Coolant Leak repair (GM 3800)
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- Опубликовано: 8 фев 2025
- Step by step tutorial - this leak is often mistaken for intake manifold gasket leak ($800 job) - drive belt tensioner assembly elbows! ($25 repair ).
Same repair works on all GM models with 3800cc engine:
Buick Park Avenue, Buick LeSabre, Buick Regal, Buick Riviera;
Pontiac Grand Prix, Pontiac Boneville;
Oldsmobile
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Disclaimer:
Due to factors beyond the control of Make It Easy Mechanic, it cannot guarantee against improper use or unauthorized modifications of this information. Make It Easy Mechanic assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. Use this information at your own risk. Make It Easy Mechanic recommends safe practices when working on vehicles and/or with tools seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of Make It Easy Mechanic, no information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage, or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or from the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not Make It Easy Mechanic.
Keywords: GM 3800, Buick, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, Chevrolet, coolant elbows, 3.8L V6, coolant leak fix, 3800 upper intake manifold coolant leak, coolant leak fix cost, 3800 coolant elbow replacement cost.
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It's been said by a couple other guys already, but this is bar none the best auto repair video i've ever seen. Lighting, angles, explanation, etc. This is what all youtube repair videos should strive to be. Bravo.
Thank you! This was my issue, the elbows were $6, if you get rid of the HP and just use the numbers you will find the plastic ones instead of the aluminum. I also siphoned the coolant out of the radiator instead of getting under the car. Anyways thank you, the mechanic wanted $1,100 to fix this and I did it for $35 that's what the parts coolant & siphon kit
I love hearing stories like this,been working on my own stuff for decades also and i have saved thousands,not just cars but just about everything else,people always ask me "how do you know so much?" i always tell them, dont be afraid to dig in,its already broken, how much worse can it get?
Sir: I smiled all the way through your video. You speak slowly & distinctly with excellent articulation. The camera work was professional level, & your descriptions of the procedure was marvelous. I am 83 & do all my own work on my two vehicles, so I like to watch these types of videos. Some of them are God awful, including people who have NO idea what they are talking about. Several others are excellent like your own. Look at the comments you have received ! Great work Sir ! I look forward to others from you.
Cheers! Brian
You really are awesome and I can't thank you enough. I was able to watch your video without getting frustrated or confused. I am grateful, thanks again.
I have to say that this was one of the best and most informative videos I have seen. The video quality was excellent. You make it look so simple and easy. Thank you, it really is so hard to find good repair videos for this engine.
I also agree with a lot of the other comments. This video was perfectly executed and there was no BS and just want to say thank you for taking the time to do this video and hope you continue.
This video by far is the most detailed and the most insightful on how to make a repair I have watched. Great job.
This is one of the best car repair videos I have ever watched! Thank you for taking the time to video your repair job. Concise and great video shots.
I could not agree more to what you have said. These people are a gift from God. I do pray for their success to their channel.
been a while since i had to do a set of these. your video is by far the best on how to do it quickly and right the first time. thanks for the refresher and best wishes
What an excellent well done video !!! Thank you very much - The 3800 one of GM best ever engine - Naturally they discontinued it - typical GM
Definitely was informative
This is one of the best auto instructional videos I’ve had the pleasure of watching also … Very well presented with a great pace. You helped make this repair a breeze! … Thank you for the great video and keep up the good work!
Wow. Great video. Nice to see other reflect that
This help me out so much and save me money thanks from the bottom of my heart
Omg, if all car repair videos were done this well I could do ALL my own repairs! Thank you so much for sharing this! This was the best 12 minutes I've spent today! No wasted time, and easy to understand!
Honestly this is so well produced its insane.
Wish I'd seen this before spending 678, life long enemity with mechanic, and a few missed opportunities. Better late than never. Thank you.
Great video, you do a good job explaining the whole process for anyone doing this for the first time...
Incredibly detail video❤
Keep note: the O-rings on the Dorman elbows are known to leak after installation. I highly recommend replacing the O-rings with the OEM O-rings. The OEM ones are a lot thicker are durable compared to the cheap thin Dorman O-rings.
THANKS FOR SAVING ME THE HEADACHE
Or use high temp silicone 🤷
Thanks Brendon
@@elimaxwell5295 doing this job now. Should I use water pump/thermostat gasket sealer on the o rings for the elbows? Thx.
How do you get them?
More videos please! I enjoy your other videos too! So well explained and presented! Best I’ve ever seen, and I watch a lot! Maybe some more imaginative and simple ways to remove broken rusty bolts in cramped spaces?
Definitely the best made "How to" video I've ever watched. Except, it wasn't a 10min video. It was 12:17 min's. 😄👍
Oh no! Get your Adderall!
Tyvm i just did this step by step on my buick 3800...i also bled the air with a 10mm on top of the thermostat after re adding Dex Cool
How your Buick is still running well!
