Replacing the coolant elbow and belt tensioner wheel on a 1996 Buick Lesabre Affiliate Links Coolant Elbows - amzn.to/2CdG4Gn Amazon Store www.amazon.com...
Had this happen today in downtown Pittsburgh in my grandfather's 2006 Lacrosse. I'm just glad it happened while I was driving and not him. At least it's an easy fix. Nice video.
bah53 .. You saved me some money today. ('04 Lesabre 109k) Old mechanic moved to FL last year ("Pay me $100 month all cash) so I've gone to Firestone a couple of times.. Today they called me and wanted $461 for the job. I remembered this vid and told them to put aluminum ones in and that was it.. Got out for $178.. I was never a mechanic, but a cook so I paid it.. They left $283 on the table to book the hour fix.. Thanks! I may owe you a decent coffee cup or something.. :)
Not sure how they did it, but I do know they can play with numbers. Another time when they had the car for another $1400. day, they called me and said, "We have to put tires on." I was already burning up the credit line on my Firestone card, and had Zero money. Bubble. The guy reworked the price of parts he was charging, found $400 magically and put 4 tires on. My kid was a parts guy for Tasca and looked the bill over, saying, "they took good care of you". I still miss regular $Cash mechanics. Here's your $100 and your six pack of Samuel Adams.Adam's.. see you next month. ✌️😄
Very helpful and informative. Perfect angle to view the work and an excellent use of fast forward. Thanks for using a camera stand and good lighting. I'm at 210k miles on my Buick Regal and the elbow just totally failed. Your video just saved me a bundle.
I had a friend of mine replace the intake on my '97 LeSabre several months ago. While he was working on it, we also replaced the coolant elbows. When he removed one of them, it literally disintegrated in his hands. We replaced them with the aftermarket metal elbows like the ones shows at the start of this video. The upper and lower intake and the elbows were all on the verge of a total failure after 17 years and about 63,000 miles. I always recommend everyone have this work done on any 3800 Series II cars they have. Eventually, they all have these parts fail. It happened twice on a '99 LeSabre I used to own, and I wasn't going to let it happen to this one.
Great vid. I'm currently in process of replacing the upper IM assembly and the lower IM gaskets. I got the intake(s) off an hour ago only to discover that there was no antifreeze in the intake and upon removing the lower IM that my 3800 had already had the job done before I got the car at 97,500 miles in Aug '12. They used the good Felpro metal lower gaskets. Then I started to worry about head gaskets and then remembered the elbow issue. I ordered the metal elbows with my other stuff last week so I do have them. I'm praying that it's just the elbows leaking around their o-rings. Of course I'm going to install the new parts that I bought anyway. Peace of mind for myself :)
FYI, just did this exact repair yesterday. I took a piece of wire clothes hanger bent into a very small J-hook (small enough to get through the hole but still catch the broken piece), poked it into the hole through the broken piece (carefully!), and pushed it in deep to make sure the broken piece would fall and stay on the hanger (rather than falling into the coolant passages). Then I just pushed the broken piece into the hole to get it loose. It fell onto the hanger, and I pulled it out. Very easy.
Be VERY careful not to score the inside of the hole with a sharp edge of a tool or coat hangar. It's only aluminum, and if you score it even the slightest amount, it will leak.
Then you're EXTREMELY lucky.... I had them leak on my 2009 Buick Lacrosse @ 68,000 miles. VERY common failure point on these 3800's since the early 90s
Thankyou for this, i did it in 2hrs! it wouldve been faster but i was stuck dealing with the pieces that broke off inside lol. I'm lucky, i drove the car on an 18hr trip and noticed it would only leak coolant during heavy throttle so i babied it til i could get it repaired. my elbow was completely split! i replaced them both with the aluminum ones
As a mechanic myself why in the world would you EVER put plastic ones back in? Its $3 more for the aluminum ones. I flat out refuse these jobs if the customer doesn't use the aluminum ones.
I cringed when he said that the end of the plastic elbow had broken off inside and was lost forever! I'll be doing this job come springtime and I'll probably get the whole tensioner kit with the aluminum elbows...
I would go with aluminum ones even if it meant $30 more. You have to wonder though - did it REALLY save GM that much money by going with cheap plastic ones? Talk about penny pinching.
Believe it or not the plastic ones have a better o-ring then the metal ones. The metal ones have a smaller o-ring which have a tendency to leak after 5 to 10 thousand miles. They did not make the O-rings thicker on the metal ones but they're a little bit thicker on the plastic one. You might just take the O-rings off the plastic ones and put them on the metal ones and have a better seal because I guarantee you some of these cars will still leak even after their replace so it's better to put it like a bunch of gunk around the O-rings to kind of give it a double seal my car leaks after 6,000 miles after I put the new metal ones and realize that the O-rings are not as thick as the old ones
@@oneeyedrone4293 he is correct. If someone purchased the Dorman brand aluminum elbows, the o-rings are trash. I recently did this upgrade. Since my local dealer did not have the genuine GM/ACDelco o-rings in stock, I purchased the plastic elbows and stole those o-rings and put them on the new aluminum ones. Hopefully... problem solved.
