Alero Coolant Leak!

Tiny
RLBUTTA16
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  • 2000 OLDSMOBILE ALERO
My 2000 Oldsmobile Alero 2.4l has a repeating coolant leak. I can't seem to locate it. Had the Waterpump and thermostat replaced and it ran fine for a few weeks. Now coolant is pouring out after driving once I park. Doesn't seem to leak while driving. Nothing I can see from the hoses looks remotely wet, and the leak comes from the passenger side right near the engine. PLEASE HELP! I don't know where else to check and I am still learning cars. I feel so clueless as what to do.

The cap is clean. The reservoir is clean. I am about to do a pressure test. I tried running it idle and revving it to get the car temp up. Couldn't force it to leak. Seems to be somewhat random and when it leaks a lot comes out. Maybe 2-4 trips with leaks to clear my coolant tank. Doesn't seem to leak unless it reaches Normal Operating Temperature. I will post shortly once I get some more details. All help is appreciated truly.

Before I get too far ahead I noticed a change. In the 10 minutes or so I was inside after shutting the car off and having no leak, I go back out and MASSIVE PUDDLE under my Oil Pan. Looks like its coming down the sides of it but I am not sure from where that might be. The big hose that goes under the engine looks completely dry. Hoses to the radiator are dry. No spill from overflow hose. Commencing pressure test to see if that yields any useful information

I can't afford another $1000 repair for a damn leak.
Sunday, June 26th, 2011 AT 3:54 PM

9 Replies

Tiny
RLBUTTA16
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First pic is the puddle, starts around the middle/back of the front tires in the center of the vehicle. Second pic is the only place I can see any coolant collecting and dripping but still no luck from the top side of seeing anything.
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Sunday, June 26th, 2011 AT 5:55 PM
Tiny
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It drips from where that black piece is touching my oil pan
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Sunday, June 26th, 2011 AT 5:58 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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That black piece looks like the flywheel/torque convertor cover I can't see much in the pics as far as where the leak is coming from. The best thing to do is rent a coolant pressure tester pump up the system and look where the leak is coming from. Also the coolant cap has to be pressure tested it you can't visually tell if it is leaking or not.
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Sunday, June 26th, 2011 AT 7:49 PM
Tiny
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Thank you very much. Seem to have misplaced my tester so I'll rent one. Much appreciated.
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Sunday, June 26th, 2011 AT 8:04 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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Your welcome let me know what you find.
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Sunday, June 26th, 2011 AT 8:08 PM
Tiny
RLBUTTA16
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This thing has been pestering me for a while now, finally found it! There's a gasket where the radiator hose goes into the motor. I'm not sure of the name of it but sure enough my leak has been found. So tiny and easy to pass up. VERY hard to spot. Its facing backwards from the front of the car on the right of the engine. Had to remove the air filter and a few other things to get to it. Hope this helps!
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Monday, June 27th, 2011 AT 3:10 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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Are you talking about the big upper radiator hose that goes to the engine?

Does it have a big hose and then a small hose going to where it's leaking if so sounds like its the thermostat gasket seal leaking. Is there two bolts at the base holding it on?
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Monday, June 27th, 2011 AT 3:38 AM
Tiny
RLBUTTA16
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It was right where the large hose connects to the engine and does have 2 smaller hoses coming out, going down and back into the car. 2 Bolts and another bolt holding I believe a water line, its a metal thing pipe that wraps around the back of the motor. Got that all off and the O ring gasket was warped. Some crust and grime around where the gasket goes on the large black hose. New gasket, no leak. If that is the thermostat gasket then yes.
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Tuesday, June 28th, 2011 AT 12:58 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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The thermostat housing looked like it only had two hoses going to it and two bolts going to it. Glad to hear you got it fixed though.
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Tuesday, June 28th, 2011 AT 3:28 PM

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