Hello Guys,

My sons 2001 Malibu has sprung a new leak. Its in a spot that is impossible to actually see. I can see a steady drip from an area behind and to the left of thermostat housing. It is puddling on what I think is the lower manifold but I just cant see where it is coming from. It is not the thermostat or the throttle body gasket. Its a little to the left and behind that. I would probably have to take TB off to see back there. I sure that whatever it is , its not going to be good.

Thanks for any help

lower intake gasket...

Thanks for the input TechII. Actually what I meant to say in my earlier post was that the coolant seemed to be puddling on the top of the lower "intake" manifold which made me wonder if it was the plenum that was leaking.

The very top of the engine, is the plenum, and it has no coolant going through it........

If you look under the plenum, below and behind the throttle body, and you find coolant in the depressions of the top of the engine, it'* usually the lower intake gaskets......common problem....

That pretty much describes the area I'm looking at. So what do think I would expect to pay to have this repaired? I'm in North Carolina. (If it makes any difference)

600-800 bucks, depending on labor rate.....

But have it professionally diagnosed, to make sure you have no other problems, i.e., driving the vehicle with low coolant can lead to head gasket problems as well...