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Coolant Leak

Tiny
2CP-ARCHIVES
  • MEMBER
  • 4,540 POSTS
  • 1999 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 165,000 MILES
Car has a slow coolant leak that I haven't been able to find. When I checked the oil it appears to have water in the oil.
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Wednesday, December 9th, 2020 AT 11:46 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCHAGERTY
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,601 POSTS
The head gasket may be in peril. I would recommend pressure testing the cooing system overnight with he spark plugs out, then in the morning, hit the starter and see if coolant comes out of the spark plug holes.
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Wednesday, December 9th, 2020 AT 11:46 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JE BENSON
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 84,000 MILES
How to do distinguise between a water pump leak and antifreeze leak from intake manifolds. Car only leaks when system is under pressure, or being driven and then parked. Antifreeze is spread from around pullies and belts?
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Wednesday, December 9th, 2020 AT 11:46 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
If the waterpump is leaking, you will see the leak from a small weep hole under the pump. For an intake leak, check around where the intake bolts to the engine block. If this is the 3.1L V6, they have a history of intake leaks. Usually, they leak in the front on the passanger side.

Let me know what you find.

Joe
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Wednesday, December 9th, 2020 AT 11:46 AM (Merged)
Tiny
REAIAN
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
  • 1999 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 95,000 MILES
Help Originally I had combustion gasses in the cooling system so I tore it down to replace the head gaskets only to find them in decent shape. So I had the heads pressure checked. No leaks, and surfaced.005", new gaskets and bolted it back up. Started it, ran fine, let it get a temp and checked for heat. Had it for half a minute then nothing. Shortly after this the resevior overflowed for a minute or two then sucked dry and the low coolant light came on so I added more only to have it happen again in a few minutes, thinking I had an air pocket I opened the bleeder and no matter how long I left it open or when I opened it I couldnt get a steady stream of water sometimes none. Also dont kno if this is related but the gas needle fluctuates between half and full randomly. After you shut the car off you can hear the coolant boiling back into the resevior and it doesnt want to start again right away you either have to give it a few minutes or give it throttle. The oil is oil and what is left of the coolant/now mostly water is clear! Any ideas greatly appreciated! Thankx
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Wednesday, December 9th, 2020 AT 11:46 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ZACKMAN
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,202 POSTS
Replace your radiator cap. Usually bad cap will act the way you describe, loss of coolant and boiling reservoir after shut off.
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Wednesday, December 9th, 2020 AT 11:46 AM (Merged)
Tiny
REAIAN
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Thankx that was it!
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Wednesday, December 9th, 2020 AT 11:46 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ZACKMAN
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,202 POSTS
Glad we can help. Come back any time.
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Wednesday, December 9th, 2020 AT 11:46 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SOXFAN04072
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1999 CHEVROLET MALIBU
Help! My 99 Malibu (3.1 liter - 150k miles) is losing coolant. There are no apparent leaks and the temp guage is a little higher than normal, but not too much. I put coolant in last Sunday and my low coolant light came on again this morning.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!
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Wednesday, December 9th, 2020 AT 11:47 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CLY
  • MECHANIC
  • 308 POSTS
I would take a look at the Intake gaskets. Also look at the oil cap and make sure that it is not going inside the motor. If it is the oil cap will have nasty stuff on the bottom of it.

Cly
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Wednesday, December 9th, 2020 AT 11:47 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SERVICE WRITER
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,123 POSTS
Cly is likely right on. The level is actually going down correct?
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Wednesday, December 9th, 2020 AT 11:47 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SOXFAN04072
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thank you for the replys. Took it to the garage on Tuesday and it is the head gasket - told it would be about a $700 job - ouch!

Thank you again!
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Wednesday, December 9th, 2020 AT 11:47 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ANGELINA_2222
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 CHEVROLET MALIBU
1999 Chevy Malibu 6 cyl Automatic 44500 miles

My malibu is leaking antifreeze from the underside of the engine. It's not running hot or anything else (I'm accustomed to radiator problems from a previous car). Can you tell me what you think the problem might be?
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Wednesday, December 9th, 2020 AT 11:47 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,542 POSTS
It could be leaking from your water pump. Look where your pulleys and belt are at. One of those is your water pump. See if there are any signs of a leak in the area.
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Wednesday, December 9th, 2020 AT 11:47 AM (Merged)

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