Pouring coolant

[Conflict]

Well today was going very well until this

After work I arrive home to see smoke coming out of the hood, I open the hood and I can't see the engine through the smoke. I then turn the car off and notice coolant where I just backed up from. I look under the car to see coolant coming out a few drops at time from right under the engine.

Paraphrase
-Smoke from engine bay
-coolant dripping out quickly
-Temp gauge said it was at 212 or so
-smells like coolant
-car running good

Ideas on what this could be would be very helpful

its a 97 V6 3.8L 5 speed Firebird

[02transamce]

did you check your oil?is it looks like chocolate milk you have problems.if not check your hoses for leaks,check around the water pump for leaks.had a 96 v6 firebird that acted like this once,checked oil,found the oil looked like chocolate milk which indicates coolant in the combustion chamber,traded firebird next day,dealer gave me 1500 for the firebird,he did not check the oil first,guess he thought he got over on me by giving me a lowball trade in,joke was on him.lol. hope you just have a simple coolant leak issue,mine ran like crap after about 20 miles so maybe you do not have the same problem.

[Too Fast]

Sure sounds like a water pump on your 3.8. If you've never done one, I don't advise trying. Go somewhere if it isn't leaking too bad, and have it checked. Make sure you have it as full as possible before driving, 50/50 mix of Dexcool (or equivalent). If you see it pouring out from the leak almost as fast as it is going in, don't drive it. If not, pay attention to steam from your car and the gauge. 212 is not overheating, over 235 is. BTW, glad to see you have a 5 speed car, makes it much more fun to drive, eh?

[Smittro]

Lower intake manifold gasket IMHO. Common with the 3800... And not very much fun to change either...

[Too Fast]

^^^yes that's common also.

[bluehawk2000]

I had a problem of that same nature on my 97 firebird, check the coolant return hose clam it should be right under the intake elbow going towards your air box, what happend to me is the actual clamp somehow come undone and the whole hose come off check that.

[Numba1TA]

sounds like your water pump is leaking had same thing happen to me

[Conflict]

I'll start looking around... the leak was orange stuff though, didn't feel like oil was in it.

O I know 212 isn't overheating, that's why I didn't think about it while driving

[Smittro]

I'll start looking around... the leak was orange stuff though, didn't feel like oil was in it.

O I know 212 isn't overheating, that's why I didn't think about it while driving

I used to run between 200-210* steady in mine too. I changed over to a lighter 5w30 motor oil and now she maintains a cooler 180-190* and seems to have better throttle responce now. Just something to maybe think about when you get your coolant issue ironed out..

[Conflict]

Update

the car was low on coolant in the radiator, so it was only coolant, whew

[creeper]

still have to find what caused it haha, possibly thermostat sticking

[0rion]

that much coolant getting on the manifolds would make me check the hoses first. Let the car cool down and clean everything up then start it and keep an eye on everything and see where it's coming from. I would look at the hoses and water pump first. There's a weep hole in the bottom of the pump that it could be leaking out of.

[Orcus79]

I'm with Orion on this one. You just don't suddenly loose coolant and that much steam is not good, Thats usually caused by a loss of pressure in the system and the liquid flash boiling.

My first guess is a hose let go some where. Should be easy to find where.

[Cutlass]

And be careful, coolant can start on fire also, I've seen it. At least the green coolant can, not sure if Dexcool does

[Conflict]

Update

tested it today, I refilled the coolant, let it run, and the car was cooling itself just fine (would hit 212 or so, go down, go to 212 again, go down, etc). I had running probably 30 minutes. I noticed a small leak somewhere behind (and above) the Steering Column. Narrowed it down to being the Water Pump or the line connecting to it. Progress! still runs great

O and I will switch to 5W-30 next oil change, I live in a desert and I could see the temp. running lower would be good

[Conflict]

Update

It has to be the water pump, that's were the leak was and its making some kind of chirping noise, must have a broken fan. Can't wait to be able to afford it...

[creeper]

water pump is a pretty cheap/easy fix. they're only like $30-50 for your car. that plus $30 in coolant and a thermostat while you're there and you're out the door for under $100.

[excrider121]

Sure sounds like a water pump on your 3.8. If you've never done one, I don't advise trying. Go somewhere if it isn't leaking too bad, and have it checked. Make sure you have it as full as possible before driving, 50/50 mix of Dexcool (or equivalent). If you see it pouring out from the leak almost as fast as it is going in, don't drive it. If not, pay attention to steam from your car and the gauge. 212 is not overheating, over 235 is. BTW, glad to see you have a 5 speed car, makes it much more fun to drive, eh?

The 3.8 waterpumps are pretty easy, if you know how to use a ratchet you shouldn't have a problem.

Btw, Dexcool = evil. Get rid of that shit.

[Conflict]

This thread is dead lol, New one is up

[Cutlass]

Btw, Dexcool = evil. Get rid of that shit.

I've said this over and over again, there's nothing wrong with Dexcool.