Very good sir thank you! Getting ready to replace the w-pump in my ‘04 Monte Carlo with the supercharger right in my way. Was curious about these elbows so I checked out your video. Thank You
Note. Just used AC Delco Professional metal elbows. Did it 3 times has had a leak from one. Thought it was o ring. Turns out new defective elbow. Had a small crack near the 90 degree bend. Hard to see but the drip in the middle instead of near the ports gave it away. It was the same size connector elbow going into intake. Had to use a mirror to see where drip was coming from.
GM cheaped out on these 5 cent plastic elbows on the 3800. They did it on purpose.
How gay of them
I wrote notes from.your video because you were specific about bolt size and all the detail, because of you, I did this without frustration and amazingly smooth.Coolant part might need more time, make a sure you bleed all air out and know how to do it,only misstep in this video.
Thorough explanation with no time wasted. Thank you.
Nice video which might save me from replacing the lower intake gasket. Doing this first.
Thank you, this video saved me a few hundred bucks being able to do it myself.
Great video!!! I just bought a 01ss Monte and this is my first of many repairs!! Outstanding video sir!!
Best video on this
Great video!. Excellent job of walking us through this repair.
Thanks, I have been doing almost all of my vehicle repairs myself and have made videos for some of them. Good job!
Thank you for this very informative and straight to the point video! Excellent!!!
Very nice video..thank you very much I was told a few times that I had to remove the intake manifold and that it was a big job..you saved me gobs of money..awesome video.thanks again.
This helps a lot that is good for people like me.
Thank you! This was an easy fix for less than $15 for genuine AC Delco parts
Plastic?
@@jonmo2694 Now about $20 online for the AC Delco 91051-19 & 91051-20 metal elbows. Add in some $ for coolant and it's still a pretty cheap fix.
Very good detailed video with all the information and tips we need and not too long.
I would like to see more videos like this when you can, you do them very well.
Use caution when using two wrenches to remove tension since they can slip apart and pinch the heck out if you. I prefer breaker bar or long handle wrench, but will only use two wrench method on non-tension bolts.
Very detailed video, great job.
Excellent video great job easy to follow and very thorough. Other video makers take note this is how you make a video.
thank you so much, so much detail , awesome video, keep up the great videos , they really do help us!!
Thank you for this video, I completed the repair today, DIY
Fantastic job!
WOW you just saved me hundreds of dollars THANK YOU VERY MUCH
u sir, have just saved my bacon... & u have a new subscriber, thanx & god bless dude!
Great video! Very informative and explained so well! I think my car has this leak too. I see it from that area. Thought it was my water pump, but no noticeable coolant loss or other symptoms except for this slow wet leaky area behind and above the water pump. Thanks!
Make sure you do not lay anything on that MAP sensor. If you damage it -your car will cut off and it will be very hard to diagnose. The code will come back MAF sensor oppose to MAP sensor and your car will shut off. Very easy to break and very hard to diagnose.
Nicely done!
thank you for sharing this video
Just did one the other day for my friend, to l d him to get me a new water pump while I'm in there,and new belt cars a 01 with 200k on it, never been touched.
Thank God I found this video im having the same problem. My question is was your tension pully assembly shaking while the car was running I just need to know if I have to replace the whole thing or just the elbows
Tensioner pulley will always have some wiggle as it tightens the belt. Its job is to take out slack. If it's clacking or bottoming out in its range of motion it needs replaced or the belt is stretched or the incorrect size.
Was the metal assembly that bolts to the block wiggling though? That would probably just be loose bolts?
Really well done. Thanks for your help.
Great job, BEST VIDEO ON THIS REPAIR !!!!!A++++. I dont understand the 16 thumbs down, But i guess you cant satisfy everyone...
Awesome video, great job. Subscribed.
Great step by step video
Great video keep up the amazing work
Very informative video... Thank you so much.
Hmm ... I'm having a very similar leak and it's dripping from the passenger side EXACTLY where you showed under the car. A mechanic told me it was a blown head gasket, but now I'm not so sure.
I replaced the black ones 2 yrs ago and it didn't last. Replaced with the aluminum ones.
Thank you
Thanks a lot!
These elbows always go , replaced them with metal ones.
Im getting silicone grease but for future instances can somebody tell me if White Lithium Grease would work for this application? I already had some but wasnt sure.
Well done. I just subscribed
Don't forget the last step bleed your cooling system to remove air
Great video, thank you
Thank u sir 💪🏽
Great job thank you
Great video! You just saved me a ton of $$$.
Very good video Thanks
Great video thanks
How do you know if the auto repair shop replaces the elbows, clean and scrap what is required for the repair.?
Can't afford to take my car to the shop. 2002 Chevy Impala. Thought I fix the overheating problem. Changed water pump, thermostat and flushed, new coolant and it is still running hot. No coolant , no leaks, but still overheating. Squeaking noise coming from belts. Battery light came on, belt came off. Don't know what to check first. Help please
@@thomasaroberts5218 If the belt snaps or comes off one of the belt-driven pulleys has probably siezed - like an AC compressor clutch locking up. Or the belt was old and worn or the belt tensioner was worn and made the belt too loose.
The battery light is related to belt failure - the alternator is belt-driven so if the belt isn't moving your alternator won't be charging the battery.
