V6 Discussion and questions about the base carbureted or MPFI V6's and the rare SFI Turbo V6.

Anti-freeze leak?

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Old Oct 27, 2004 | 09:40 AM
  #1  
camaro350man's Avatar
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From: Belchertown MA
Car: 1988 Pontiac Firebird
Engine: 2.8 Lt
Transmission: 5 Spd
Anti-freeze leak?

My car is leaking anti-freeze and I have no clue where it is leaking from. It drips onto my power steering line sunder the radiator. I check all the plugs and they are tight. The cap is not leaking and the hoses are good. Where could this be dripping from? Thanks
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Old Oct 27, 2004 | 10:08 AM
  #2  
MDv6man's Avatar
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From: Elkton MD USA
Car: 1983, 1986
Engine: 2.8 2bbl, 2.8 MPFI
Transmission: 200C 3 speed, 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.08, 3.42
Sound like the water pump has reached the end of its useful life. There is a small hole in the bottom of the pump (called a weep hole). When the water pump goes bad, this hole starts to leak.
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Old Oct 27, 2004 | 12:21 PM
  #3  
camaro350man's Avatar
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From: Belchertown MA
Car: 1988 Pontiac Firebird
Engine: 2.8 Lt
Transmission: 5 Spd
It not dripping under the pump, its dripping towards the radiator. I looked all over the radiator and can't seem to find it,
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Old Oct 27, 2004 | 01:32 PM
  #4  
MDv6man's Avatar
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From: Elkton MD USA
Car: 1983, 1986
Engine: 2.8 2bbl, 2.8 MPFI
Transmission: 200C 3 speed, 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.08, 3.42
I would think one of the plastic tanks on the radiator may have cracked. It would be tough to see depending on where it cracked.
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Old Oct 28, 2004 | 08:27 AM
  #5  
camaro350man's Avatar
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From: Belchertown MA
Car: 1988 Pontiac Firebird
Engine: 2.8 Lt
Transmission: 5 Spd
Time for a new radiator?
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Old Oct 28, 2004 | 09:43 AM
  #6  
MDv6man's Avatar
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From: Elkton MD USA
Car: 1983, 1986
Engine: 2.8 2bbl, 2.8 MPFI
Transmission: 200C 3 speed, 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.08, 3.42
Originally posted by camaro350man
Time for a new radiator?
That would be the easiest way to fix it
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Old Oct 28, 2004 | 10:21 AM
  #7  
KED85's Avatar
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From: ****SoCal, USA****
I have the exact same stupid leak.
Slight minor, can't see it, nor a trail of rusted water stains on radiator.
YET I can see "trail" on base of support yep, same side, too.
I keep the system topped off & leave it be. I do not want to stick in stop leak, due to damage that may be cause by that stuff (clogs in water passage).
WHAT I WOULD SUGGEST IS
a new rad cap! the seal may be worn down due to constant opening/sealing on the rubber & beating on rubber seal cause of the environment.
Ya can't see trail due to heat evaporates the "evidence". Yet, I'll bet in AM ya see slight puddle under the car front. Cooling of night, expansion of "crack" due to morning sunrise heat. And expansion of crack, due to system heating while driving.
In my case, I'm not even pressure testing system to find leak. It's cheaper to just keep topping off system.
$4 of antifreeze vs. $$$ for rad replacment.
Will your leak "get worse"?
Mine hasn't for about 2-3 years now. Constant same rate of water loss.
Yes I replaced hoses (from GM too!).
Double check the ones at the heater core area, too.
I heard another cure may be to drop an egg (outta shell!) into radiator to seal leak. Also said is pepper, too, to accomplish same thing. I have done neither so I have no say in those cure effectiveness.
Yeah probably those plastic side tanks.
I got my rad from a V8 ride in wrecking yard for $30.
BUT if ya haven't changed the hoses, now is a good time to do so. Besides when ya eventually MAY change radiator, ya only buy the rad & simply replace that item.
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Old Oct 28, 2004 | 11:14 AM
  #8  
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From: SoCal
1. Check all the clamps for tightness;

2. Do a pressure test. Check to see if Autozone, or some other place will lend you a pressure tester
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Old Oct 28, 2004 | 11:41 AM
  #9  
camaro350man's Avatar
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From: Belchertown MA
Car: 1988 Pontiac Firebird
Engine: 2.8 Lt
Transmission: 5 Spd
I checked all of the fitting and the hoses, all tight, it dripps from the radaitor support onto the power steering lines. I think I will take my next pay check and go for the new radaitor That looks easy enough to change anyway. Thanks
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