3.1 Leaking a lot of coolant ---FIGURED IT OUT---

[sho94_2000]

I have a 1996 Pontiac Grand Prix with the 3.1. My question/problem is that it is leaking a lot of coolant--a drip every second when it is running. It looks to me like it is dripping on to the transmission and then the floor. Any ideas or anyone with the same problem. Would it posssibly be an easy fix?

*****As it turns out, it was the intake manifold gasket. Totally shot. I want to thank all who responded to this post, it was not the head gasket but there were a lot of good tips. Thanks*****

[highoctane]

i dont know if the 3100 is the same as the 3.1 in this aspect, but on the 3.1 in my 91, there are two hoses under the throttle body, and that is the same area that mine and my dads lumina leaked from and went to the tranny and then the ground.
so if the 3100 has 2 hoses under the throttle body, it might be them.
if not, do a pressure test, youll find it.

[sho94_2000]

Thanks for the tips. I have noticed that it only leaks when the engine is running. I have no idea if this means anything but the more information the better. Thanks again!

[Anonymous]

You might need a tuneup. My engine was overheating (I think the t-stat was bad too).. ran like crap and would overflow (and steam up a bit). After flushing the rad and changing the t-stat it ran better. I cleaned the IAC and it ran almost perfect after that. It should run 100% now after the work i've done recently.

Our van had a bad t-stat, so it overflowed, however it did not need a tuneup so it just ran real hot on the guage. Cool as a kitten now.

[quaddriver]

Re: 3.1 Leaking a lot of coolant

I have a 1996 Pontiac Grand Prix with the 3.1. My question/problem is that it is leaking a lot of coolant--a drip every second when it is running. It looks to me like it is dripping on to the transmission and then the floor. Any ideas or anyone with the same problem. Would it posssibly be an easy fix?

when you say onto the transmission, do you mean onto the chain drive portion of the tranny (hence from the 'rear' or right hand side facing of the motor) or onto the geartrain/axle shaft area, hence from the odd (rear, near firewall) cylinder bank?

If the former, then suspect (in order of likelihood) intake at 'rear' crossover, thermo housing, TB anti-icing hose, if the latter then suspect cracked head around the headbolt or head gasket

leak dye will help a lot.

[customandsound]

i bypassed the hose on the tbi ..

[sho94_2000]

I have also noticed that it leaks only when the enging is cold. After driving it to normal operating temp., it does not leak.

[quaddriver]

i bypassed the hose on the tbi ..

personally Id correct this....

[quaddriver]

I have also noticed that it leaks only when the enging is cold. After driving it to normal operating temp., it does not leak.

wash the motor, the add some dye and take a peeksie

[sho94_2000]

Re: 3.1 Leaking a lot of coolant

I have a 1996 Pontiac Grand Prix with the 3.1. My question/problem is that it is leaking a lot of coolant--a drip every second when it is running. It looks to me like it is dripping on to the transmission and then the floor. Any ideas or anyone with the same problem. Would it posssibly be an easy fix?

Ok, well it looks like I am screwed. As I was trying to find the source of this leak, I looked under the oil fill cap, and it was milky. I had just bought this car on Saturday January 3rd, 2004. My question to all of you out there is, should I keep it and have it fixed (1996 Pontiac GP SE 2-door with 168,000 miles on it) OR should I make up some sort of story and sell it. I do not have the funds right now to fix it either. I am not attached to this car in any way, so getting rid of it would ne absolutly no problem. Thanks again

[highoctane]

i dont know if the 3100 is the same as the 3.1 in this aspect, but on the 3.1 in my 91, there are two hoses under the throttle body, and that is the same area that mine and my dads lumina leaked from and went to the tranny and then the ground.
so if the 3100 has 2 hoses under the throttle body, it might be them.
if not, do a pressure test, youll find it.

i retract my previous statement, after reading more of your posts, it doesn't sound like it is that hose, it does sound more like the gasket, but what these other people said, i wouldn't just throw away, coolant leaks can be hard to find, but i will stay with getting it pressure tesed, thats always a good way to find a leak.

[Lyle's GTP]

It's probably the gasket. I just changed my girlfriends lower intake gaskets on her 3100. What a bitch that was, It was like I had to remove everything.

Lyle

[highoctane]

im glad you figured it out man, id hate to see someone get rid of a 660 for somethin and not even knowin what the problem was...

[sho94_2000]

im glad you figured it out man, id hate to see someone get rid of a 660 for somethin and not even knowin what the problem was...

660?

[RidgeRunner]

V6 - 60 degree.
Shortened to 660.
Or 60v6.