaskets get frayed from over tightening, Or so it appears. Not saying that youre water pumps are good...but im saying most likely its the lower intake gaskets. I just did mine 2500 miles ago PEICE OF CAKE guys. Its really not that hard to handle with a bit of patience and a good manual of some sort to give help. GOOD LUCK guys.

[ February 22, 2003: Message edited by: Jason ]</p>

[Christian]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>
The most COMMON problem with all 3.8's and Its really not that hard to handle with a bit of patience and a good manual of some sort to give help. GOOD LUCK guys.

[ February 22, 2003: Message edited by: Jason ]<hr></blockquote>

Any manual you suggest? That would make it a piece of cake that is...and would that have any bearing on the belt evaporating like it is? Thanks

[Jason]

Id say if youre belt is gettin chewed up youve got more problems than just the intake gaskets. Take the belt off and start turning pullies. SOMETHING might be seized up like the A/C compressor for example. You can go to Autozone and find a Haynes Manual or a Chiltons manual..ID hit EBAY and find a GM Service manual for youre car. the SERVICE MANUAL would be the book that makes things a PEICE OF CAKE.

[Christian]

Thanks I'm looking for one now!

[Jason Armes]

Well guys, thanks for the responses. I put the pressure tester on the car yesterday and nothing. Let it run for awhile -- nothing. Took it for a , uh, spirtied ride, still nothing. Unless it is leaking after the car has sat for a while then it just isnt leaking anymore. Or maybe it takes a longer drive to get it to start?? I dunno. I am thinking if it does leak again, it has to be intake, since I think the pump would leak all the time, where as the intake would take a while to heat up and start to leak.

Jason

[Christian]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Jason Armes:
Well guys, thanks for the responses. I put the pressure tester on the car yesterday and nothing. Let it run for awhile -- nothing. Took it for a , uh, spirtied ride, still nothing. Unless it is leaking after the car has sat for a while then it just isnt leaking anymore. Or maybe it takes a longer drive to get it to start?? I dunno. I am thinking if it does leak again, it has to be intake, since I think the pump would leak all the time, where as the intake would take a while to heat up and start to leak.

Jason<hr></blockquote>

Yea, I get the same thing, I only had the oclular proof of leaking that one time and I check it every time I get out of it and nothing...So to be on the safe side and get my color going I am changing it anyway, plus the gasket and all of the valve covers. Thanks for the help guys and if there are any more tips, please leave them.