How to find/fix coolant leak near the alternator bracket?

JAVIERALVAREZ

MEMBER
2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA
155,000 MILES

My coolant is leaking near the alternator bracket. I just replace the thermostat and will probably also go ahead and replace the water pump. My car is leaking coolant next to the alternator bracket which is not at the same location as the water pump so I'm not sure if replacing the water pump would fix the problem. I have seen some videos on youtube that show coolant leacking on 2004 impala in around the same area as my 2003 impala but when they remove the alternator and bracket theirs have somw water outlet/inlet (elbows). I thought my would be the exact same but when I remove my alternator/bracket there are not water outlet/inlet elbows. I see that the coolant is leaking near the same area from kind of like a slot near the motor but I do not see an actual hole (note that this slot seems to be on what would be part of the motor near the belt tentioner (to the left of it)

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1 Reply

KASEKENNY

MECHANIC
18,907 POSTS

The way to find where this is leaking from is to pressure test the system and inspect for leaks.

Here is a guide on how to do that:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/radiator-pressure-test

Once you put pressure to the system you want to inspect all over for where it is leaking including this spot that you are seeing some coolant.

However, if you can get a couple better pictures of where the leak is coming from I am sure we can figure out what that is.

It does look like if that is a picture with the bracket remove which is what I assume it is, then that is a freeze plug in the head that is leaking.

Please see the info below on removing this bracket and you can see this circle. If that is the same then that freeze plug needs to be removed and replaced.

Please let us know if you have other questions. Thanks

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