Ok I know this is another car and I already posted a similar message in the off topic other cars spot, but I sorta need help as a technical standpoint as far as a coolant system leak goes.

I went for a short drive.....I mean really short, just went down a side street no more then a 1/8 of a mile, and the car started to smoke. When I checked under the hood the smoke didn't really smell sweet or like coolant. When I watched it up close with a flashlight the smoke showed me that there was indeed a good amount of coolant coming out of somewhere directly below the throttlebody and spilling onto the exhaust manifold cover. (this is a 94 Pontiac Sunbird SE V6 Iam talking bout). Whenever I gave it some gas, the coolant would come out at a pretty good rate. I checked and the coolant is like a rusty redish color (not the color of the newer higher milage stuff though) it is definitely more a muddy old watered down coolant. Iam wondering if somebody added some coolant sealer into the reservoir?

Anyways I need some advise on what to do. I really liked the car and if it wasn't for the fact that the car is 180 miles away (its in Rahway, NJ) and showed me this coolant leak, I would of bought it yesterday. Instead I got nervous thinking it wouldn't make the 180 mile trip and had to leave without it.

The dealer sounded like he just wanted to get it off the lot. He even offered to pay to get it towed to my house the whole 180 miles away. Unfortunately the tow charge was more then he was gonna eat. He told me he would go a couple hundred, but the bill was $450.

So its been left at, he's having the car checked out by his mechanic and he's going to get back to me monday on whats wrong.

Is there any way of telling if this coolant leak is serious? (like a head gasket or intake gasket) or if its minor? (like a hose)


thanks
jeff

 

A leak that increases with rpm is definetely a coolant leak and it could have many causes. Failed gasket, cracked head, cracked block, leaking radiator hose. If his mechanic is going to look at it, then why not just wait to hear what he says?

 

yeh JFB, I fully intend to wait and hear what his mechanic has to say, I was just trying to get as much feedback and information into this to determine if he is telling the truth or covering a more serious problem up. Last thing I want is to hear: oh yeh the mechanic found it....was just a cracked hose....and then me go back and on my way home have the thing over heat cause it is actually a head gasket or like you said, cracked block, etc.

thanks for your feedback, every bit helps, the more information I know, the wiser a decision I can make on it.

jeff

 

GM has at least one Bulletin on the V6 intake gaskets, though most suck oil. Sounds like yours may be leaking at either the front or the rear of the intake which is sealed with silicon. Might also be the waterpump or the return pipe seal. Cleaning it up and then pressurizing the system with a tester should pinpoint it. The engine is fairly easy to work on, but it helps to have a shop manual or an Alldata subscription - www.alldata.com - if you're doing the intake. There are different size bolts and torque values for each and the torque values are critical if you don't want to do it again (for at least another 25 to 35k because that seems to be about all the mileage the intake gaskets on these motors last).

 

You mentioned, "the dealer sounded like he just wanted to get it off his lot". Is this the dealer you left it at for repair or the dealer you are buying it from? If it's the seller, then I would be real suspicious that he would only perform a "temp repair" just to get you to take ownership, unless he is giving you a rock bottom price. His anxiousness would raise the red flag for me.