Followed this video step by step with the same exact elbow hoses and I can’t get the 3 bolt holes to line back up for the belt tensioner to bolt it back on. Any advice on how to line it up. I’ve cleaned all the broken plastic out and put the metal hoses in and seems like the bolt holes are less then a quarter inch off on each hole. It’s like the elbows are way to long. Any help is appreciated. I know it’s hard to help without seeing the physical problem.
The elbows don't have a set position to fit in. They can go deeper in or out, so I would try to push them a little further into the tensioner, or pull them a little bit out - to help with overall bolt alignment. Obviously make sure to put some extra sil-glyde on the O-rings, to not damage the o-rings. I hope this helps.
Great video! I think I can do it. My question is this. I try to look at the elbows but I do not see the leaks on it but I can see the drip on a muffler. Does that mean that the antifreeze is leaking by the elbows?
Thanks, I think I mite have this problem.
Do you have to drain the coolant to replace the two elbows?
You don't have to, but you're going to lose some coolant when you remove the old elbows. And if you don't drain the system first, it can get pretty messy.
I added 2 gallons of coolant before realizing it was leaking. Ive been between homes alot so there was no puddle or evidence of a leak, thought it was just low until I tested and surely enough puddle after revving it. Runs perfect just keep losing coolant. If i have to buy any kore coolant this week ill kms😂. Hope this fixes it
Could this leak be evident only under pressure? I have 03 Buick lesabre and it drains the overflow. No evident leaks while idling and no puddles. Or do you think intake gasket? Great detailed video!
How can I tell how old and worn my coolant elbow's are? (my surge coolant reservoir tank is completely empty after only 45 miles, and every 45 miles) so what ever my problem is,
it's causing that much coolant to almost evaporate:
P.S. I do have a 3800 engine , but mine is a 2007 3800 V6 Series 3 engine, from my 2007 Buick Lucerne CXL V 6:
I did this to my Buick since I had to replace my alternator. Killed 2 birds with one stone.
Will cause loose oil also
pretty good there sir...thums up
Great video, it was just as you described. Thanks!
What if it’s a leak near the driver side?
What about white smoke,,? With oil still clean and coolant still at top level, no loss.. I just changed the oil and trannny fluid and ran fine for a week and then all of sudden white smoke.. and car hesitating!!!!!
White smoke out of the tail pipe? That means water is getting in the combustion chamber. Usually either your head gasket or your intake manifold gasket is leaking, keep an eye on your coolant level
Maybe you can help me I have a 2002 Chevy Suburban 5.3 I took the lifters apart and now I don't know how to set them back can you help me please. Ernie
I need help plz (anybody even tho I'm asking OP). So I have this identical vehicle but it's the 3400 so I don't have those elbows as far as I know. My car is leaking coolant from that same area tho. Leaking out the bottom from something down in the area below the alternator. Any thoughts on what your first guess would be? I don't know if it makes a difference but it first happened when I shut the car off. I got out and it was leaking pretty badly. I let it cool down, filled it back up, and drove home. It didnt get hot and when I shut it off at home no coolant was leaking this time and it had remained full. After seeing it hold, Like an idiot I took it out today and the same thing happened when I shut it off at my destination, lost the coolant again. So did the same thing and drove it home and it's not leaking (again or yet). I been having a lot of electrical issues but I assume there's no connection there.
How much do you charge for this job???
Can i ask a question here. My 2003 Buick Century with only 85,000 miles on it was overheated the other day. The temperature gauge not alarming me. But when I saw the gauge in the last bar. I stop my car along the street and walk out transfer to my son's car where actually following me back home. Then we saw a slight smoke coming out in the hood. Actually, I wanted to trade in my car to have a new one, but not happen. I am still sad and cry to know that my Buick will go to the junk shop as what my husband told me earlier. My car was brought to the Mechanic last week by AAA when I felt I cant make it back home from work. When the Mechanic asking more than 1K. I decided not to fix. Since few months ago I spent almost 1K of the same issues. I brought the car home and the next morning I drove this to work. My husband put something in the coolant to block all what the leak in my car. He read a lot of review that the stuff he put in the coolant is proven. Where I guess not. Since
while I driving last Friday morning to work almost put me in danger to watch the gauge stay almost in the H. I left my car overnight in the parking lot at work and the morning of Saturday I tried to drove this back home and didn't make it.
If someone can fix this car I will give this away than to put to the Junk shop. I am still in shock and not happy at all. Although I get my 2019 Equinox AWD last Saturday afternoon.
Why did you remove the battery negative first? Isn't that a bad idea?
You disconnect negative side first to not cause any sparks in case you accidentally touch the body or the engine of your car with your tool
while you're loosening the terminal.
@@MakeItEasyMechanic thanks. I've been doing it wrong all along.
@@scyberclops it
Yes, definitely negative first. But, if you remove both, then the positive goes on first. Very dangerous otherwise.
EXCELLENT!
Kool
Break clean does wonders for orings 😐
hey
I never see any of you from scotty Kilgore to you putting oil or greese on your bolts! WTF
Always put something on those threads!
Those engineers make a very stupid design. No wonder people prefer Japanese cars.
I and the Father are One John 10 30
Great video, thanks.