coolant problem

[layz]

hi this is my problem i started leaking coolant yesterday. and then today i went and bought some stop leak. i followed all the instructions and it was leaking while the car was running but very little. there was no heat coming out of the vents it was cold air blowing. then when i turned off the ignition it all came out at once. so i filled the coolant tank with water and i can see the water just flowing out. can anyone tell me what the problem might be.

1996 Grand Am SE 4DR 3.1L
If anyone needs this info

[Freeloader]

1) Never use stop leak. I hear it's a bad idea. I have in the past with poor results.

Where was the coolant leaking from in the first place?
Did you check the water pump? Are all of your radiator hoses connected, sealed and intact?

Check the LIM where it meets the block (see my thread about my '97 overheating, you'll see pictures of my leak) and see if you have any leakage there.

Seems to be a lot of coolant problems on GAOC nowadays.

[layz]

nope its leaking near the back of the engine, closer to the ground in around the same area were the transmiision dipstick is

[Vimjah]

I'm having the same problem w/ my 1999 3.4L ... I think it's the thermostat... cause my heat will come one intermittantly and the engine will cool down almost instantly then start 2 rise after a few min

[levey]

1) Never use stop leak. I hear it's a bad idea. I have in the past with poor results.


I have to agree with that. In my expirence.....Products such as stop leak, engine restore....and many others...cause more problems than it's worth.
I am not a fan of any additive. (besides injector cleaner)

If something is not working properly....fix it the right way. All those quick fix additives are a rip off....and could cause more problems than you started with.


Number one rip off.........Duralube. (I learned the hard way)

[mikem220153]

It sounds like you may have a leaking heater hose or heater core. These are common problem areas and from the location you described, this is about the right spot. Hopefully it is a hose because the core is a real PITA.