Losing Water Mystery

jaco · 01-03-2007, 11:10 AM

My 1990 ninety-eight 3800 V6 is losing water slowly...very slowly I think.

I can't see any thing wet or leaking.

Any tests I can do to find it?
How about one of those radiator pump up units? How much pressure over cap pressure 15-16 lbs can one safely put on the system?

The weep hole in bottom of water pump. What is it there for and when should it pass fluid?

Would not ANY internal leakage of coolant show up in the oil?

thanks

Eightupman · 01-17-2007, 07:53 PM

How many miles on the motor?

If a head gasket was fautly in the one spot between the coolant passage and the cylinder, it would not show in the oil. Water in the combustion chamber would produce a brilliantly clean spark plug.

- Water in the oil will produce a milky brown snot on the inside of the oil fill cap. A slow leaking intake manifold or head gasket (or head crack) would cause this. NAPA sells this really cool kit that tests for exhaust gas in the coolant to identify a head problem.

- Heater core. If they leak slow it is hard to realize that they are going until a nice sweet smell or a green puddle is on your floor.

- corroded freeze plug

-pinhole in a hose...

the list is long, but the problem can be tracked. A coolant leak only gets worse over time.

John

jaco · 01-18-2007, 01:07 PM

near 140,000 on engine.

Great answers, thanks.

How bout those pump ups? Would they cause harm or help locate leak?

Is there a florescent dye I can add that will not hurt anything?
I've used the dye that is added to crankcase on other vehicles but never added it into the water system.

duckblaster67 · 01-19-2007, 09:54 PM

My experience with the 3.8 is that it is indestructible, except for 1 problem...there is a plastic piece that leaks on the intake manifold that you should be able to get at any auto parts store. AERA has a bulletin on it.

jaco · 01-20-2007, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duckblaster67

My experience with the 3.8 is that it is indestructible, except for 1 problem...there is a plastic piece that leaks on the intake manifold that you should be able to get at any auto parts store.
AERA has a bulletin on it.

Thanks, Now wherebouts on the Intake? I'm lookin.
Is this a tube shaped thing ?

Are you talking water leak or vac leak?

And what is AERA?

jaco

Oldsfan · 01-20-2007, 11:40 AM

There is coolant dye that you can add, but I would think it if was leaking externally, you would be able to see/smell it. No aroma of burning coolant? No telltale puddles?

The plastic thing duckblaster is referring to is below the throttle body, in the manifold. Called a nipple. They are made of plastic and the rotten things crack. Miserable design. I don't know what some of these engineers were thinking. New replacement part is metal. One of these went on my dad's '92 and they frequently go on the newer ones. I don't even have to look these up anymore. When a customer comes in with their tale of woe, I go right to the bin and that's what they want. But can't tell you the part number off the top of my head. I didn't think they used them on 90s. I'll have to look on Monday.

Paul

Oldsfan · 01-25-2007, 05:55 AM

Olds only started using that plastic nipple in 98s and Toronados in '91, 88s in '92.

Paul

01-03-2007, 11:10 AM	#1 (permalink)
jaco Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Houston Posts: 22	Losing Water Mystery My 1990 ninety-eight 3800 V6 is losing water slowly...very slowly I think. I can't see any thing wet or leaking. Any tests I can do to find it? How about one of those radiator pump up units? How much pressure over cap pressure 15-16 lbs can one safely put on the system? The weep hole in bottom of water pump. What is it there for and when should it pass fluid? Would not ANY internal leakage of coolant show up in the oil? thanks __________________ ~jaco~ *"I know nothing, I didn't see anything, I wasn't there, and if I was there, I was asleep."*

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01-17-2007, 07:53 PM	#2 (permalink)
Eightupman Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Fayetteville, NC Posts: 252	How many miles on the motor? If a head gasket was fautly in the one spot between the coolant passage and the cylinder, it would not show in the oil. Water in the combustion chamber would produce a brilliantly clean spark plug. - Water in the oil will produce a milky brown snot on the inside of the oil fill cap. A slow leaking intake manifold or head gasket (or head crack) would cause this. NAPA sells this really cool kit that tests for exhaust gas in the coolant to identify a head problem. - Heater core. If they leak slow it is hard to realize that they are going until a nice sweet smell or a green puddle is on your floor. - corroded freeze plug -pinhole in a hose... the list is long, but the problem can be tracked. A coolant leak only gets worse over time. John

01-18-2007, 01:07 PM	#3 (permalink)
jaco Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Houston Posts: 22	near 140,000 on engine. Great answers, thanks. How bout those pump ups? Would they cause harm or help locate leak? Is there a florescent dye I can add that will not hurt anything? I've used the dye that is added to crankcase on other vehicles but never added it into the water system.

01-19-2007, 09:54 PM	#4 (permalink)
duckblaster67 Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: South Dakota Posts: 23	My experience with the 3.8 is that it is indestructible, except for 1 problem...there is a plastic piece that leaks on the intake manifold that you should be able to get at any auto parts store. AERA has a bulletin on it.

01-20-2007, 11:40 AM	#6 (permalink)
Oldsfan Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 481	There is coolant dye that you can add, but I would think it if was leaking externally, you would be able to see/smell it. No aroma of burning coolant? No telltale puddles? The plastic thing duckblaster is referring to is below the throttle body, in the manifold. Called a nipple. They are made of plastic and the rotten things crack. Miserable design. I don't know what some of these engineers were thinking. New replacement part is metal. One of these went on my dad's '92 and they frequently go on the newer ones. I don't even have to look these up anymore. When a customer comes in with their tale of woe, I go right to the bin and that's what they want. But can't tell you the part number off the top of my head. I didn't think they used them on 90s. I'll have to look on Monday. Paul

01-25-2007, 05:55 AM	#7 (permalink)
Oldsfan Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 481	Olds only started using that plastic nipple in 98s and Toronados in '91, 88s in '92. Paul