Dexcool mystery leak

jhm · April 25, 2005

A few weeks ago I noticed a couple of spots on my garage floor, in the area of the front axle, almost dead center between the wheels. I put a piece of sheet metal down and randomly, sometimes a few days would go by with nothing there, I would find pinkish fluid drops. I thought it was tranny fluid cause it was pink and slippery. I figured it was coming from the tranny or transfer case and making its way to drip there. Yesterday, I look at the metal and see fresh drops, truck had not been driven for 24 hours. I get under there and search around with a mag light, no drips seen. I get out and happen to look at the overflow jug, it was down an inch or more below the cold mark. I can find NO place where coolant is leaking. The top of the water pump where it bolts to the engine has some dark stain, but I didnt see anything coming out, even after driving to get some Dexcool and coming home. Any ideas where this leak could be? Luckily I got the extended warranty that covers the engine and all related gaskets, seals and the water pump(because of the piston slap issue, which I dont have). Because it drips randomly, how would they find the source? A pressure test? Sorry for the long post, I am stumped on this one!

jhm · May 16, 2005

Well the drip has come back. Did not leak for a couple of weeks, then this morning I see 2 drips on the sheet metal. 42K on this truck and getting leaks already Guess its time to call the dealership. Why cant anyone build quality anymore????

jhm · May 3, 2005

I have a couple of suggestions:

01. I had a very simular problem in my o3' tahoe. It turned out to be the water pump. I looked at the water pump before taking it in to get it serviced and the weep hole was dry as ever. The GM Tech stated that my water pump actually had two weep holes. One on top and the other on the bottom. the bottom one was leaking ever so slightly. Just enough to leave a small puddle (about a table spoon full) every day right between the front wheels.

02. My wifes 03' LeSabre had the same problem, but hers ended up being an entirely different animal. On hers, it turned out that the throttle body itself was leaking. GM runs antifreeze through the throttle body so it will not freeze or stick during cold weather. GM has this on all models I believe. I guess it was cheaper to do it on all models and not be selective to climate. I live in Katy Texas. The colest it ever gets here MIGHT get to 32 degF.

These are just a couple of suggestions. Please keep us updated on what you find out.

cheers...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks for the info, I did not know there are weep holes. It has not dripped (at least in my garage with the sheet metal under it) in the last couple of weeks. The level seems just about where I topped it off. Gonna have to keep checking, want to get it fixed while I still got the ext warranty. I know they wont do anything unless they actually see it leaking.

rcj_houston · May 2, 2005

I have a couple of suggestions:

01. I had a very simular problem in my o3' tahoe. It turned out to be the water pump. I looked at the water pump before taking it in to get it serviced and the weep hole was dry as ever. The GM Tech stated that my water pump actually had two weep holes. One on top and the other on the bottom. the bottom one was leaking ever so slightly. Just enough to leave a small puddle (about a table spoon full) every day right between the front wheels.

02. My wifes 03' LeSabre had the same problem, but hers ended up being an entirely different animal. On hers, it turned out that the throttle body itself was leaking. GM runs antifreeze through the throttle body so it will not freeze or stick during cold weather. GM has this on all models I believe. I guess it was cheaper to do it on all models and not be selective to climate. I live in Katy Texas. The colest it ever gets here MIGHT get to 32 degF.

These are just a couple of suggestions. Please keep us updated on what you find out.

cheers...