A little coolant leak to look out for READ THIS!!!
A little coolant leak to look out for READ THIS!!!
I have just ran into a problem that I am letting everyone here know about...A couple of weeks ago I put in a 160 deg thermo(I found that one from a V8 fits just fine) but I noticed my cars temp was fluxuating a little. I started to look around while tring to turn the air pump into drawing crankcase pressure from the engine Via the EGR on the valve cover. Which afer I find out how I will post it...I know it can be done I just have to rp the damn thing out to look at it...
Anyway I am off the subject now, the coolant problem I found is an aluminum piece that comes out of the lower intake right below the thermo housing. I saw a small puddle of orange coolant(I put in dex-cool), and traced it to this friggin fitting that I touched lightly with the tip f my finger and it broke loose...The piece of Sh#t. Luckily the local dealer keeps this particular part in stock at all times cause they all fail after 6-7 years. I had to chisles out the old aluminum then run a pipe tap(1/2 inch) through it to clean the threads a little.
The parts counter person said that they replace 3-4 a week typically. The new part in a steel alloy and much better and was only 9 bucks and change.
IF YOU HAVE HIGH MILES CHECK IT NOW NOT LATER.
Anyway I am off the subject now, the coolant problem I found is an aluminum piece that comes out of the lower intake right below the thermo housing. I saw a small puddle of orange coolant(I put in dex-cool), and traced it to this friggin fitting that I touched lightly with the tip f my finger and it broke loose...The piece of Sh#t. Luckily the local dealer keeps this particular part in stock at all times cause they all fail after 6-7 years. I had to chisles out the old aluminum then run a pipe tap(1/2 inch) through it to clean the threads a little.
The parts counter person said that they replace 3-4 a week typically. The new part in a steel alloy and much better and was only 9 bucks and change.
IF YOU HAVE HIGH MILES CHECK IT NOW NOT LATER.
Member
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 398
Likes: 0
From: Southwest Ohio
Car: 1986 Firebird, 2000 WS6
Engine: 2.8, LS1
Transmission: 700R4, T-56
Axle/Gears: Stock, Stock
Thanks. I'll have to check that out. Maybe that is where my coolant is going. I think I have a slow leak, but a I can't find where. Maybe that is it.
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The famous "one wheel peel"
My only mod: Flowmaster 40 series
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The famous "one wheel peel"
My only mod: Flowmaster 40 series
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
From: Callander, ON, Canada
Car: 2002 Grand Am GT
Engine: 3400 V6
Transmission: Automatic
Mine's leaking too (and burning). Maybe that's a spot to check out.
Camaro_hunter_d, what engine and year is your car?
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Mike Davis 1984 Pontiac Firebird
2.8L V6 LC1
Camaro Z28 mag rims
Kenwood KDC-215 CD receiver
"Oh I've seen better days
The pain of these memories I cannot drive away" - Econoline Crush "Nowhere Now"
Camaro_hunter_d, what engine and year is your car?
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Mike Davis 1984 Pontiac Firebird
2.8L V6 LC1
Camaro Z28 mag rims
Kenwood KDC-215 CD receiver
"Oh I've seen better days
The pain of these memories I cannot drive away" - Econoline Crush "Nowhere Now"
Supreme Member
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 13,414
Likes: 6
From: Central NJ, USA
Car: 1986 Firebird
Engine: 2.8 V6
Transmission: 700R4
That's weird; I bought an SLP 180 degree thermostat (for a v8) and it was way too big to fit in that spot.
Are you talking about the heater hose fitting?
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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards
---Think your car could be pic of the week? Visit http://www.f-body.net for details!
Are you talking about the heater hose fitting?
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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards
---Think your car could be pic of the week? Visit http://www.f-body.net for details!
I have a 92 camaro with the 3.1 V6.
The part I am talking about if you follow the heater hose from the back of the fire wall to the 2-to-1 plastic connector that has a vacuum line attached to it.
If you follow a small piece of connector line to a hard line that runs in front of the motor and then that hard line has 2 metal connectors that connect to 2 very short rubber lines below the throttle body.
The metal line plastic clips into the part that comes out of the bottom intake runner. This is the part I am talking about. It is easy to see from the drivers side looking below the thermo housing. It is hard to see if it is leaking cause the space behind the water pump lets the coolant drain without being seen.
And for the person that said that someone told them that a V8 thermo would not fit, it does. It is the same diameter, it just does not have the rubberedge gasket so you have to use high temp RTV, thrust me mine fits fine and my car does not see above 190 because of this...
The part I am talking about if you follow the heater hose from the back of the fire wall to the 2-to-1 plastic connector that has a vacuum line attached to it.
If you follow a small piece of connector line to a hard line that runs in front of the motor and then that hard line has 2 metal connectors that connect to 2 very short rubber lines below the throttle body.
The metal line plastic clips into the part that comes out of the bottom intake runner. This is the part I am talking about. It is easy to see from the drivers side looking below the thermo housing. It is hard to see if it is leaking cause the space behind the water pump lets the coolant drain without being seen.
And for the person that said that someone told them that a V8 thermo would not fit, it does. It is the same diameter, it just does not have the rubberedge gasket so you have to use high temp RTV, thrust me mine fits fine and my car does not see above 190 because of this...
i think i have the exact same problem. my coolant is leaking slowly but i can't see were it is comming out of. everyday there is a little puddle under my car.
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Drive it like you stole it!
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Drive it like you stole it!
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Supreme Member
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 13,414
Likes: 6
From: Central NJ, USA
Car: 1986 Firebird
Engine: 2.8 V6
Transmission: 700R4
I must've gotten a weird-sized thermostat then. I kept the thing; I never sent it back to Summit. (It was only $8 or so.) I thought it looked kind of big!
