Regal_GS_1989 Posted December 30, 2010 Report Share Posted December 30, 2010 I got a call from my parents last night telling me that they noticed a couple orange/reddish drops in the snow from where I had parked my car last time I visited them. So, i run out, check things out and there is no sign of anything leaking from my car, nothing in the snow under my car, but when I checked the coolant, it is a little low. The oil is clean, and there is only a slight hint of condensation on the bottom of the oil cap(normal in the winter). I did take the car to a 10 minute oil change place about a month ago, where they popped off the rad cap to test the coolant and the cap. Now, he did remove the cap when the system was hot....would this have caused anything? I didn't see anything bubble over and spill out...but i wasn't paying close attention either. The heat is working fine, the temp never goes higher than normal, there are no air bubbles when running, no sign of smoke out the exhaust, no coolant smell etc... Yes, the car still has the original LIM and LIMG...however vitually every 3800 i have come across still has the original parts, with even more mileage than my own and hasn't had any real issues.... Is it something I need to start worrying about right now...or should I just top it up, and keep a close eye on it for now? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AL Posted December 30, 2010 Report Share Posted December 30, 2010 Keep an eye on it for now but if you feel like doing the gaskets... It probably wouldn't hurt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regal_GS_1989 Posted December 30, 2010 Author Report Share Posted December 30, 2010 (edited) Fuck! Got home and pulled the car into a spot full of undisturbed snow and what do I find when I back the car out....Fucking orange drops! There looks like there is a small puddle directly above the water pump. I can't tell if there is anything leaking down from the LIM...but I can't see anywhere else where it could come from. Fuck! I did not want this to happen in the winter. Looks like i'll either have some work ahead of me...or a somewhat hefty repair bill Edited December 30, 2010 by Regal_GS_1989 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ron350 Posted December 31, 2010 Report Share Posted December 31, 2010 Sounds like you just have a plastic coolant elbow leaking. The plastic elbow connects the coolant from the lower intake manifold to the belt tensioner assembly. Your 2000 Regal has two plastic coolant elbows on the belt tensioner that will need to be replaced. Buy the plastic elbows from the dealership they are better quality than the ones in the help section. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dodgethis Posted December 31, 2010 Report Share Posted December 31, 2010 I remember when my gaskets failed, you could see the oil mixing with the radiator fluid, do you see that happening yet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regal_GS_1989 Posted December 31, 2010 Author Report Share Posted December 31, 2010 (edited) Sounds like you just have a plastic coolant elbow leaking. The plastic elbow connects the coolant from the lower intake manifold to the belt tensioner assembly. Your 2000 Regal has two plastic coolant elbows on the belt tensioner that will need to be replaced. Buy the plastic elbows from the dealership they are better quality than the ones in the help section. I was doing some more reading around this evening and was almost ecstatic when I read about that. I'll have to give it a closer look. I can live with a small external leak right now if it isn't something completely detrimental. I have the money to fix it, i just don't have the heated space to work on the car right now, and don't want to have to take the car in to a mechanic. I'll check things out tomorrow and see what I find. Edited December 31, 2010 by Regal_GS_1989 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regal_GS_1989 Posted December 31, 2010 Author Report Share Posted December 31, 2010 I remember when my gaskets failed, you could see the oil mixing with the radiator fluid, do you see that happening yet? Nope. Don't see anything like that at all. Oil is clean as well with no signs of coolant mixing whatsoever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regal_GS_1989 Posted December 31, 2010 Author Report Share Posted December 31, 2010 Sounds like you just have a plastic coolant elbow leaking. The plastic elbow connects the coolant from the lower intake manifold to the belt tensioner assembly. Your 2000 Regal has two plastic coolant elbows on the belt tensioner that will need to be replaced. Buy the plastic elbows from the dealership they are better quality than the ones in the help section. Do you happen to know the actual name for this part? I've tried looking on RockAuto...but I have no idea what the hell it is called Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ron350 Posted January 1, 2011 Report Share Posted January 1, 2011 GM 3800II Coolant Elbows Upper coolant elbow part number = 24503423 Lower coolant elbow part number = 12565082 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regal_GS_1989 Posted January 1, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 1, 2011 GM 3800II Coolant Elbows Upper coolant elbow part number = 24503423 Lower coolant elbow part number = 12565082 Awesome! Looks like this is the source of the leak. The elbow itself looks to be in good shape, other than the fact that there is a tiny amount seeping out where it enters the LIM. I'm guessing that the seal on that is shot. At least the only issue i need to worry about right now is just a slow, external leak. In fact...i wouldn't be surprised if this was triggered by the recent cold spells we've had. I've had other vehicles spring random leaks when the mercury plummets, only to have them stop once things warmed up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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