1992-1999 Series I L27 (1992-1994 SE,SLE, SSE) & Series II L36 (1995-1999 SE, SSE, SLE) and common problems for the Series I and II L67 (all supercharged models 92-99) Including Olds 88's, Olds LSS's and Buick Lesabres Please use General Chat for non-mechanical issues, and Performance and Brainstorming for improvements.

Low Coolant light then a puddle

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Old 09-12-2007, 08:40 PM
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Default Low Coolant light then a puddle

Yesterday, I caught a couple quick wiffs of burning coolant, then this morning my low coolant light came on. Sure enough, the reservior was dry, and the radiator was pretty low. I filled the rad back up and overfilled the reservior so I could get to work. I didn't notice a puddle when I left work, but it made a puddle when I got home. The rad was still full and the reservior had about 3/4 sucked out of it. I don't know if that much leaked out or it just sucked most of that to fill the possible void in the block. I did find coolant sitting on the forward portion of the waterpump where it can pool. So I figure it'* the WP gasket right there (which is new, just like the WP and every other gasket in the engine) or coming from the coolant bypass hose right above it. I tried to tighten the hose clamp on it but they were pretty tight already.

Any thoughs before I take a closer look to ensure I can get to work tomorrow?

Coolant was here and the puddle seemed to form right under it:

Old 09-12-2007, 10:33 PM
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I'm trying to track down the same problem apparently...started smelling coolant again two days ago... :? and coolant reservoir was empty, but not finding puddles...yet...
Old 09-12-2007, 10:37 PM
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Check the bypass hose right above that for any splits. Mine had a slit in it, but wasn't leaking, so I replaced it anyways. Do you still have the plastic coolant fitting in the LIM?
Old 09-12-2007, 10:52 PM
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Originally Posted by Bonneville92V688
Do you still have the plastic coolant fitting in the LIM?
That'* just what I was looking up to see if the L67 was the same as on my '94SLE. (but you've probably had that all apart, too)

Here'* a nice pic of willwren'*:

Originally Posted by willwren
Here'* a plastic bypass fitting with a nice little hidden crack:

Old 09-12-2007, 11:00 PM
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I've got a metal fitting. I've swapped the bypass hose 10 minutes ago. If that doesn't fix it, I'll fill that pool spot with RTV and the WP gasket edge just above it.
Old 09-13-2007, 08:12 AM
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There was a problem with that gasket leaking on Sandrocks..and I also had a small issue. It'* not the greatest gasket being plastic or something like that. Apparently it'* considered a premium gasket though.

I'd check the torque on the WP bolts.

You did use sealant on the WP bolts correct?
Old 09-13-2007, 11:28 AM
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Yep, sealant on the WP bolts. I've driven about half an hour today and it seems to be holding with the new bypass hose. I'll cross my fingers for a couple days.
Old 09-13-2007, 11:59 AM
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How do the hoses look?
Old 09-13-2007, 12:02 PM
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The hose I took off looked fine, it may have leaked past the end.
Old 09-13-2007, 10:15 PM
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Didn't lose a drop today that I could tell. I think I fixed it.


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