• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Car question about antifreeze leak

episodic

episodic

Lifer
I am not a car person at all.

I have a 1500 dollar hunka junk (actually has been fine for a year) that is leaking some antifreeze from places that look expensive to have fixed.

It is not a bad leak.

What is the best stop leak there is?

There are so many. . .

I know there are some 'fixit purists' but if a 12 dollar bottle will stave off repairs for a while longer - so be it.
 
It is a gasket that is some distance (about 6 inches) below the valve cover gaskets in the front middle of a 1996 chevy cavalier engine 2.6liter v4 auto trans. . .
 
Originally posted by: CrackRabbit
2.6 ltr??? sure its not a 2.2?
Headgasket? is it sandwiched between the block and head?
Has your car overheated at all?
Click to expand...

2.2 is right, I just messed up.

I think that is it.

No, it has never overheated, and the leak is very very slow. . .
 
Originally posted by: episodic
Originally posted by: CrackRabbit
2.6 ltr??? sure its not a 2.2?
Headgasket? is it sandwiched between the block and head?
Has your car overheated at all?
Click to expand...

2.2 is right, I just messed up.

I think that is it.

No, it has never overheated, and the leak is very very slow. . .
Click to expand...

though slow now it will get worse. eventualy the coolant will start getting into the oil (if it hasnt already) and prematurely wear out the crankshaft and rod bearings.
You have some options.
1. Throw some stop leak in it and dump the car.
2. get the headgasket replaced and have the head checked for cracks.
3. drive it til it throws a rod and get another beater
4. ?
5. Profit
 
I change the oil myself sometimes (depends if I'm feeling lazy or not) and I've never noticed water in the oil at all.
 
If you have coolant leaking into your oil, the oil on the dipstick will look like a chocolate milkshake.

Front middle....sounds like it may be the water pump? If so, that's a cheap fix, and not too hard to do yourself on most cars. I'm not familiar with that engine layout, so I don't know for sure. Pics would help...
 
If you don't care about the car and plan on getting rid of it in the not too distant future dump a tube of Alumaseal in. Just follow the instructions.
 
Originally posted by: Black88GTA
If you have coolant leaking into your oil, the oil on the dipstick will look like a chocolate milkshake.

Front middle....sounds like it may be the water pump? If so, that's a cheap fix, and not too hard to do yourself on most cars. I'm not familiar with that engine layout, so I don't know for sure. Pics would help...
Click to expand...

I'll post pics in the am
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top