Complications after messing with coolant elbows

Series I L27 (1992-1994 SE,SLE, SSE) & Series II L36 (1995-1999 SE, SSE, SLE) and common problems for the Series I and II L67 (all supercharged models 92-99) Including Olds 88's, Olds LSS's, Olds 98 91-96, Buick Lesabres and Park Avenue 91-96. Please use General Chat for non-mechanical issues, and Performance and Brainstorming for improvements.
User avatar
zuper8
Posts like an L67
Posts like an L67
Posts: 1219
Joined: Fri May 23, 2008 12:26 am
Year and Trim: 96 SSEi- 157K
Location: Charlotte, NC

Complications after messing with coolant elbows

Post by zuper8 »

Replaced upper plastic coolant elbow last week. Noticed it losing coolant throughout the week, it was coming from the aluminum elbow. Put a new seal on aluminum elbow plus RTV. *dang* thing leaks like a faucet. poke around and notice this

Image

sorry about the crappy pic, but if you can see there's a crack at the bottom of this hole that goes all the way into the inlet.

i thought that was part of the WP but it's the thingy (derrrr) the WP bolts to.
- Rachael
Image
Bob Dillon
Retired Gearhead
Retired Gearhead
Posts: 1854
Joined: Wed May 21, 2008 9:38 pm
Year and Trim: 1997 SE Anniversary Edition

Re: Complications after messing with coolant elbows

Post by Bob Dillon »

Looks like J-B Weld time to me.

ETA: You DID use the O-ring, right?
Last edited by Bob Dillon on Sat Apr 04, 2009 6:07 pm, edited 1 time in total.
462 cubic inches of REAL Pontiac power.
Image
User avatar
zuper8
Posts like an L67
Posts like an L67
Posts: 1219
Joined: Fri May 23, 2008 12:26 am
Year and Trim: 96 SSEi- 157K
Location: Charlotte, NC

Re: Complications after messing with coolant elbows

Post by zuper8 »

yeah, i put a new o-ring on.
- Rachael
Image
User avatar
harofreak00
Administrator
Administrator
Posts: 26022
Joined: Mon May 19, 2008 6:04 pm
Year and Trim: 2004 GXP - plus a handful of other Bonnevilles
Location: Browerville, MN
Contact:

Re: Complications after messing with coolant elbows

Post by harofreak00 »

If you can't get that fixed with JB Weld, you are looking at a very expensive repair :(
Andrew - owner/operator of Bonnevilles Unlimited
Image
2004 Bonneville GXP | 60k | White Gold Tricoat | custom built supercharged 3800 hot rod | garage queen
1997 Corvette | 57k | Silver Metallic | Z06 wheels | Date-night Hauler/Parts runner
2014 Town & Country Limited | Cashmere Pearl | 115k | Family Hauler
2002 Ram 1500 Quad Cab Sport | Black| 280k | Official Bonneville Hauler
User avatar
zuper8
Posts like an L67
Posts like an L67
Posts: 1219
Joined: Fri May 23, 2008 12:26 am
Year and Trim: 96 SSEi- 157K
Location: Charlotte, NC

Re: Complications after messing with coolant elbows

Post by zuper8 »

harofreak00 wrote:If you can't get that fixed with JB Weld, you are looking at a very expensive repair :(
yikes... that's what i'm afraid of. i can't even find the part. i guess it's the front cover.

would jb weld work in an area that gets really hot like that?
- Rachael
Image
tripscarcare95
Posts like a Northstar
Posts like a Northstar
Posts: 1730
Joined: Fri May 23, 2008 2:54 am
Year and Trim: 1995 SSei
1987 GN 16K Original

Re: Complications after messing with coolant elbows

Post by tripscarcare95 »

I have seen JB weld work on a cracked transmission drain plug (over tightend the drain plug on a 5.0 mustang tranny, it cracked the housing, JB weld, and so far so good)

Try it you really have nothing to loose, just rough up the area so the JB can "bite" into the metal.

good luck :wink:
Image
User avatar
zuper8
Posts like an L67
Posts like an L67
Posts: 1219
Joined: Fri May 23, 2008 12:26 am
Year and Trim: 96 SSEi- 157K
Location: Charlotte, NC

Re: Complications after messing with coolant elbows

Post by zuper8 »

man that crack went back farther than i realized.... put on a nice smooth layer of JB weld after some sanding, but it had to be thin so the pipe would still go in. do people usually glop it on? i might put more on the underside but that's all i can do
- Rachael
Image
tripscarcare95
Posts like a Northstar
Posts like a Northstar
Posts: 1730
Joined: Fri May 23, 2008 2:54 am
Year and Trim: 1995 SSei
1987 GN 16K Original