Changing mine today for the first time. Got 160,000 miles and 6 years of ownership so far. Got Aluminum ones to put back in. The front elbow broke off and fell back into the intake and can’t see it at all now. Hoping no damage will incur.
@@joshua1auhsoj Read all my comments, you can also try to use a vacuum / shopvac / vac hose, hold it to the opening and it might help sucking that piece closer to the hole or at least in sight.
Remove the thermostat, put the housing back on, and then flush the rad with a garden hose.... The broken piece will probably flow out with the water that comes out
I had to replace mine (along with the radiator because of them leaking air into the system and frying the plastic tanks on the rad!) and also got a piece of the old plastic pipe stuck inside the engine. My mechanic was right there working on my dad's RV at the same time and came over and took a look and said not to worry because it would probably just stay in that passage and not be able to block anything. He was right as there seems to have been no problems caused by this so far. I also put in a thermostat that opens slightly cooler than stock yet the temperature on the dash seems to hover about where it should. Might be a good idea for this engine. Engine has been running pretty good after replacing basically the whole external cooling system. I did have one episode several weeks back where the check engine light came on intermittently for a few days but I haven't seen it again in at least 2 or 3 weeks. Bad tank of gas?!
I purchased a serpentine belt removal tool which I also used as a breaker bar for those bolts. The tool is about 24 inches in length much longer then a regular breaker bar. It works better then a breaker bar as gives you more torque to remove
Use dorman elbows but use gm o rings only if you don’t want them to leak. Grease on o rings works well. My 3800 sc2 is pushing 170k miles with metal elbows.
I've had luck using the o-rings included with the elbows, BUT, I cleaned up the inside of the holes VERY well, and lubed the o-rings before installing them. Hasn't leaked since, and has been several years.
I had one to blow out on the interstate about 3yrs ago. It ended up ruining my motor and I had to buy another one. A couple of days ago I noticed I started losing antifreeze and it's one of those plastic elbows. No more plastic elbows for me. Looks like I'll be spending my Sunday afternoon fixing my car :/
My 2009 Lacrosse started leaking coolant ONLY when the outside temperature went below 30°, AND the car ONLY leaked when the engine was shut off and cool. It would leave an ocean of coolant under it the size of the car. But, fill it up with coolant and drive it, and it would NOT leak a drop. If the outside temp was above 30°, it would NOT leak a drop... it was FRUSTRATING to find this leak. 😤 I finally found it, and it WAS the lower coolant elbow... replaced both elbows with the aluminium Dorman ones, and no issues since. Be SURE to clean up the holes where the elbows go into very well before you try to install the new elbows, or it WILL leak again in the very near future. If the aluminum in the hole is dirty or pitted, use a very fine sandpaper cartridge or small wire brush to clean it up first. If the hole is severely pitted, you may want to use some Permatex Right Stuff around the O-Rings to help them seal. If not using Permatex, DO NOT forget to LUBE up the O-Rings before you install the elbows, or you WILL end up pinching or tearing the new O-Ring and it will leak again. Good luck....
I have the opportunity of buying a super charged bonneville, it was leaking water and the whole elbow blew off, this was exactly what I had to change, I put the aluminum ones in
I have a '95 Buick Riviera supercharged and I'll be doing the same job. I'll probably go ahead and get the whole tensioner that comes with the aluminum elbows...
@@sickmike2010 😮 Tell us how much fun it was when your finished. I probably won't be doing mine until spring or whenever it starts warming up. One of my belts is squealing like a stuck pig right now. Gonna get a couple of those quiet belts by Continental from Rock Auto. They look like those gator belts with the cross pattern ribs...
@@bodeine454 I finished I had to suit up but it wasn't that bad it's hard to find our car on RUclips but it wasn't that bad then u think it is but overall it was fun hell of a experience
I really appreciate this video. I'm in the process of replacing the elbow. I have the Tensioner Assembly off the car because it was easer to clean out the old elbow, it seemed to be really stuck in there. Just to get this far it tookme about 20 mins. I've watched 3 or 4 videos and feeling lake an expert. Ha Ha. Again thank you for a great Video.
Is it necessary to drain all of the coolant? I’m putting a new tensioner on my 96 LeSabre and I’m going to need new o rings for the heater hoses that go into the tensioner. Do you know where I can get new ones? Thanks.
Thank you so much for this video. The only thing I have to say is that you were making me super anxious slamming on those steel bolts ran into an aluminum block.
