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Whole lotta coolant dripping on

Aquila76

Aquila76

Diamond Member
About the vehicle:
- 1996 Pontiac Grand Am SE 2.4L I4 Sedan; roughly 135K miles.

About the issue:
- About a month ago, my coolant light came on out of the blue. Sure enough, it was low in the tank. I added a bit to top it off (a quart tops, made sure not to overfill), and all seemed fine. I went to do an oil change Saturday, and there is a crapload of coolant dripping down the back of the engine and all over the pan and surrounding frame area. Checked the tank, it's low again. The temps are staying fine, though; no overheats or higher-than-normal temps.

Am I looking at a leaky / blown head gasket? Any estimates on cost to repair this? Can I just keep topping it off, or is that going to make my building's parking lot a Superfund site?
 
The sure fire way to tell if your HG is blown - do a leak down test. Question though, you mention the coolant leaking down the back of the engine - how is your heat in the cab? Any issues there? Reason I ask it's possible that the hoses leading to your heatercore need replacement or the heatercore in general.
 
Heat works fine. I didn't see any damage to the lines or radiator anywhere either when I was down there.
 
Based on a little bit of research, it looks like that motor does have coolant related head gasket problems. After 12 years though, I would think it would be expected.

I can't help you with the cost of the repair, but my suggestion would be to get it looked at ASAP. It has the potential to become a much more costly repair. These things always seem to happen at a bad time too.
 
Water pump and coolant lines also run near the rear of that engine.

Clean the engine off and put soem dye in the coolant. Then watch with a light to see where it is coming from.
 
Is it clean coolant or is there oil also? Check your dipstick for oil level and sludge.

Possible it's just an external coolant line or heater hose, or oil cooler line or something.
 
I believe this model uses the red colored dex-cool coolant? If so, chances are the coolant has eaten through the intake manifold gasket and started leaking. This is a classic problem with all GM vehicles from that time that used dex cool. I recently replaced the one on my 2000 Jimmy. Your lucky it lasted that long if this is indeed the problem.

Link
 
Originally posted by: Mxylplyx
I believe this model uses the red colored dex-cool coolant? If so, chances are the coolant has eaten through the intake manifold gasket and started leaking. This is a classic problem with all GM vehicles from that time that used dex cool. I recently replaced the one on my 2000 Jimmy. Your lucky it lasted that long if this is indeed the problem.

Link
Click to expand...

He's got a 4 cylinder though. I dont think that coolant circulates through as in a V-6. Through the throttle body for sure, but the manifold I don't believe so.
 
Originally posted by: Marlin1975
Water pump and coolant lines also run near the rear of that engine.

Clean the engine off and put soem dye in the coolant. Then watch with a light to see where it is coming from.
Click to expand...

I'll try that in a couple days. Raining pretty steady today. Good for the dry plants & lawn; car repairs, not so much.

Originally posted by: exdeath
Is it clean coolant or is there oil also? Check your dipstick for oil level and sludge.

Possible it's just an external coolant line or heater hose, or oil cooler line or something.
Click to expand...

It looks like the typical orange coolant (Dex-Cool). Oil level and color are good, no foaminess or gunk in it. I'll probably know better when I drain it this weekend (skipped it after seeing the coolant everywhere last weekend).

Originally posted by: boomerang
Originally posted by: Mxylplyx
I believe this model uses the red colored dex-cool coolant? If so, chances are the coolant has eaten through the intake manifold gasket and started leaking. This is a classic problem with all GM vehicles from that time that used dex cool. I recently replaced the one on my 2000 Jimmy. Your lucky it lasted that long if this is indeed the problem.

Link
Click to expand...

He's got a 4 cylinder though. I dont think that coolant circulates through as in a V-6. Through the throttle body for sure, but the manifold I don't believe so.
Click to expand...

There's a few Saturns & Grand Ams in there, too. I think it is systemic with all GM cars from the mid-90's. Guess I was one of the 'lucky' ones.
 
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