Coolant Leaking (pics included)

[Superman88]

2002 Grand Am GT V6

Recently had Low Coolant light come on my dash so I checked it out. I filled it to the mark where it says on the side, and then right after it was right back down near the bottom (coolant level). Then I found one of these pipes coming from the coolant tank disconnected.

I looked and don't know where it goes, mind you I'm not the greatest with cars (first car, 17 y/o).

Any help with this? And could this have caused bad gas mileage?

Thanks guys!

[Superman88]

http://img47.imageshack.us/img47/9572/coolant01ue7.th.jpg (http://img47.imageshack.us/my.php?image=coolant01ue7.jpg)

http://img47.imageshack.us/img47/7154/coolant02rh6.th.jpg (http://img47.imageshack.us/my.php?image=coolant02rh6.jpg)

[SE2000]

I see your radiator cap is missing. You need one. That hose is the overflow tube.

[thegrimone]

thats the over flow tube, if you over fill your coolant tank that is where the system lets out excess pressure, is it wet on the inside? if so you may have overfilled your system or your cap is defective, the cap is a easy replace and fairly light on the wallet.

check the locations I added in your pic, if any brown satins are in these areas you have a lower intake manafold leak, its very common if you search the forum for "LIM" you will find many threads about this and can see other examples of leaking LIMs.
the spots are between the head and LIM and the block and LIM, not the valve cover.

http://img53.imageshack.us/img53/1885/coolant01ue7ha9.th.jpg (http://img53.imageshack.us/my.php?image=coolant01ue7ha9.jpg)

[MantaGreen97]

What year did they start that "overflow tube" business? I certainly don't have that on my car... I would have thought that an opening like that wouldn't allow pressure to hold in the tank though, right? I was under the impression that the surge tank was under pressure hence why the cap is rated for 15psi, just as a rad cap would be. But with a hose leading to nowhere wouldn't the pressure just escape through there???

Edit: Ohhh wait I see, that connection on the tank connects right up into the neck of the tank, so I guess the cap would cover/seal that normally?

[rixGAphx]

Originally posted by MantaGreen97
What year did they start that "overflow tube" business? '99, I *think*.

Ohhh wait I see, that connection on the tank connects right up into the neck of the tank, so I guess the cap would cover/seal that normally? Riiiight.

Superman:
The tube is supposed to point/drain downward, to the ground; move the end off the engine.

So if the system reaches 15 psi and the rad cap 'blows off steam' (as it should), the steam goes harmlessly down to the ground, not all over the engine (as yours will) nor all over our faces (as mine and manta's would, since our pre-'99's have no hose there).

[Brad97GS]

Originally posted by MantaGreen97
What year did they start that "overflow tube" business? I certainly don't have that on my car...

Does your car have the pressurized overflow tank? My old '89 GA had the pressurized tank, and it did have the overflow tube.

[Patchez]

My 89 had it too. I have never seen a GA without one myself...maybe an Americian thing (difference) on some models?? Don't know...

[Twista89]

yea my 95 has them to.

[djJOKeR]

I just took my car to midas to get brakes. My wheels have ben squeakin for months... but they said I dont need new brakes and it was just build up...


But they did find a coolant leak!! EKKK!K!!!!


It is leaking on the right side of my block. I knew It had to be leaking because I filled my tank twice in 4 months or so. I could never find it though. They shined a light down past my block into the engine and there it was... all my precious coolant!

Midas said $727.00 or so. Needless to say they wont be doing it. Why do they always send the creepy mechanic to explain shtuff to people... eww.

[thegrimone]

can you get a pic? when you say right side as in drivers side? it could be the water outlet or the upper hose, if its on the drivers side, the pass side could be the water pump. If it was pooled up on something then its a bad leak because it usually burns off if its the LIM because its coming out slow, check your oil for a milkshake look (lighter color fluid mixed in) or the lighter trick, pull your dipstick out and set the oil on the end on fire, if it pops and cracks then it has water in it and you most likely have a LIM leak.

[Bart001]

Sh!t, I had a nice long responce with everything... but the computer froze when I sent it.... fu&*5 figures....
Anyways.... I was saying... shouldnt cost more then 250-300 for All the parts n stuff... depending on how many kms you got, consider doing the head gaskets too... not too hard...
Gaskets to get for the jobs..
Updated Lower intake gaskets with the steal instead of plastic
100 bucks but then you wont have to redo it in a year
- Plenum gaskets
- Valve cover gaskets
- distributor shaft seal gasket
- EGR gaskets
- Injector and fuel line gaskets
- silicon sealer, Dexcool coolant, thread sealer
the job if you've never done it before will take about 12 hours if you take your time and do it right...so doing it in a garage might be wise.... especially if its snowy...lol..infact its a must...lol...
I'll private message ya with the step by step instructions....