my other car is an 04 impala ls.i found out earlier after a fresh tune up,i noticed the a river of coolant pouring out right above the waterpump.so my question is what helpful tips do you guys have on replacing the lim gasket.uim gasket is about a year old so no need to replace that right?

That'* not the LIM gaskets leaking, that'* the coolant elbow. Those cost about $5.

ill have to take a picture tomorrow it looks like the stock paper looking gasket is like flaking off where it is leaking like there is a chunk missing??? Its not the elbow. Sorry for no pictures will do tomorrow

Directly above the waterpump you say. That'* either waterpump gasket or coolant elbow. Reason behind that is the LIM gasket there is sealing in oil from the lifter valley. The only coolant at that end of the motor that could leak that way is from pump or elbow. Unless you blew out part of the tensioner bracket and it'* leaking from there.

Nice thing is if it'* an elbow or tensioner you are lookin at a 30 min fix.

Right, and you can find those in the Help section of most auto stores. There are actually two elbows in the kit since there are two you can replace right next to each other.

Technically being a 96, he'll have one plastic elbow and the other is part of the alternator bracket/tensioner assembly. Sounds like he'* pretty sure it'* not that though. This one is peaking my curiosity.

I suppose a picture is in order then...

well just got home and last night was to dark to see exactly what was leaking.But now i see its the elbow from the tensioner..by the way this is on my 04 impala 3.8.gonna go out and start the removal be back with the pics!!

let us know!

Swapping the elbow is a easy job. Will save you a ton of cash doing it yoruself.