I noticed coolant leaking under the car lately and went under to inspect it. when i found the problem, i noticed coolant leaking from the oil pan edges. It appears that the gasket is going out or somthing. looked at the dip stick to see if theres water on it but there is none. the car is not running hot or making any funny sounds. Now my worries are these, Is there water in the oil pan or where its not supose to be? hopefully this is somthing simple. if it is the gasket, how do i take off the oil pan and is it difficult. it does not appear to be. what is going on with this problem. thanks guys.

 

Check to make sure the coolant isn't running down from the water pump onto the oil pan.

 

Make sure it isn't coming form the cylinder head gasket where it meets the block.

 

See my water pump swap thread.
That's probably your problem
Be thankful it's that easy a fix!
My water pump trail always seemed to go toward the radiator.
IF ya read my thread, do as I did in parts shopping. Pep Boys stuff worked great for me.
Is you leakage more pronounced upon morning visiting of the car?
Mine seemed to do that, leaked more in AM (after sitting overnight) than after I drove it.
IF head gaskset was shot, you'd be loosing water at a faster rate, not a slow drip/drainage. And water would exit into cylinders (vaporize) or into the oil system (chocolate milk!).
Water pump replacement time.
make sure you include new hoses, too
I had a hell of a time finding the one heater core hose off of the water pump. It's a factory preformed hose.
IT'S DISCONTINUED.
I eventually found a GATES brand and it's perfect solution for that factory heater core hose that goes under the alternator bracketry.

 

KED, what number GATES did you use???

 

Gates 19626

It's GM part number 140761000 AC Delco #16150M.
This part number is discontinued.
I phoned all over country finding maybe 4 of them at dealerships. There are 64 of these hoses in a Wisconsin GM Vintage parts warehouse. I was quoted close to $30 (shipping/tax) for this part.

The cost for the Gates was $15

The heater core hose below hose going thru alternator area is GM # 14076098

Gates or Goodyear (original manufacturer for the GM stuff) for our preformed heater hoses is the RIGHT solution unless ya get the GM or AC Delco part.

Yeah the stuff is already starting to dry up.

On my heater core hose set up, I still have one original hose left. Buy the good stuff in hoses & it'll last for many many years.

 

one thing i did notice is a little water coming from one of the screws on the lower part of the pump. it was a very small amount. the water at the pan seems to be coming from arond the pan where the gasket is. this problem happens only after i drive the car not during operation. i will check further on the pump.

 

Look at my Water Pump Swap thread, the pictures and just jump right in.
I was able to do the pump swap in a couple of hours.
Less IF I really felt like it.
I always felt it was the radiator I had purchased from the local yard. I always thought it was a slight leak from that source.

THEN THE NOISE CAME!
Nope just piece of crap japanese brand pump was the real problem. AND probable cause of my overheating, too.

IF previous owner DID NOT USE Gas-A-Chinch for gasket sealing then add about an hour to the job for cleaning the timing chain cover.
My pump fell right into my hands, came off so easy.
Timing chain cover clean up was simple, too.
Hardest part was the removal of the bolts, due to TEFLON sealant I used on bolts. I went to bench grinder, wire brushed off bolts all old sealant, applied new sealant and not a leak since.

See my Water pump swap thread & your answer is there.

 

how do i find your thread sir?

 

See the
PUMP you UP! thread I brought back.
Tain't no "sir" just KED85 or Karl
Hope this helps ya.
I think this is your problem.
Seeing your location (LA), the parts are available at same stores I got them from.
You'll probably need new hoses, there too. Expect that.
My car now has one orginal heater core hose on it.
Recently discovered he one heater hose "you'll touch" is discontinued.
I eventually got a Gates brand & it's identical to what was removed. Gates is an OEM supplier of hoses for manufacturers.
3rd Gen parts are becoming discontinued very rapidy.

 

Thanks i found it. one question, wouldnt the water come out through the seep hole on the pump?

 

I think you deserve quite a few sirs and bows after the miracle you pulled with pacesetter and getting them to pump out headers for us poor, lowly, 3rd gen 6cyl owners.

