Coolant leak

Tiny
PAMWELLS
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 3.1L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 186,000 MILES
I have a coolant leak somewhere toward the mid to back of the engine the reservoir looses fluid. I get puddles under my car I have checked the reservoir and the oil and the oil is not discolored and I don't see any oil in the reservoir. I have looked at most of the hoses and cannot determine where the leak is coming from. Could this be as simple as the reservoir cap needs to be replaced?
Thursday, September 26th, 2019 AT 6:58 PM

23 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good evening,

If the cap was bad, it would leak right from the cap area.

You need to pressure test the system to determine the leak.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/radiator-pressure-test

Those motors were common for intake manifold gaskets. They leak out the back of the motor and drip on the ground on the drivers side.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUlBJNK-80s

Roy
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Thursday, September 26th, 2019 AT 8:00 PM
Tiny
JELOU77
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 50,000 MILES
Hello,
I believe I have a coolant leak in my engine. What would the average cost to repair this be? Thank you very much for your assistance.
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Wednesday, December 9th, 2020 AT 11:38 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
Depends where the leak is, 3.1 engines are known to leak at the intake manifold. Pressure test first to find the leak.
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Wednesday, December 9th, 2020 AT 11:38 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JELOU77
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
If it is leaking at the intake manifold, like you think it possibly is, how much does that generally cost to fix? Thank you for your help.
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Wednesday, December 9th, 2020 AT 11:38 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
About 700.00 or so, but if it was mine, I would pressure test it first, other things can and do leak!
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Wednesday, December 9th, 2020 AT 11:38 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JOSHCHRIS
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Mine only took $500 when it leaked at the intake manifold.
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Wednesday, December 9th, 2020 AT 11:38 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KELLY MCFADDIN
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 189,895 MILES
The car that I have has a few things going on with it. First is that everything is pretty much sealed. I have a reservoir for my radiator and I fill it with 50/50 but within about a couple of days it is empty. I realize this might be due to a leak but I do not see anything leaking out. The car when I am driving it will act fine for about thirty miles then it will start loosing power and over heating. My gears will have a hard time shifting as well. When I finally turn the car off and let it sit for a minute then turn it back on everything seems to be fine again and again after about another thirty or so miles the same process with the overheating and power losing happens again. I do not know what it can be and/or if there is a way that I can fix it on my own without paying for a mechanic?
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Wednesday, December 9th, 2020 AT 11:38 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
We need to know where the coolant is going, you need to do a cooling system pressure test and a head check, this is a simple chemical test to see if there is exhaust gasses in the cooling system, both tests need special tools, so ring a mechanic and get a quote to do both there tests, they take only a few minuets each to do so the cost will be minimal, let me know what they find so we cone advise on the best action to get this fixed.
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Wednesday, December 9th, 2020 AT 11:38 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SANDY C
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 115,000 MILES
I have a 2003 chevy malibu. I just had the water pump and thermostat replaced. The antifreeze keeps running out really fast, but he says he doesn't see any hose leaks. What's going on? There's no heat, and I've gone through 3 gallons of coolant! Help!
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Wednesday, December 9th, 2020 AT 11:39 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello, I'm Danny
I suggest you should perform a cooling system test. It basically uses a pump to pressurize the system thereby allowing you to see where any leaks are coming from. You perform this test with the car off and when the engine is cold to reduce the risk of burns or crawling around a hot engine. If you don't have access to a cooling system pressure tester auto parts stores have a tool loaner program and can rent you one. Here is a tutorial showing what is involved for cooling system pressure testing.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/radiator-pressure-test

While you are trying to find the leak I would fill with just tap water to not keep having to waste expensive antifreeze until the leak is fixed. Hope this helps and thanks for using 2CarPros.
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Wednesday, December 9th, 2020 AT 11:39 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BEVERLY THOMPSON
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 250,000 MILES
I had a friend replace the radiator reservoir and now the coolant low level light stays on even though the coolant can be seen in the reservoir where it is supposed to be.
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Wednesday, December 9th, 2020 AT 11:39 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good evening.

Did your friend replace it with a new unit with the switch? There is a sensor at the bottom and needs to check if it is plugged up.

Roy

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/coolant-reservoir-replacement

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Wednesday, December 9th, 2020 AT 11:39 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BEVERLY THOMPSON
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Hi Roy,

Yes it was bought new, but I am not sure about the sensor; however that sounds like the problem. I will check it out and if it has a sensor, that will be an easy fix. If it does not have a sensor, I will get back to you.

Beverly
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Wednesday, December 9th, 2020 AT 11:39 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Keep us updated.

Roy
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Wednesday, December 9th, 2020 AT 11:39 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SLINGSHOTKID
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 117,000 MILES
My wifes car is leaking coolant at a hight rate. The car runs just fine. And the only place I can find coolant is to the right under side of the engine near the thermostat. But it doesant seem to be coming from the thermostat. It is lower and to the left of it. It seams to be colecting in a pool in a divet. I have no idea what could be leaking in that area.
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Wednesday, December 9th, 2020 AT 11:40 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Could be the water hoses, water pump, freeze plug, intake manifold-you need to look closer in order for us to help-
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Wednesday, December 9th, 2020 AT 11:40 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SLINGSHOTKID
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Already replaced hoses. And water pump is on other side of engine. I dont know what the freeze plug is. But the intake is right above the thermostat and were the leak is. How can I see if its the intake manifold. And I assume it cant be the head or head gasket if the leak is external. Thank you for your help.
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Wednesday, December 9th, 2020 AT 11:40 AM (Merged)
Tiny
FOXLELAND2
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 98,000 MILES
Been loosing coolant, not on ground or in oil.
Heater runs cold then hot then cold again.
Changed thermostat and temperature switch also flushed the system and heater core.
Now engine light on says number two cylinder misfire.
Changed plugs and wire and coil for number two.
Runs a little smoother but still rough and pulsates when you hit 4300 rpm's.
Ideas?
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Wednesday, December 9th, 2020 AT 11:41 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 34,070 POSTS
I would start with a chemical test at the radiator to look for a leaking cylinder head gasket. You can borrow the tool from many auto parts stores, but they will make you buy your own bottle of the special test fluid. It is less expensive to just have your mechanic perform the test.

An alternative is to add a small bottle of dark purple dye to the coolant, then check a day or two later with a black light. The dye will show up as a bright yellow stain that you can follow back to the source. If the head gasket is leaking, you will find the dye inside the tail pipe. Auto parts stores will have the dye for the fluid being tested, and those that rent or borrow tools should have a black light.
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Wednesday, December 9th, 2020 AT 11:41 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DEVINJCK
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 210,000 MILES
For awhile now, my car will leak coolant when I shut it off. While it’s running, there is a slight squealing noise coming from around the belt. Is this just a water pump issue? What causes the coolant to leak after the car is not running?
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Thursday, December 24th, 2020 AT 8:35 AM (Merged)

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