Coolant Leak around the engine block

Tiny
OUT OF MY LEAGUE
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX
  • 3.8L
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 160,000 MILES
There is a pipe that goes into the engine right above the water pump. It appears to go thru an opening between the belt tensioner and the alternator. Can this be fixed?
Sunday, December 21st, 2014 AT 10:09 AM

2 Replies

Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
The picture doesn't show where the leak is coming from but that tensioner has coolant going through it and a plastic fitting at the end that commonly rots out.
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Sunday, December 21st, 2014 AT 12:09 PM
Tiny
JOHNNYT73
  • MECHANIC
  • 924 POSTS
Most likely you are speaking of this tensioner (see image)? The two heater elbows are a common issue for a leak, but so is the intake manifold. When replacing the heater elbows, you will need to remove the alternator and tensioner. Be sure you have a small 90 degree pick because the gasket plus a small piece of the elbow will almost always break off and stay inside the engine block and the tensioner.
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Sunday, December 21st, 2014 AT 12:16 PM

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