:hail: :hail: :hail: :hail: :hail: :hail: :hail: :hail: :hail: :hail:

 

You can't imagine how wondeful it is to give someone a smile because you "fought for all of us & won!"
Thank Pace Setter, they took the chance!

What I believe is happening is the water is "dripping" further back, due to wind.
If ya look at my pump is shot pic, as long as ya see water, it could easiest be from this one source.
Other option is to dry/wipe off block more driving and follow trail.

 

I found the problem. The lower rad hose was leaking at the pump where it conects, so thanks for the advice karl. took it off and found no hole in it. i tightened it up and now its a very very small amount leaking. its only drips now. Its nothing major or nothing like it was before. what can i do to make it stop leaking completely? the hose is still in very good shape. is there some type of sealant that goes around it?

 

YOU HAVE THAT PROBLEM!!!
Bummer
AND HOPEFULLY SIMPLE SOLUTION
Three choices.
New chain cover & the work associated with it or a way better used one.
New hose
OLD HOSE & THIS PROBABLE WASTED EFFORT!
Go get some teflon pipe sealant at plumber store.
Coat the tchain cover exit pipe. Slip on hose, tighten.
I DOUBT THAT WILL WORK BUT.....
really best deal is simply go get the GM Replace hose & be done with it. Old hoses sure still look good, don't they?
I also coat the inside of my hoses & the fitting ends with motor oil. They slip rght on & "very helpful" when removing them. Plus the oil helps "seal better".

Glad I helped ya with easy fix.

When I had same problem with that one heater core hose, yep I tightened. Guess what.....I eventually found the hose & yep it's GM Parts counter discontinued. I got a GATES part. Gates is OEM for the hoses to GM, so is Goodyear. You want a BOTTOM hose with the Spring inside it, not the "ribbed things!". ALSO MAKE DAMN SURE you tighten that bottom RADIATOR HOSE SECURLY! AND IT BETTER BE ON THE RADIATOR!
Mine slipped off at bottom rad fitting going over the Sepulveda Pass on 405 heading North.
Wanna see the #1 piston with the hugh Silver Dollar hole in top?
That's also why I got the 3.4.
Why rebuild only a 2.8?
Was kinda cool (now, not then!) to see my car doing a NASCAR like black smoke burn blew engine whole way up hill. I coasted downhill to the 101 exit!

Go get new hose, give it a shot "COULD" be OK!
IF your exit fitting is this "far gone" you may end up doing way more damage by "overtightening!". Like collaspe/break/opps! Be forewarned!

 

good lookin out carl. this teflon stuff ive heard about. i was afraid to get it from the store cause i did not know if this was somthing that can be used on the car. i will go get a new hose and teflon. good job on helping me track the problem. By the way, I stay about 2 miles from the 405 freeway, so im geussing we may be in the same area. Im not that far from the sepulveda exit. Im in Hawthorne by the airport.

 

If it's leaking where the rad hose connects to the w.p. make sure it's really clean. Sand and dirt tend to build up in that area. You have to clean all the way around, even at the back where it's hard to reach and impossible to see.

Dayco also makes replacement hoses for our cars. The two question-mark-shaped hoses that connect to the heater core at the firewall I got are Dayco brand.

edit: I also found this product from Dayco that might be able to replace hoses that are no longer made:

http://www.dayco.ca/english/passenge...ose&Page2=Flex

 

thanks alot dude im going to look into this stuff. im just tired of buying coolant for the damn car everytime i drain the rad.

 

I'm out where the 405 & 5 meet!
Out that way
I do know the Hawthorne area real well, tho!
Keep at it we'll help ya with the simple tips!
YET be prepared INCASE YA gotta bite the bullet!
Hope this will get ya past the BS Coolant situation!
When I did my heater hose mission, I saw the inside of the hose, it was cracked (like it's only 20 years old!).
Give a try to some of our solutions.
Hope I educated by pics why ya may have to do the tchain cover swap, too.
USING THE PLUMBING TEFLON SEALANT be aware NOT to let any of that stuff into the coolant stream! IT WILL CLOG YOUR ENGINE COOLANT SYSTEM.
More tips!