I had a 2002 monte carlo ss coolant elbow that exploded lol. it took us like 3 hours and losing a wrench (still haven’t found it) just to get to the elbow and then my pops comes back from the store with a plastic one saying the metal ones were $5 more dollars. smdh lol he must like learning the hard way, it took 3 hours because we don’t have a lot of automotive tools aside from crescent wrenches
I've actually had the metal ones leak around the 0-rings when a car is overheated. You can hear it with the key off. Sounds like a tea kettle starting to simmer on low heat. Be sure to check the o-rings (PVC and metal) before installation for cracks and deformities!
how in the world did you hook it? that damn plastic ring fell down in there and I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do about it? will I have to get a scope camera in there to find it?
@@dabneyoffermein595 Read my comment. I took an old metal coat hanger and bent one end to a small hook and kept sticking the hook end far enough back in the hole, moving it around different ways. It will come out, you gotta have patience with it and it does take awhile.
@@workharddieproud -- we hooked it !!!! thanks for your mentioning this , otherwise wouldn't have even tried. Had to be a long solid wire with a hook on it. It was WAY back in there. Used a mirror and a focus-flashlight, it wasn't easy and almost gave up 3 times, but that sucker is out !!!!! can't believe it came out through that hole.. everything back together and running great!!!!
what if a small piece of the coolant elbow (tensioner pulley elbows) dropped into the lower intake manifold. I used a hook tool to get the o-ring out, but a small plastic broken part of the elbow dropped down in on me (black plastic ring that was beyond the o-ring, so very small ring but.......? Should I worry about that or would it not cause any problems. Thanks!!
bah53, Are the two plastic elbow just used for the coolant channel of the heater core. What if you didn't need to operate the heater core; could you just leave the two hoses of the heater core(by firewall near alternator) connected together and have the engine coolant system run normally?
I'm doing this job right now. The piece that the alternator mounts on is being annoying going back. The threads won't match up. Any recommendations on how to get them to match up easier?
Good video. I was wondering if you have ever put the elbow into the engine first. I put in in to far and can't get it out to try it the way you did, lol. Any info would help thanks
jab1347 I don't think I've ever done that. You might be able to gently pry it out with a screwdriver or pry bar. It could break but if it does at least its fairly cheap to get another one.
beware that even the aluminum elbows will fail in about two years. They are made in China and have inferior o-rings. if you can find higher grade o-rings then it will be the last time you have to do this repair. You are a good mechanic, but not a great one. That engine bay is a mess. If you are careful you wont leave any broken bits inside. The general sequence of the repair is ok, but overall this needs editing. You didn't show many important steps.
I was wondering has that broken piece caused any problems yet? It happened to my car and I'm worried about it causing damage to the engine or something else.
I’m in the same boat, had to replace mine today and that broke plastic piece fell into the intake. I did use a shop vac to keep it sucked to the front of the hole but never could grab it with anything. Now it fell farther back and I can’t see it. Worried about that now.
You can use the black plastic elbows but make sure you buy them at the dealership because they have the better o-rings and a little bit thicker and they're made better and they won't deteriorate or dry out for many years I got 12 years out of mind before the old plastic ones broke. I replaced them with aluminum ones and I only got a year out of it and then I replaced with aluminum again and I got one more year so I did it twice with aluminum. The o-rings on the aluminum ones are the cheap plastic ones are no good they dissolve very quickly with the heat. So make sure you buy GM AC Delco plastic ones with the better o-rings the last a lot longer. And even if you get 8 to 12 years out of a black plastic AC Delco brand they're great even though they're made out of plastic they'll still last for many years if it's done correctly
It seems like plastic coolant elbows regularly fail in most vehicles. I would have tried both vacuum and and compressed air to try and pull the broken bit out, but it might have been ineffective and a waste of time. Is that elbow upstream of the water pump or the radiator?
The elbow that I replaced is for the inlet to the heater core. That piece of plastic left in the intake is too big to get through the new elbow to the heater core so it'll probably just float around the intake unless it finds its way down into the coolant passages in the block.
chad Rickman it could be a variety of issues then. My main question is how long has it been doing it? And if it was just after you changed the elbow? Either way it may be slipping or cracked or not enough tension. My advice is take it off and reassemble it. Make sure u read the diagram correctly just in case u did not put it on correctly.
i had this problem dont buy the black plastic ones i found a parts place that sold aluminum elbows 2 dollars cheaper plastic ones cant handle heat and rupture i replaced it with cheap black plastic tubes lasted a year than found the metal ones had no problems since
1998olds intrique 3800motor. The lower is not replacable, Had to replace complete unit. I was thinking the lower was plastic, so was not careful removing unit. This motor only has one replacable elbow. My mistake. Hope this helps someone else. Thanks for reply.
@@stonertraphouse4475 if you lose all your coolant it certainly will. These elbow leaks are typically (not always) slow leaks. Take a peak under your car everyday. Even if you don't suspect a leak.
