Major coolant leak?

Tiny
KEMONTE18
  • MEMBER
  • 2013 CHEVROLET IMPALA
  • 3.6L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 180,000 MILES
I have the car listed above, LT model. I have a major coolant leak coming from in between the engine block and engine head near my thermostat and housing. Mind you I am in Texas we had freeze not too long ago and I had water inside my car instead of antifreeze... Any time I had water to my car it's just leak’s straight out once the car warms up or if leave the coolant cap off.
Monday, February 5th, 2024 AT 2:16 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Hi,

It could be a few things. Let's hope it is a simple thing.

Several hoses attach to the thermostat housing, so make sure to inspect them. If you are filling it through the radiator, check the upper radiator where it mounts to the housing. If you are filling through the surge tank, check that hose. See pic below.

Let me know. Also, if you can, blow out the water from that area, dry it, and slowly add coolant to see where it is coming from.

Take care and let me know what you find.

Joe

See pic below.
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Monday, February 5th, 2024 AT 6:29 PM
Tiny
KEMONTE18
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
It's not coming from thermostat or hoses, it's a small opening right next to the thermostat housing where it's leaking from. The leak is internal but coming out in between the head and the block.
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Wednesday, February 7th, 2024 AT 2:19 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Hi,

Is it the thermostat housing that is leaking? There really shouldn't be anything open. If possible, could you upload a pic of where you are seeing the leak come from?

Let me know.

Joe
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Wednesday, February 7th, 2024 AT 4:21 PM
Tiny
KEMONTE18
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
It's coming from this small gap where it looks a little orange.
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Thursday, February 8th, 2024 AT 7:47 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Hi,

If I had to guess, I would say the thermostat housing is leaking where it mounts to the engine. I would drain the coolant down below that point and then remove the housing to see if that is correct.

Let me know if that is something you are comfortable performing. In the back of my mind, I hear you saying there was a freeze there. How cold did it get and how long did it stay below freezing?

Below, I attached directions for the removal and installation of the thermostat housing. I would think if anything cracked, the housing would have been first. We need to remove and inspect it.

Let me know.

Joe

See pics below.
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Thursday, February 8th, 2024 AT 2:27 PM

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