Question : 3.4 coolant leak

[cardana24]

So I was driving the over the weekend and I started to smell antifreeze, then the temp needle started going up, and I starter seeing steem from the radiator so I pull over.

I have had a very small leak from this spot until now where it has become a big leak. The leak is where that fitting goes into the LIM below the thermostat housing. What could be cause this to leak, and how do you fix it? This fitting has always been kinda loose on my engine, but I am not familiar with out it should feel. Anyway here is a pic of what I am talking about. Again its that big nut that is below the thermostat housing. Ideas?

[jmgtp]

I believe that is a pretty common fail part. My old setup had that kind of fitting, I think autozone/advanced even have the replacements right in the help! aisle. I don't remember how it should fit, sorry. My new setup is different and I haven't had that part in years.

[cardana24]

I believe that is a pretty common fail part. My old setup had that kind of fitting, I think autozone/advanced even have the replacements right in the help! aisle. I don't remember how it should fit, sorry. My new setup is different and I haven't had that part in years.

do you know what it's called?

[jmgtp]

it is a heater hose quick connector

hopefully this link works, if it doesn't you can type 'heater hose quick connect' or part # 800-401

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/catalog/accessories/accProductDetails.jsp?subSubPartId=&itemIdentifier=238650_0_0_&brandName=Help&displayName=GM+1990-2002+Heater+Hose+Connector&categoryNValue=101314&sortType=&store=3228&fromWhere=&fromString=search&itemId=prod13078&navValue=100679&skuDisplayName=GM+1990-2002+Heater+Hose+Connector&filterByKeyWord=Hoses&productId=238650&appQuestionText=&categoryDisplayName=Automotive+Help+and+Miscellaneous+Products&parentId=cat10044&subPartId=prod13078

[3400-95-Modified]

Yeah just so you know why it failed, they have an o-ring inside where the pipe goes into the nut, so I'm sure the o-ring on yours is probably just shot.

Also the pipe into the nut fit should feel kinda loose since it is only an o-ring seal.

[cardana24]

it is a heater hose quick connector

hopefully this link works, if it doesn't you can type 'heater hose quick connect' or part # 800-401

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/cat...rtId=prod13078

Good deal, I just checked Advanced Auto (that's closer to me) and they have the same part in stock, so I will pick one up today. Thanks for the good info!!

Yeah just so you know why it failed, they have an o-ring inside where the pipe goes into the nut, so I'm sure the o-ring on yours is probably just shot.

Also the pipe into the nut fit should feel kinda loose since it is only an o-ring seal.

Thanks for letting me know that.


As for replacing that part it looks like it should just screw into the LIM? Is that correct?

Also does the new part come with the gasket/seal or is that something else I need to pick up?

[Firehawk94]

The fitting has the o-ring located inside all you will need to do is remove the old one, apply some plumbers tape on the thread, install and voila your good to go.

[cardana24]

The fitting has the o-ring located inside all you will need to do is remove the old one, apply some plumbers tape on the thread, install and voila your good to go.

well I already picked up another one, but I will keep that in mind for the future. How do you release the metal coolant line that is stuck into the end of this thing?

[Firehawk94]

Whoops! sorry I worded my thread wrong what i meant to say was to apply plumbers tape to the threads on your NEW fitting. Removing the pipe is easy all i did on mine was pinch the plastic clamps against the pipe and with a little pull my pipe came right out although the plastic clip that was holding mine in was basically mutilated which probably made it easier to pull out. Hope this helps!

[cardana24]

Whoops! sorry I worded my thread wrong what i meant to say was to apply plumbers tape to the threads on your NEW fitting. Removing the pipe is easy all i did on mine was pinch the plastic clamps against the pipe and with a little pull my pipe came right out although the plastic clip that was holding mine in was basically mutilated which probably made it easier to pull out. Hope this helps!

Okay, I will try that tonight and report back tomorrow. I have a teflon based paste that I will use instead of tape.

[cardana24]

Well I got part of the job done last night. I did not have a socket big enough with me to take out the quick disconnet fitting so I took off my air intake, throttle body, and thermostat housing just so I could put a wrench on this thing. It came out easy and I put the new one in with plenty of thread sealent. When I was putting everything back together I realized that the line that hooks to the quick disconnect fitting has a support bracket built into it and it should be bolted to the block....well mine did not have a bolt there to start with so I stoped for the night. I picked up a bolt this morning that will fit and I will finish putting it back together this weekend. I'll report back later. Thanks for the help so far.

[3400-95-Modified]

yeah mine has a bracket that bolts the pipe to the head too... I never thought to ask you to look for that, but yeah that will help hold the pipe secure so it doesn't side load the o-ring and cause a leak on the other side.

[cardana24]

yeah mine has a bracket that bolts the pipe to the head too... I never thought to ask you to look for that, but yeah that will help hold the pipe secure so it doesn't side load the o-ring and cause a leak on the other side.

Yeah I know what you are saying. Looking at the O-ring on the one that I took out, only one side of it had been pushed in, so it could have been caused from running it without the bolt. I am just not familiar enough with this engine to know that that bolt was missing in the first place.

[Firehawk94]

Hmmm....come to think of it mine didnt have one either.......Im gonna get that done right now!! lol I dont want this one to start leaking too.

[cardana24]

Okay, I got the bolt that I needed and put everything back together. That fixed the coolant leak, and I replaced a few other things while I was in there...hopefully it will hold together a little longer