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3800 collant leak

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Old Feb 8, 2011 | 11:33 AM
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Default 3800 collant leak

1999 Olds Delta 88 with 120k miles on it. Dealer did the intake gasket trick around 38k. NO problems until today. Coolant leaks from the front left of the engine drips down and then off the oil filter. No puddles or coolant on intake manifold or coolant in the oil. First thought was the two elbows/o rings were bad but they look okay/dry. Questions: Could this be another intake gasket problem? Or head gasket? Heard of the intake leaking coolant around the EGR but this is on the other side of the engine. Help!!!
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Old Feb 8, 2011 | 11:36 AM
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More expereinced members will soon reply, but I would recommend you do a radiator pressure test. That will provide you solid information as to if you have a problem and if so, where it might be. Pressure tests are very easy to do and most chain auto stores will lend you the tester.
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Old Feb 8, 2011 | 12:06 PM
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Sounds like it may be the heater hose fittings. They have o-rings into the alternator tensioner that don't usually leak, but can.
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Old Feb 8, 2011 | 12:06 PM
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If it were the coolant elbows leaking you should be able to see the leak. Generally they would leak when the engine is first started cold.

Depending on what gasket the Dealer used, it could have gone bad again.
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Old Feb 8, 2011 | 08:32 PM
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First, the elbows are on the right side of the engine and the EGR is on the left. If the LIM gaskets were leaking it would be internal and you would find coolant in the oil. If this is a NA engine and it'* leaking at the UIM/LIM gasket the would be external by the throttle body, but can also leak internal. You did say it'* leaking on the right side by the alternator right? There are heater hoses there, check them. Coolant also goes threw the tensioner, check all around that as wall. Clean it all up real good. Then use a paper towel to locate the leak.
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