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

Old Sep 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:

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Old Sep 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...
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Old Sep 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?
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Old Sep 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:

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Old Sep 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.
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Old Sep 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?
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Old Sep 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.
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Old Sep 13, 2007 | 11:59 AM
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How do the hoses look?
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Old Sep 13, 2007 | 12:02 PM
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The hose I took off looked fine, it may have leaked past the end.
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Old Sep 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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