Not square body - Buick/GM 3800 V6 leaking coolant

[AJMBLAZER]

...but it's not the head gaskets. Coming from the passenger side under the engine. A little Googling found some kind of plastic elbow that likes to go bad.

Anyone ever dealt with this? Supposed to be common on vehicles with the 3800 and not just Buicks.

Oh, it's my fiancee's 93 year old Grandmother's 2003 Le Saber.

 

[brans87]

very common and dealer will have it in stock! Not to bad to due but takes little time just relax while doing and it will go smoothly. oh part is cheap to from dealer!

 

[AJMBLAZER]

I read there's an aftermarket metal tube. Is that better?

 

[Stomper]

I read there's an aftermarket metal tube. Is that better?

yes, common, even non dealer will more than likely have one on hand. yes get the steel one, much better.

 

[brans87]

never seen steel one so can't say besides steel is better then plastic.

 

[AJMBLAZER]

Cool. Thanks guys.

 

[Blue85]

There are 2 coolant elbows on the 99+ and only 1 on the earlier ones ('03 will still be series II). Either way, the kit you want is the 47065HP from Dorman.

They are aluminum - I've never seen any steel ones. Any site selling 3800 stuff will have them. I found a set at Autozone, although I don't see them on their website. I do have a small pile of used plastic ones if you wanted to take your chances. They are OK for a while (they usually make 100,000 miles anyway) but prone to breaking whenever you take things apart. For the $12 or whatever they are at a retail store, the aluminum are well worth it. I have heard of the pre-installed O-rings leaking and a better O-ring from AC Delco, but I've never had leaks from either of the sets I've installed. Just be sure you get all of the old plastic and O-ring out first and give the holes a clean-up before installing the new elbows.

http://www.amazon.com/Dorman-47065HP-Elbow-Type-Heater/dp/B00A1A6PT4/ref=au_as_r?ie=UTF8&Make=Buick%7C45&Model=Park%20Avenue%7C390&Year=2003%7C2003&carId=1&n=15684181&newCar=1&s=automotive&vehicleType=automotive

EDIT: Looks like O'Reilly and Autozone have it - probably everybody. RockAuto is only $6.67.

 

[AJMBLAZER]

I saw that picture somewhere.

How much of a PITA is it to get to the lower one? I think that's the leaky one on the car.

 

[Blue85]

You will see that the heater hoses are basically routed through the rear tensioner housing, with the elbows connecting that housing to the intake. You'll need to remove that housing, which pulls the elbows straight out of the intake (it's on studs sticking out of the head). I don't know if this is the exact setup on that car, but it's something like this:

Just remove the belt and whatever accessories are in the way. There's a petcock on the rad to drain it.