Hey everyone, I just did a lower intake manifold replacement on a 1998 Malibu 3.1 and was finishing up when I put a bolt that was a little too long in the alternator bracket.
It was the bottom of the three bolts, I stopped because I felt a little crunchy feel and knew I'd just messed up.
I pulled the bolt out and it had antifreeze on it.
Would it be possible to coat the proper bolt with silicone and work?

Thank you...

I don't see why that wouldn't work, but it is certainly worth a try. Make sure you put some silicone into the threaded hole, and put a blob on the end of the bolt as well as on the threads.

First let'* see how bad this leak or crack is....remove the bolts and alternator, and pressure test the coolant system....if you cracked something, that crack will expand as the engine warms up, and no sealant on a bolt will fix that....

Trying to remember if that lower bolt goes into the front cover...

So far so good, late last night I filled it with silicone and tightened up everything.


I've had it pressured up several times today and nothing, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Good luck & keep a close eye out for leaks & on your coolant reservoir level!

Thanks, just got home from a 40 mile trip, dry as a bone!

Glad it is not leaking anymore, it may decide to after a few heat/cooling cycles, so keep an eye on it for a while just in case, hopefully it never leaks again.