1995 Pontiac Firebird Coolant Leaking

JORDANJAY23

MEMBER
1995 PONTIAC FIREBIRD
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
160,000 MILES

I have been having coolant leak from (I think) below my engine. I was having problems with my car over heating and these are the steps I have taken already. I have replaced the thermostat, water pump and all radiator hoses. It seems to only leak when I have been driving and come to a stop. I have read about Intake Manifold Leaks and the problems GM has with these. I guess my question is - Could that be my problem? If so is that something I can fix myself. I have done all of the other work so far and would like to do it also if possible.

7 Replies

JAMES W.

MECHANIC
2,395 POSTS

The first thing you to do is determine where the leak is. An intake leak will usually run down the back of the motor or into the engine oil turning it into the color of a chocolate malt. A head gasket or a FROST PLUG will leak down the side of the engine block and drip off the pan. See if you can locate the leak, and we can go from there.

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Tuesday, March 31st, 2009 AT 9:10 PM

JORDANJAY23

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If I am looking at the front of my engine it comes down right behind my belt and straight to the ground. Im not sure what pulley that is. I don't know if it helps but Its usually a large quantity that comes out at a time. It falls on I believe my exhaust manifold? I checked my oil and it seems fine and I have never noticed any change in color it looks clean.

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Tuesday, March 31st, 2009 AT 9:40 PM

JAMES W.

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That really sounds like your water pump is leaking. In re-reading your post, you had that changed at one time.
If it is the pump you'll have to look at the bottom side with a mirror to see if it's leaking from the "weep" hole. It may also be leaking from where the timing cover meets the block.

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Tuesday, March 31st, 2009 AT 10:50 PM

JORDANJAY23

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4 POSTS

The water pump I installed less than a week ago. Last night after getting this response I went out with a mirror and looked all along the seal of the water pump and could not see where any coolant had leaked. I guess the next step would be to check where the timing cover meets the block. Is there an easy way for me to do that?

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Wednesday, April 1st, 2009 AT 8:48 AM

JAMES W.

MECHANIC
2,395 POSTS

I'm assuming you had a coolant leak before you had the water pump changed.
The coolant from the engine block to the water pump goes through passages in the timing cover. Pontiac and Buick engines are known for the gaskets to go bad and many times the water pump is blamed.
To check this area for leaks you need to clean the area around the timing cover as best you can. With the engine at operating temp, again with a mirror, check both sides of the cover where it meets the engine block. You may get a better view of the cover from down below. If you have a regular "radiator cap" you may be able to get a cooling system pressure tester and add pressure to the system to help find the leak. Let me know what you find.