@@chadpugh1490 Orange o-rings are made out of silicone which is not the best to stand up to oil. Much better is neoprene or buna. I've been getting my fix for decent and oversized o-rings from Oringsandmore eBay store.
+Teddy Thomas Not a tough job. I'm by no means a mechanic and replaced both of these (WITH METAL ONES!) on my car myself. I also did the rad around the same time which was no fun but just a matter of removing and replacing. This job along with the new transmission fluid and filter done before putting it back on the road should make it a reliable car for a while now.
it could be you upper intake manifold gasket an the manifold itself if you get that done u might as well replace the lower intake manifold gaskets gm made the upper manifold out of plastic and they like to warp and leak
replace my 98's elbow with the metal version and its now leaking again. what a pain in the neck these buicks are. im guessing the plastic elbow fails/breaks where the o-ring is recessed into the elbow and the PLASTIC is thinnest. plastic freaking cars.
bullshit the plastic ones have been known to break minutes after changing them Dorman and GM it was a piss poor design and whomever did design it needs to be kicked in the nuts..
Had this happen today in downtown Pittsburgh in my grandfather's 2006 Lacrosse. I'm just glad it happened while I was driving and not him. At least it's an easy fix. Nice video.
bah53 .. You saved me some money today. ('04 Lesabre 109k) Old mechanic moved to FL last year ("Pay me $100 month all cash) so I've gone to Firestone a couple of times.. Today they called me and wanted $461 for the job. I remembered this vid and told them to put aluminum ones in and that was it.. Got out for $178.. I was never a mechanic, but a cook so I paid it.. They left $283 on the table to book the hour fix.. Thanks! I may owe you a decent coffee cup or something.. :)
How in the HELL did they drop from $461 to $178 because you asked for aluminum ones??
That doesn't even make any sense... 🤔🤨
Not sure how they did it, but I do know they can play with numbers.
Another time when they had the car for another $1400. day, they called me and said, "We have to put tires on." I was already burning up the credit line on my Firestone card, and had Zero money. Bubble.
The guy reworked the price of parts he was charging, found $400 magically and put 4 tires on.
My kid was a parts guy for Tasca and looked the bill over, saying, "they took good care of you".
I still miss regular $Cash mechanics.
Here's your $100 and your six pack of Samuel Adams.Adam's.. see you next month. ✌️😄
Very helpful and informative. Perfect angle to view the work and an excellent use of fast forward. Thanks for using a camera stand and good lighting. I'm at 210k miles on my Buick Regal and the elbow just totally failed. Your video just saved me a bundle.
I realize I am pretty off topic but do anybody know a good website to watch newly released movies online?
@Roger Forest Flixportal
@Chad Samson Thank you, I signed up and it seems to work :) I really appreciate it !
@Roger Forest You are welcome =)
Thank you very much!! Mine just blew off coming home from work, and will tackle it tomorrow, this is a lifesaver!!
I had a friend of mine replace the intake on my '97 LeSabre several months ago. While he was working on it, we also replaced the coolant elbows. When he removed one of them, it literally disintegrated in his hands. We replaced them with the aftermarket metal elbows like the ones shows at the start of this video. The upper and lower intake and the elbows were all on the verge of a total failure after 17 years and about 63,000 miles.
I always recommend everyone have this work done on any 3800 Series II cars they have. Eventually, they all have these parts fail. It happened twice on a '99 LeSabre I used to own, and I wasn't going to let it happen to this one.
Your saying that the upper and lower intake manifolds were on the verge of failure or the gaskets?
Both are huge failure points on these engines..
Great vid. I'm currently in process of replacing the upper IM assembly and the lower IM gaskets. I got the intake(s) off an hour ago only to discover that there was no antifreeze in the intake and upon removing the lower IM that my 3800 had already had the job done before I got the car at 97,500 miles in Aug '12. They used the good Felpro metal lower gaskets. Then I started to worry about head gaskets and then remembered the elbow issue. I ordered the metal elbows with my other stuff last week so I do have them. I'm praying that it's just the elbows leaking around their o-rings. Of course I'm going to install the new parts that I bought anyway. Peace of mind for myself :)
Got to the wiggle part then was concerned I was about to break something. Thanks for the video, now I can commence wiggling.
+The Ball NOOOO!
The aluminum part snapped, so now I have to replace the tensioner assembly and water pump!
ARRRGH!
+The Ball *Yosemite Sam noises*
FYI, just did this exact repair yesterday. I took a piece of wire clothes hanger bent into a very small J-hook (small enough to get through the hole but still catch the broken piece), poked it into the hole through the broken piece (carefully!), and pushed it in deep to make sure the broken piece would fall and stay on the hanger (rather than falling into the coolant passages). Then I just pushed the broken piece into the hole to get it loose. It fell onto the hanger, and I pulled it out. Very easy.
saw another where a toggle bolt and washer was used as a "puller" for the old elbow.
