Coolant Leak / Mechanic
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 85
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From: Pittsburgh PA
Coolant Leak / Mechanic
Not a great ending to 2021! I went to move my 93 and saw coolant shooting out the side fender over the driver side tire. I opened the hood and see there is a good amount of coolant below the belts and on them (which i why coolant was shooting out the side…of the belts). I can’t see anywhere that it is actually leaking, all hoses i can reach are dry.
I do most of my own work but this may be one i would rather not do..and some other service may be due as i near 100k miles.
Looking for recommendations in the Pittsburgh area of good mechanics/dealerships to work on a C4?
I do most of my own work but this may be one i would rather not do..and some other service may be due as i near 100k miles.
Looking for recommendations in the Pittsburgh area of good mechanics/dealerships to work on a C4?
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 2,895
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From: New Port Richey FL
Before jumping out of your garage to someone else's find the leak, hoses even a waterpump are all doable if you're mechanical handy. So confirm the location so you can be an informed customer and not be surprised if you decide to farm out work
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 1,384
Likes: 339
From: Simi Valley CA
Autoparts stores usually loan tools for free. There's a radiator pressure leak tester that makes finding the leak on a cold engine not running down in the belts area easy to find. Its an expensive tool to buy, so if it is a free loaner great deal. That way you don't have a mechanic telling you its the rotator splint and will need to take your car for the next week.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 4,429
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From: Minneapolis Mn
If you're using something like the yellow-green Zerex or Prestone antifreeze, here's something you can try. I had a leak I found using a black light in total darkness. Turns out the stuff floresces in black light, so makes tracking down the leak much easier, especially when used in combination to pressuring the cooling system at the same time.
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From: Pittsburgh PA
I appreiate the feedback so far. I will have to try this...but what I can tell (and all that I can tell) is that it has to be right above the lower part of the serpentine belts, because after I clean everything and start the car the belt gets wet immediately, and I see nothing coming out anywhere..but there is an immediate puddle under the belt on the frame (not on the floor under the car). literally the belt is wet, and underneath but nowhere else.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 2,895
Likes: 592
From: New Port Richey FL
Clean it up and hit your local chain part store that has a loan a tool service. Pump in a few pounds without car running, if it's as bad as you claim you should be able to see and hear it. As someone had said if it does glow get the ac dye test black light while getting the coolant pressure tester.
99% of normal front of engine coolant related leaks on a LT1 or similar Siblings can be fixed by a handy novice with a 36 piece craftsman tool kit
99% of normal front of engine coolant related leaks on a LT1 or similar Siblings can be fixed by a handy novice with a 36 piece craftsman tool kit
Last edited by s carter; Dec 21, 2021 at 03:14 PM.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 85
Likes: 2
From: Pittsburgh PA
Not a great ending to 2021! I went to move my 93 and saw coolant shooting out the side fender over the driver side tire. I opened the hood and see there is a good amount of coolant below the belts and on them (which i why coolant was shooting out the side…of the belts). I can’t see anywhere that it is actually leaking, all hoses i can reach are dry.
I do most of my own work but this may be one i would rather not do..and some other service may be due as i near 100k miles.
Looking for recommendations in the Pittsburgh area of good mechanics/dealerships to work on a C4?
I do most of my own work but this may be one i would rather not do..and some other service may be due as i near 100k miles.
Looking for recommendations in the Pittsburgh area of good mechanics/dealerships to work on a C4?
Now that I have the started digging and researching, this should be something I can handle.
My plan is to replace the water pump and while there do the distributor. everything appears origainal, and I have had the car for 16 years now - and don't believe the original owner did any significant work. at almost 100k miles I feel it's best to do some preventative maintenance for items that have not failed, but may be due.
With that in mind, here are my plans...anything I'm missing? any recommendations for where to get these parts is appreciated as well as where not to buy
1. Water Pump - for obvious reason
2. Distributor - since I'm already this far in I don't want to have to do that later, and with the leak it could be getting damaged as well
3. Thermostat - does it make sense to replace? I know its an easy job but just figure while I'm there
4. Serpentine drive belt - just based on age and since I have to remove to do the work
5. hoses look good, but I may do those too
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 1,384
Likes: 339
From: Simi Valley CA
How are your timing cover seals? My 92 has 184k and leaks from the front oil pan/timing cover. Hard to tell which. The PO replaced the opti and waterpump but didn't bother with those. It may be a good time to pull your oil pan, timing cover and get all the leaks fixed if you have any. Most of these cars leak by now if they haven't had the seals changed.
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Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 4,202
Likes: 1,323
From: LeClaire Iowa
Please don't replace your factory opti with some piece of crap from China. Have the optidoctor rebuild it. At least sell your factory opti to the optidoctor I think he is paying $80.00 for them. Enough to buy an ebay Chinese opti. Dan
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Advanced
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 85
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From: Pittsburgh PA
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 85
Likes: 2
From: Pittsburgh PA
Great advise on the forum in general when searching for these parts.
Rock Auto has the AC Delco water pump for $108, amazon has same model number for $91. However, RA does not show where manufactured and Amazon says China.
Amazon so far is the only place I can find an AC Delco (remanufactured) opti for $344 - thoughts...would prefer to stay AC Delco but so far can't find new
AC Delco Thermostat Rock Auto $21 and AC Delco serpentine drive belt $34.
the words china and remanufactured don't make feel good
Rock Auto has the AC Delco water pump for $108, amazon has same model number for $91. However, RA does not show where manufactured and Amazon says China.
Amazon so far is the only place I can find an AC Delco (remanufactured) opti for $344 - thoughts...would prefer to stay AC Delco but so far can't find new
AC Delco Thermostat Rock Auto $21 and AC Delco serpentine drive belt $34.
the words china and remanufactured don't make feel good
Last edited by evolracing; Dec 23, 2021 at 10:43 AM.