Re: Complications after messing with coolant elbows

Post by tripscarcare95 »

let the thin set, and maybe goop on a little bit thicker once the first layer has dried, let that cure and fire it up and watch for leaks.
Image
trf_ssei
GXP Member
GXP Member
Posts: 272
Joined: Sat May 24, 2008 10:43 am
Year and Trim: 1998 bonneville SSEi

Re: Complications after messing with coolant elbows

Post by trf_ssei »

my buddy and i broke a chunk out of the cover on his old crown vic the part that the waterpump bolted to and circulated thru. anyways we cleaned it up used a die grinder to bevel the edges and used JB on it and it went 100 000 km about and then blew a rod thru the oil pan. but the JB fix lasted longer than the vehicle did. lol
If it were quick and easy everyone would be doing it!
User avatar
willwren
Retired Admin
Retired Admin
Posts: 65489
Joined: Sun May 18, 2008 11:07 pm
Year and Trim: .
93 SSEi
95 SLE (SC)
97 Buick LeSabre
Location: Oregon WCBF'04, '05, '06, '07, '08, '09, '10, '11 Survivor
Contact:

Re: Complications after messing with coolant elbows

Post by willwren »

The only way to do that with JB is remove material first, then fill back in. You have to make it smooth (sanding) or the ring won't seal. I doubt it will work. That aluminum will expand and contract with heat cycles. JB weld will too, but not at the same rate. As they expand and contract at different rates, they will break the bond.
Image
Click here for mod list for both cars
93 SSEi, 95 SLE (supercharged) 97 Buick LeSabre Limited
PontiacDad at WCBF '04: Cruise control? That's like surrendering!
Comprehensive guide to troubleshooting, rebuilding, and modifying Eaton Superchargers
User avatar
zuper8
Posts like an L67
Posts like an L67
Posts: 1219
Joined: Fri May 23, 2008 12:26 am
Year and Trim: 96 SSEi- 157K
Location: Charlotte, NC

Re: Complications after messing with coolant elbows

Post by zuper8 »

dammit you're right. uuuuugh guess i gotta look for a timing cover. runs to andrew's 96 parting out thread
- Rachael
Image
Bob Dillon
Retired Gearhead
Retired Gearhead
Posts: 1854
Joined: Wed May 21, 2008 9:38 pm
Year and Trim: 1997 SE Anniversary Edition

Re: Complications after messing with coolant elbows

Post by Bob Dillon »

zuper8 wrote:dammit you're right. uuuuugh guess i gotta look for a timing cover. runs to andrew's 96 parting out thread
Know anybody that welds aluminum? A few touches with a TIG oughta do it. I've even seen some aluminum solder that works pretty well.

http://www.durafix.com/
462 cubic inches of REAL Pontiac power.
Image
User avatar
harofreak00
Administrator
Administrator
Posts: 26022
Joined: Mon May 19, 2008 6:04 pm
Year and Trim: 2004 GXP - plus a handful of other Bonnevilles
Location: Browerville, MN
Contact:

Re: Complications after messing with coolant elbows

Post by harofreak00 »

I doubt anyone is gonna be able to weld it for as cheap as I sold the part ($20).

Its going to have to come off the car regardless.
Andrew - owner/operator of Bonnevilles Unlimited
Image
2004 Bonneville GXP | 60k | White Gold Tricoat | custom built supercharged 3800 hot rod | garage queen
1997 Corvette | 57k | Silver Metallic | Z06 wheels | Date-night Hauler/Parts runner
2014 Town & Country Limited | Cashmere Pearl | 115k | Family Hauler
2002 Ram 1500 Quad Cab Sport | Black| 280k | Official Bonneville Hauler
Bob Dillon
Retired Gearhead
Retired Gearhead
Posts: 1854
Joined: Wed May 21, 2008 9:38 pm
Year and Trim: 1997 SE Anniversary Edition

Re: Complications after messing with coolant elbows

Post by Bob Dillon »

harofreak00 wrote:I doubt anyone is gonna be able to weld it for as cheap as I sold the part ($20).

