Coolant leak in a 3.8

[YGspider]

This weekend I changed the Thermostat and about 3 days latter the car is leaking Coolant what are the probable causes? Im hoping for loose hooses and not a water pump. Its not the head gaskets but the engine is leakin towards the front.

 

[Lorenzo]

This weekend I changed the Thermostat and about 3 days latter the car is leaking Coolant what are the probable causes? Im hoping for loose hooses and not a water pump. Its not the head gaskets but the engine is leakin towards the front.

Well i had mine leaking around the front of the engine aswell with my 305. Turned out it was a bad water pump. Replaced that and viola no more leaking!

 

[bill]

I would spray the wet areas down with brake clean and then look for the leak....also, if the water pump is leaking, it will drip on the lower pulley and can get slung all over the hood/ engine bay. Park over a dry area or use a catch pan on flat ground and see where the drips are concentrated. Did you change temps on the thermostat? What did the outlet/ housing look like when you changed the t-stat? did you use a gasket or sealant?

 

[YGspider]

I would spray the wet areas down with brake clean and then look for the leak....also, if the water pump is leaking, it will drip on the lower pulley and can get slung all over the hood/ engine bay. Park over a dry area or use a catch pan on flat ground and see where the drips are concentrated. Did you change temps on the thermostat? What did the outlet/ housing look like when you changed the t-stat? did you use a gasket or sealant?

i dont know the Orginal thermostat temps but the new one is a 160 and I used a new gasket but no sealant.

 

[foxtrot]

It's probably the thermostat housing since it started leaking after your job. Also, isn't a 160 degree thermostat too cool for a stock ECM controlled 3.8?

 

[bill]

I would spray the wet areas down with brake clean and then look for the leak....also, if the water pump is leaking, it will drip on the lower pulley and can get slung all over the hood/ engine bay. Park over a dry area or use a catch pan on flat ground and see where the drips are concentrated. Did you change temps on the thermostat? What did the outlet/ housing look like when you changed the t-stat? did you use a gasket or sealant?

i dont know the Orginal thermostat temps but the new one is a 160 and I used a new gasket but no sealant.

Check the bolts on the housing...make sure they are good and tight.... just dont strip them. I always use a small amount of rtv sealant with a gasket on water pumps, t-stats... just for added measure. Never had any leaks...so I know it works.

 

[Evan11]

It's probably the thermostat housing since it started leaking after your job. Also, isn't a 160 degree thermostat too cool for a stock ECM controlled 3.8?

Yeah it is. He needs a 190-195.