I just wish I knew what I did with it...
What year is your car again? I'll have to check that (blown) '89 2.8 that my friend and I just pulled out of his car to see if that aluminum piece exists on the heater hose line. Maybe I can talk him into that extra $9- thanks for that info!
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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards
---Think your car could be pic of the week? Visit http://www.f-body.net for details!
I just wish I knew what I did with it...What year is your car again? I'll have to check that (blown) '89 2.8 that my friend and I just pulled out of his car to see if that aluminum piece exists on the heater hose line. Maybe I can talk him into that extra $9- thanks for that info!
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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards
---Think your car could be pic of the week? Visit http://www.f-body.net for details!
I know the fitting ya speak of... last summer when everone was doing the coolant bypass mod i touched that thing and snap... i ended up having to plug it and bypass the whole heater core cuz i broke the fitting and then the plastic fitting that holds the 3 5/8 and 1/2 inch hoses... Was a pain... never did replace it. Anyways be careful around that fitting, it is touchy
David
David
Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
From: kent England
Car: 92 firebird
Engine: 3.1 V6
Transmission: 5 speed manual
Axle/Gears: t5 and standary rear end
ME TO PLEASE HELP >>>>>>>
heres what mine looked like, small leak that got worse and worse, found it, touched it and it fell apart. does anyone know what size tap i would need to clean out the old thread , i think its 1" NPT but not sure, oh im in the uk and have never heard of this type of thread, i know the new part will be tapered but i dont think the hold in the intake is please help me as i have to take a groom and best man to a wedding in 3 weeks (doh)
Nick
Nick
Junior Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
From: West Des Moines, IA
Car: 91' Firebird
Engine: 3.1L V6
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 3.23's
What is the actual name for this part.
I'm going to flush my radiator this weekend so i will take a look at it. I think i have a slow leak too.
I'm going to flush my radiator this weekend so i will take a look at it. I think i have a slow leak too. Supreme Member
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,461
Likes: 0
From: BFE, MD
Car: 13 Ram 1500/ 78 Formy
Engine: 5.7 / 7.4
Transmission: 6sp / TH350
Axle/Gears: 3.55 posi / 3.23
I've not seen a v8 w/that setupyet.
Also, a good source to replace it is teh 3.4 factory part. The 94 engine I had used that quick release style,while the 2.8 was theaded all the way.
Also, a good source to replace it is teh 3.4 factory part. The 94 engine I had used that quick release style,while the 2.8 was theaded all the way.
Banned
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,340
Likes: 0
From: Orange, Calif
Car: '87 Cam RS V6
Engine: Top Secret
Transmission: DYT700R4 custom inerts and conv.
Re: ME TO PLEASE HELP >>>>>>>
Originally posted by Rexer
heres what mine looked like, small leak that got worse and worse, found it, touched it and it fell apart. does anyone know what size tap i would need to clean out the old thread , i think its 1" NPT but not sure, oh im in the uk and have never heard of this type of thread, i know the new part will be tapered but i dont think the hold in the intake is please help me as i have to take a groom and best man to a wedding in 3 weeks (doh)
Nick
heres what mine looked like, small leak that got worse and worse, found it, touched it and it fell apart. does anyone know what size tap i would need to clean out the old thread , i think its 1" NPT but not sure, oh im in the uk and have never heard of this type of thread, i know the new part will be tapered but i dont think the hold in the intake is please help me as i have to take a groom and best man to a wedding in 3 weeks (doh)
Nick
You'll need two fittings, a 2' length of 5/8" hose, plus two hose clamps.
The fittings are Earl's and can be ordered here:
EAR-981610ERL http://store.summitracing.com/defaul...0erl&x=15&y=12
EAR-712011ERL http://store.summitracing.com/defaul...1erl&x=21&y=10
Supreme Member
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 13,414
Likes: 6
From: Central NJ, USA
Car: 1986 Firebird
Engine: 2.8 V6
Transmission: 700R4
Hey, cool! Thanks! I like how that eliminates the TB coolant lines completely! And that'll look great with my covered heater hose (I got rid of those factory metal pipes 8 years ago) With those Earls fittings, do we still have to wrap the threads with teflon tape?
Banned
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,340
Likes: 0
From: Orange, Calif
Car: '87 Cam RS V6
Engine: Top Secret
Transmission: DYT700R4 custom inerts and conv.
I never use Teflon tape on heat parts, I do lot of residental plumbing (I'mn a tile contractor- I build showers etc) and personally don't feel teflon tape belongs on a car and exposed to heat. I jsut use good ol RTV on the NPT threads only. The AN threads don't need anything ever.
TGO Supporter
iTrader: (12)
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 6,819
Likes: 3
From: AR
Car: 1991 Camaro RS Vert
Engine: 350 S-TPI
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: GU5/G80/J65
I have a little more "home depot" approach to to mine, but similer design as vsix's setup.
Works great.
And holy batman, back from the dead,
Works great.
And holy batman, back from the dead,
Supreme Member
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 10,401
Likes: 5
From: Utah
Car: 89 RS 89 iroc 87 firebird
Engine: 3.1 Turbo/ 355 twin turbo
Transmission: a4 w/ 4500 stall/ a4 / t5
Axle/Gears: strange s60 /w 3:42's
Re: A little coolant leak to look out for READ THIS!!!
holy 4yo thread revival **** 7 years if u go from the start date
Senior Member
iTrader: (5)
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,517
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From: Tallahassee, FL
Car: 89 V6 Camaro
Engine: 2.8
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42 open diff
Re: A little coolant leak to look out for READ THIS!!!
First post:03-27-2001, 09:28 PM
The date is in the upper left of each post.
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