PontiacBonnevilleClub.com

Within the past week I've noticed some sketchy things going on with my Bonneville. We just replaced the radiator and now I have coolant leaking from the Transmission coolant line I believe? There is thread sealer, the bolt is tight and all of that. Also the upper coolant hose has created a bulge by the elbow going into the engine. Results of over pressurization? Another problem is I have oil leaking from the plenum I believe, Around the valve gasket cover is all dry and it looks like it coming from the plenum but only in the front, I can see oil in the little pockets (Pic). I've read it can be caused by a clogged PCV valve. Guessing I should replace the upper intake manifold gasket? What do you guys think? Are these related, separate? Also when I warmed my car up this morning I walked out and smelt burning, I popped the hood and I had stem coming from under the front exhaust bank.

Unrelated issue not related to the engine. My HVAC does not change settings well, thinking of replacing all the actuators. How much of my dash do I have to rip out to easily get to all of these?

replace the thermostat and upper hose and flush the coolant. as for the coolant from the trans cooler double check all the fittings. and getting to the heater box isnt a quick job the whole dash has to come apart.

Bump bump bumpity bump

Id say the trans line into the radiator might not be tight enough. when I put a new radiator and trans lines in my 88 i had this same problem, i ended up just wrenching the fitting tighter and it has been good ever since.

That bolt is very tight which is why I think it's leaking from around the fitting even thought the radiator is new because its over pressurized because the bulge the top hose has

Well the bulge is most likely just a hose failure pressure in the coolant system would not cause that fitting to leak, the trans cooler is a completely seperate system.

Hmm, well as of right now it looks like its leaking from around the flanges around the threads and not the threads. So hopefully my new radiator isn't bad and I have to put another one in, I'm going to pressure test it to see where exactly its coming out from. Anyone have input on the intake oil leak?

did you replace the radiator yourself? i replaced mine and the pin that holds the trans line into the radiator was important. when you took out your radiator did you lose the pin? did the new one just *click* in? there really should have been no reason to loosen any type of "bolt" with the trans line when replacing the radiator.

What pin are you talking about? I did do it myself, there's a threaded fitting that threads into the radiator then the trans line threads into that I believe. Where would the pin be located

i never had anything to thread. here is a link to what i am talking about, the arrow points to a sort of pin that goes around the line and locks it in. litterally i stuck 2 flat head mini screw drivers in there and popped it out and the trans-line into the radiator just pulled right out, no threading.

then when i got the new radiator, i just just put the pin back into the new radiator spot and pushed the line in and it *clicked* in. i do have an ssei but i dont think it would be different.

i will put a link to the picture.

i would love someone to confirm what i did is correct, it has worked for me over 2000 miles driving and i didnt have to screw or thread anything in.



http://imgur.com/jvJPpT0

I think it would depend on the radiator bought. The one i got i would of had to thread in the fittings from the original to clip the lines in. My radiator was a custom one with SSEi endtanks and a gxp core so idk if that would effect the fittings it had or if thats just a brand thing.

Murdermitten: I just realized i missread the coolant leak problem before. I thought you had tranny fluid leaking. The problem is that the black "nut" thing is a little loose or its gasket was damaged. You can use a crescent wrench or some channel locks to tighten it a bit. Should be standard right hand thread. That should seal the internal cooler to the plastic tank better.

ya maybe its just a different radiator, i would still see, not sure.