I used a paint can opener
Be VERY careful not to score the inside of the hole with a sharp edge of a tool or coat hangar. It's only aluminum, and if you score it even the slightest amount, it will leak.
Surprisingly I've never had one go bad, and I own a half dozen of them currently, more commonly the water pump tends to go out, Liked
Then you're EXTREMELY lucky.... I had them leak on my 2009 Buick Lacrosse @ 68,000 miles.
VERY common failure point on these 3800's since the early 90s
Thankyou for this, i did it in 2hrs! it wouldve been faster but i was stuck dealing with the pieces that broke off inside lol. I'm lucky, i drove the car on an 18hr trip and noticed it would only leak coolant during heavy throttle so i babied it til i could get it repaired. my elbow was completely split! i replaced them both with the aluminum ones
As a mechanic myself why in the world would you EVER put plastic ones back in? Its $3 more for the aluminum ones. I flat out refuse these jobs if the customer doesn't use the aluminum ones.
I cringed when he said that the end of the plastic elbow had broken off inside and was lost forever!
I'll be doing this job come springtime and I'll probably get the whole tensioner kit with the aluminum elbows...
I would go with aluminum ones even if it meant $30 more.
You have to wonder though - did it REALLY save GM that much money by going with cheap plastic ones? Talk about penny pinching.
Believe it or not the plastic ones have a better o-ring then the metal ones. The metal ones have a smaller o-ring which have a tendency to leak after 5 to 10 thousand miles. They did not make the O-rings thicker on the metal ones but they're a little bit thicker on the plastic one. You might just take the O-rings off the plastic ones and put them on the metal ones and have a better seal because I guarantee you some of these cars will still leak even after their replace so it's better to put it like a bunch of gunk around the O-rings to kind of give it a double seal my car leaks after 6,000 miles after I put the new metal ones and realize that the O-rings are not as thick as the old ones
@@chaseww you’re joking right ? Gm o rings are the proper size. 175k miles on aluminum ones with genuine o rings. Worth the extra cost.
@@oneeyedrone4293 he is correct. If someone purchased the Dorman brand aluminum elbows, the o-rings are trash. I recently did this upgrade. Since my local dealer did not have the genuine GM/ACDelco o-rings in stock, I purchased the plastic elbows and stole those o-rings and put them on the new aluminum ones. Hopefully... problem solved.
Thanks for this. I am giving new life to my 3800, and this is next on my to do list.
Thank you!! Made this fix so much easier to understand. Only took me 25 minutes of so to get it done.
Changing mine today for the first time. Got 160,000 miles and 6 years of ownership so far. Got Aluminum ones to put back in. The front elbow broke off and fell back into the intake and can’t see it at all now. Hoping no damage will incur.
What ended up happening? A piece of my hose broke off and fell in also. I can’t find it now.
@@joshua1auhsoj Read all my comments, you can also try to use a vacuum / shopvac / vac hose, hold it to the opening and it might help sucking that piece closer to the hole or at least in sight.
Remove the thermostat, put the housing back on, and then flush the rad with a garden hose....
The broken piece will probably flow out with the water that comes out
I had to replace mine (along with the radiator because of them leaking air into the system and frying the plastic tanks on the rad!) and also got a piece of the old plastic pipe stuck inside the engine. My mechanic was right there working on my dad's RV at the same time and came over and took a look and said not to worry because it would probably just stay in that passage and not be able to block anything. He was right as there seems to have been no problems caused by this so far. I also put in a thermostat that opens slightly cooler than stock yet the temperature on the dash seems to hover about where it should. Might be a good idea for this engine. Engine has been running pretty good after replacing basically the whole external cooling system. I did have one episode several weeks back where the check engine light came on intermittently for a few days but I haven't seen it again in at least 2 or 3 weeks. Bad tank of gas?!
Scan it and find out
@@davelowetsThat was 7 years ago. That car is LONG gone! I now have an even older car with a Series I 3800.. none of these bullshit problems.
Good video showed me all I need to know without wasting too much time thank you
I purchased a serpentine belt removal tool which I also used as a breaker bar for those bolts. The tool is about 24 inches in length much longer then a regular breaker bar. It works better then a breaker bar as gives you more torque to remove
Thank you my 97 bonneville is leaking from that same area. Seems to be a somewhat easy fix if all goes right.
1992 - 1994 LeSabres have a hose, but even that will need to be replaced due to bulging or bursting. Nice video!
thank you so much this happened to me yesterday, and with a little guidance from your video i was able to fix it..thank you so much.
I use a little grease around the new elbow o rings, you never know when you will be back to do something else, but coolant works as well.
Very wise....