Its going to have to come off the car regardless.
Wouldn't even mess with it if a $20 part is available. :banana:
462 cubic inches of REAL Pontiac power.
Image
User avatar
willwren
Retired Admin
Retired Admin
Posts: 65489
Joined: Sun May 18, 2008 11:07 pm
Year and Trim: .
93 SSEi
95 SLE (SC)
97 Buick LeSabre
Location: Oregon WCBF'04, '05, '06, '07, '08, '09, '10, '11 Survivor
Contact:

Re: Complications after messing with coolant elbows

Post by willwren »

It's still going to be fairly involved either way. The 92-99 TA mount is a PITA for this job. I'd much rather do it on a 2k.
Image
Click here for mod list for both cars
93 SSEi, 95 SLE (supercharged) 97 Buick LeSabre Limited
PontiacDad at WCBF '04: Cruise control? That's like surrendering!
Comprehensive guide to troubleshooting, rebuilding, and modifying Eaton Superchargers
User avatar
zuper8
Posts like an L67
Posts like an L67
Posts: 1219
Joined: Fri May 23, 2008 12:26 am
Year and Trim: 96 SSEi- 157K
Location: Charlotte, NC

Re: Complications after messing with coolant elbows

Post by zuper8 »

yeah i'm familiar with the TA mount. although i kind of get some joy out of beating the crap out of it when it won't budge. i'm more worried about the harmonic balancer now.
- Rachael
Image
User avatar
harofreak00
Administrator
Administrator
Posts: 26022
Joined: Mon May 19, 2008 6:04 pm
Year and Trim: 2004 GXP - plus a handful of other Bonnevilles
Location: Browerville, MN
Contact:

Re: Complications after messing with coolant elbows

Post by harofreak00 »

HB is easy if you have the right puller and the 3- M6x1 80mm bolts
Andrew - owner/operator of Bonnevilles Unlimited
Image
2004 Bonneville GXP | 60k | White Gold Tricoat | custom built supercharged 3800 hot rod | garage queen
1997 Corvette | 57k | Silver Metallic | Z06 wheels | Date-night Hauler/Parts runner
2014 Town & Country Limited | Cashmere Pearl | 115k | Family Hauler
2002 Ram 1500 Quad Cab Sport | Black| 280k | Official Bonneville Hauler
User avatar
zuper8
Posts like an L67
Posts like an L67
Posts: 1219
Joined: Fri May 23, 2008 12:26 am
Year and Trim: 96 SSEi- 157K
Location: Charlotte, NC

Re: Complications after messing with coolant elbows

Post by zuper8 »

aright ya'll, here's my list of stuff:

timing cover (in the mail, gonna arrive tomorrow, thanks haro!)
timing cover gasket set
HB puller with the m6x1.0 long bolts
24" breaker bar for the HB bolt/ nut/ thingy
strong male friends on retainer
beer
cuss words

am i missing things? ooo, one thing i should prolly get is an inch pounds torque wrench, right? or will i not need that?
- Rachael
Image
User avatar
harofreak00
Administrator
Administrator
Posts: 26022
Joined: Mon May 19, 2008 6:04 pm
Year and Trim: 2004 GXP - plus a handful of other Bonnevilles
Location: Browerville, MN
Contact:

Re: Complications after messing with coolant elbows

Post by harofreak00 »

Got a socket big enough for the HB bolt? I think its a 24mm
Andrew - owner/operator of Bonnevilles Unlimited
Image
2004 Bonneville GXP | 60k | White Gold Tricoat | custom built supercharged 3800 hot rod | garage queen
1997 Corvette | 57k | Silver Metallic | Z06 wheels | Date-night Hauler/Parts runner
2014 Town & Country Limited | Cashmere Pearl | 115k | Family Hauler
2002 Ram 1500 Quad Cab Sport | Black| 280k | Official Bonneville Hauler
Jrs3800
Retired Admin/Techinfo Admin
Retired Admin/Techinfo Admin
Posts: 26009
Joined: Mon May 19, 2008 2:08 pm
Year and Trim: 03 SLE, 95 SE, 95 TS SE
Location: Space Coast, or at least it used to be

Re: Complications after messing with coolant elbows

Post by Jrs3800 »

zuper8 wrote:aright ya'll, here's my list of stuff:

timing cover (in the mail, gonna arrive tomorrow, thanks haro!)
timing cover gasket set
HB puller with the m6x1.0 long bolts
24" breaker bar for the HB bolt/ nut/ thingy
strong male friends on retainer
beer
cuss words

am i missing things? ooo, one thing i should prolly get is an inch pounds torque wrench, right? or will i not need that?

Ohhhh I see ... I'm not invited... Fine... LOL

24 MM like Andrew said... will you have air tools where you will be working on the car? It will make things much easier.. Being that you will have the front cover off for replacement it will be a good time to replace the timing chain and inspect or replace the timing chain tensioner..

Good Luck Rachael
Last edited by Jrs3800 on Tue Apr 07, 2009 2:33 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Post Reply