Yes, you can easily pinch or tear the new o-rings if you don't lube them.
Use dorman elbows but use gm o rings only if you don’t want them to leak.
Grease on o rings works well.
My 3800 sc2 is pushing 170k miles with metal elbows.
I've had luck using the o-rings included with the elbows, BUT, I cleaned up the inside of the holes VERY well, and lubed the o-rings before installing them. Hasn't leaked since, and has been several years.
I had one to blow out on the interstate about 3yrs ago. It ended up ruining my motor and I had to buy another one. A couple of days ago I noticed I started losing antifreeze and it's one of those plastic elbows. No more plastic elbows for me. Looks like I'll be spending my Sunday afternoon fixing my car :/
I strongly recommend the stainless steel coolant elbows for the 3800 fans!
Stainless steel? Do they make them? Where do I find them?
They are the aluminum ones. I messed that up.
My 2009 Lacrosse started leaking coolant ONLY when the outside temperature went below 30°, AND the car ONLY leaked when the engine was shut off and cool. It would leave an ocean of coolant under it the size of the car. But, fill it up with coolant and drive it, and it would NOT leak a drop. If the outside temp was above 30°, it would NOT leak a drop... it was FRUSTRATING to find this leak. 😤
I finally found it, and it WAS the lower coolant elbow... replaced both elbows with the aluminium Dorman ones, and no issues since.
Be SURE to clean up the holes where the elbows go into very well before you try to install the new elbows, or it WILL leak again in the very near future. If the aluminum in the hole is dirty or pitted, use a very fine sandpaper cartridge or small wire brush to clean it up first. If the hole is severely pitted, you may want to use some Permatex Right Stuff around the O-Rings to help them seal. If not using Permatex, DO NOT forget to LUBE up the O-Rings before you install the elbows, or you WILL end up pinching or tearing the new O-Ring and it will leak again.
Good luck....
I have the opportunity of buying a super charged bonneville, it was leaking water and the whole elbow blew off, this was exactly what I had to change, I put the aluminum ones in
I have a '95 Buick Riviera supercharged and I'll be doing the same job. I'll probably go ahead and get the whole tensioner that comes with the aluminum elbows...
@@bodeine454 I have a 99 rivera and I'm doin mine now 🤦🏿♂️🤦🏿♂️🤦🏿♂️🤦🏿♂️
@@sickmike2010 😮
Tell us how much fun it was when your finished. I probably won't be doing mine until spring or whenever it starts warming up. One of my belts is squealing like a stuck pig right now. Gonna get a couple of those quiet belts by Continental from Rock Auto. They look like those gator belts with the cross pattern ribs...
@@bodeine454 I finished I had to suit up but it wasn't that bad it's hard to find our car on RUclips but it wasn't that bad then u think it is but overall it was fun hell of a experience
@@sickmike2010 I hear that! Yeah, my whole front end needs to be replaced practically. New bushings, sway bar links, cv axles and struts...
Good job.You make it look easy.
M
It IS easy....
In case anyone is wondering, this costs $440 at the local Firestone.
Cost me less than $50 with a new belt
Ugh gonna have to do this to my 06 Grand Prix! Nit looking forward to it but this video sure does help.
It's not a hard job. Can be done in less than an hour with common hand tools
I really appreciate this video. I'm in the process of replacing the elbow. I have the Tensioner Assembly off the car because it was easer to clean out the old elbow, it seemed to be really stuck in there. Just to get this far it tookme about 20 mins. I've watched 3 or 4 videos and feeling lake an expert. Ha Ha. Again thank you for a great Video.
Is it necessary to drain all of the coolant? I’m putting a new tensioner on my 96 LeSabre and I’m going to need new o rings for the heater hoses that go into the tensioner. Do you know where I can get new ones? Thanks.
A little piece of the coolant elbow broke off and went into the engine. What should I do?
Thank you so much for this video. The only thing I have to say is that you were making me super anxious slamming on those steel bolts ran into an aluminum block.
Why did you put the plastic one versus the metal elbow back in?
I didn't see how you put the bottom 90 (metal on your car) back on...do you slide it on first and then slide the top one in place??
I had a 2002 monte carlo ss coolant elbow that exploded lol. it took us like 3 hours and losing a wrench (still haven’t found it) just to get to the elbow and then my pops comes back from the store with a plastic one saying the metal ones were $5 more dollars. smdh lol he must like learning the hard way, it took 3 hours because we don’t have a lot of automotive tools aside from crescent wrenches
Wow... I had mine done in about 40 minutes
I've actually had the metal ones leak around the 0-rings when a car is overheated. You can hear it with the key off. Sounds like a tea kettle starting to simmer on low heat. Be sure to check the o-rings (PVC and metal) before installation for cracks and deformities!
Clean the holes out well before you reinstall the new ones... if you don't, they will leak again
Awesome! Thanks for the help, brother.
Just got the broke piece out. Used a metal coat hanger and kept trying to hook it blindly. Got it out and came right through the hole.
how in the world did you hook it? that damn plastic ring fell down in there and I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do about it? will I have to get a scope camera in there to find it?
@@dabneyoffermein595 Read my comment. I took an old metal coat hanger and bent one end to a small hook and kept sticking the hook end far enough back in the hole, moving it around different ways. It will come out, you gotta have patience with it and it does take awhile.
@@workharddieproud -- we hooked it !!!! thanks for your mentioning this , otherwise wouldn't have even tried. Had to be a long solid wire with a hook on it. It was WAY back in there. Used a mirror and a focus-flashlight, it wasn't easy and almost gave up 3 times, but that sucker is out !!!!! can't believe it came out through that hole.. everything back together and running great!!!!
@@dabneyoffermein595 AWESOME !!! Glad you got it out and back together. I knew exactly how you felt. Anyway, you got it out !!
Thank you - video was very helpful.
Excellent video.
what if a small piece of the coolant elbow (tensioner pulley elbows) dropped into the lower intake manifold. I used a hook tool to get the o-ring out, but a small plastic broken part of the elbow dropped down in on me (black plastic ring that was beyond the o-ring, so very small ring but.......? Should I worry about that or would it not cause any problems. Thanks!!
bah53, Are the two plastic elbow just used for the coolant channel of the heater core. What if you didn't need to operate the heater core; could you just leave the two hoses of the heater core(by firewall near alternator) connected together and have the engine coolant system run normally?
Why did you put the plastic one in?
must remove lower elbow first people than it slides out than top one will wiggle out
Good advise. Thanks!
Is there a trick to get these in? I can’t get the one with the darker ring completely on with the tensioner
My first clue,was the big chunk gone from the top of the L. Massive hole actually.
You sped it up at the point im having an issue...How to take the belt off??
Thomas Davis just lay it to the side or wiggle it off.
lol
3:17 that's what she said
S B 😂😂😂
Does the coolant work with the tensioner? Could you test it to make sure its in spec?
I'm doing this job right now. The piece that the alternator mounts on is being annoying going back. The threads won't match up. Any recommendations on how to get them to match up easier?
You just probably fuck something up so you should stop being a mechanic and hire someone that knows what he is doing
Could you try to start the light blue lesabre?
Yeah, I think that one still has enough parts left to run.
Ok.
Good video. I was wondering if you have ever put the elbow into the engine first. I put in in to far and can't get it out to try it the way you did, lol. Any info would help thanks
jab1347 I don't think I've ever done that. You might be able to gently pry it out with a screwdriver or pry bar. It could break but if it does at least its fairly cheap to get another one.
bah53 I messed with it for about 45 mins. Let it sit for an hour then went at it again. Literally popped right out. Thanks for the speedy reply.
Always insert elbows into tensioner assy 1st. And always use the dorman aluminum elbows!!!
Wow I had broke mines off not know all I had to do was wiggle it out. Luckily i could get the metal peices out
I have a 2001 Buick LeSabre custom and it's dripping coolant from the oil filter what could be the issue to solve that problem?
Super helpful, thanks!
Have you ever discussed with people, the pitfalls of leaving that red GM coolant in the car?
JP Stone that stuff is horrible I changed mine to green coolent
it's not red it's orange and it's called dexcool
What are the pitfalls and what kind of coolant do you recommend and why?
I like dexcool👓
I love Chevy but dexcool is horrible flush that shit out the second you get a Chevy
bah53 thanks
beware that even the aluminum elbows will fail in about two years. They are made in China and have inferior o-rings. if you can find higher grade o-rings then it will be the last time you have to do this repair.
You are a good mechanic, but not a great one. That engine bay is a mess. If you are careful you wont leave any broken bits inside. The general sequence of the repair is ok, but overall this needs editing. You didn't show many important steps.
Thanks
I was wondering has that broken piece caused any problems yet? It happened to my car and I'm worried about it causing damage to the engine or something else.
Mike Fowler No, I haven't had any problems with it.
Ok cool thanks
I’m in the same boat, had to replace mine today and that broke plastic piece fell into the intake. I did use a shop vac to keep it sucked to the front of the hole but never could grab it with anything. Now it fell farther back and I can’t see it. Worried about that now.
You can use the black plastic elbows but make sure you buy them at the dealership because they have the better o-rings and a little bit thicker and they're made better and they won't deteriorate or dry out for many years I got 12 years out of mind before the old plastic ones broke. I replaced them with aluminum ones and I only got a year out of it and then I replaced with aluminum again and I got one more year so I did it twice with aluminum. The o-rings on the aluminum ones are the cheap plastic ones are no good they dissolve very quickly with the heat. So make sure you buy GM AC Delco plastic ones with the better o-rings the last a lot longer. And even if you get 8 to 12 years out of a black plastic AC Delco brand they're great even though they're made out of plastic they'll still last for many years if it's done correctly
Great🙄
have you had any problems with the piece of elbow that got lost inside the engine
+Fifty81 I haven't noticed any problems.
I just did mine and was messing with that aluminum elbow forever and it broke but my question is.. Can it be removed ? I'm pissed off
It seems like plastic coolant elbows regularly fail in most vehicles. I would have tried both vacuum and and compressed air to try and pull the broken bit out, but it might have been ineffective and a waste of time. Is that elbow upstream of the water pump or the radiator?
The elbow that I replaced is for the inlet to the heater core. That piece of plastic left in the intake is too big to get through the new elbow to the heater core so it'll probably just float around the intake unless it finds its way down into the coolant passages in the block.
bah53 do you need that Buick are you trying to sell the 3800 engine
what if a piece of the elbow falls into the lower intake manifold? I used a mirror to see if I could see if... and I can't see nothing.
After I replaced the elbow my belt makes a slight whine. Is it because I put the belt tension on backwards something else?
chad Rickman No. Coolant got on the belt. Did you drain all coolant b4 u changed the upper elbow?
Abigail Espinoza no, I didn't. how long will it squeak for? Can I clean it?
chad Rickman it could be a variety of issues then. My main question is how long has it been doing it? And if it was just after you changed the elbow? Either way it may be slipping or cracked or not enough tension. My advice is take it off and reassemble it. Make sure u read the diagram correctly just in case u did not put it on correctly.
chad Rickman if all else fails replace ur belt.
i had this problem dont buy the black plastic ones i found a parts place that sold aluminum elbows 2 dollars cheaper plastic ones cant handle heat and rupture i replaced it with cheap black plastic tubes lasted a year than found the metal ones had no problems since
Thx, man!
1998 3.8 Olds. Intrique. I removed the alt. plus assy. to replace elbows.the lower one broke but it is straight. no elbow. what gives?
raymond ely is it gm motor? Try and Google your specific car.
1998olds intrique 3800motor. The lower is not replacable, Had to replace complete unit. I was thinking the lower was plastic, so was not careful removing unit. This motor only has one replacable elbow. My mistake. Hope this helps someone else. Thanks for reply.
What store did you buy the elbows?
I don't remember where but you can google dorman 47065HP and find them
Okay thank you and great video
NAPA
How come you don't use gloves to help protect your hands when working one cars? I can see the damage over the first knuckle.
I've just never liked wearing gloves.
I can't get anything done while wearing gloves either. I wear them when I can perform the task at hand with them on. So not often.
Be cause he's not a puss lol. Just kidding.
nice video good details.
Even those metal elbows need to be replaced every year. Well, not the elbow, but the o- ring turns to mush.
If your elbow was leaking would it cause it to overheat and bury in the H
@@stonertraphouse4475 if you lose all your coolant it certainly will. These elbow leaks are typically (not always) slow leaks. Take a peak under your car everyday. Even if you don't suspect a leak.
I've never had to go back and redo the aluminum ones. Never seen the o ring fail after replacing.
@@repnatl it's always the orange one. Don't know why or what the difference is.
@@chadpugh1490 Orange o-rings are made out of silicone which is not the best to stand up to oil. Much better is neoprene or buna. I've been getting my fix for decent and oversized o-rings from Oringsandmore eBay store.
I admire your talent. How long did the job take?
+Teddy Thomas Half hour to an hour depending on the car.
+Teddy Thomas Not a tough job. I'm by no means a mechanic and replaced both of these (WITH METAL ONES!) on my car myself. I also did the rad around the same time which was no fun but just a matter of removing and replacing. This job along with the new transmission fluid and filter done before putting it back on the road should make it a reliable car for a while now.
I have a 1998 LeSabre I just inherited from an uncle that is leaking coolant. It's pooled up on top of the engine block. Could this be the issue?
Usually when these elbows start to leak they either completely fail and spray coolant everywhere or they just leak down the side of the block.
it could be you upper intake manifold gasket an the manifold itself if you get that done u might as well replace the lower intake manifold gaskets
gm made the upper manifold out of plastic and they like to warp and leak
Are you in the Ga area maybe you can come do my repair and I pay you
mika321sd No, I'm in MN.
😂 hopefully it won’t cause too much damage 😂
replace my 98's elbow with the metal version and its now leaking again. what a pain in the neck these buicks are. im guessing the plastic elbow fails/breaks where the o-ring is recessed into the elbow and the PLASTIC is thinnest. plastic freaking cars.
bullshit the plastic ones have been known to break minutes after changing them Dorman and GM it was a piss poor design and whomever did design it needs to be kicked in the nuts..