vangirl

I have a 1993 Chevrolet G20 Tiara Conversion van that has a leak near the front passenger side bumper. I have had replaced the following regarding antifreeze in the past six months:

Intake Gasket
Water Pump X3
Heater Hose clamps
new radiator cap

I keep taking it to the garage, they pressure test it, and then "think" they have found the problem but I get it home and it still has the leak. The temperature the other times has risen to almost the middle which was an indicator to me something was wrong and then I stopped and looked and saw leaking. After the most recent replacement of radiator cap, I am noticing the temp is not going up as much, but I am still noticing the familiar leak - passenger side near the left bumper. Any ideas as to what this could be? I have to travel home in a month or so (1600 miles) with my son and my pets and I can't have something like this happening.

Thanks much,
Sabrina

kevinkpk

Is there a drain valve on that side? My Lumina has a plastic drain plug on the drivers side. I have had it a few times leave a small puddle, about 1/2 cup. Iv'e never seen anything like this be intermittent, but nothing above it is wet. I bought a new valve yesterday, and as soon as OSU Iowa State game is over I'm going to replace it.

vangirl

I am not sure if I have a drain plug on the passenger side or not.

kevinkpk

You are going to have to locate the leak.

vangirl

Well that's why I'm here....these so called mechanics in town are having trouble locating it. I am looking for other ppl who have maybe had the same experience and perhaps let me know of other things it could be in the passenger area....

NLB

Sounds like there is a small hole or leak that expands under pressure (and leaks) and then contracts and seals when you take a look. I'm surprised your mechanic can't find it...sometimes it happens like that. I would also try a different mechanic, not because of incompetence, but sometimes they're just unlucky when looking around in there and it's not doing it at that time.

Good luck.

lunghd

*doh!*

I think he was saying you're going to have to throw down some cardboard, crawl underneath & find the source of the drip by eyeballing it. Just be careful if it's one of those things that only happens when the engine is hot. (Again - *doh!*)

My old G20 ruptured one of the plastic tanks & had a mystery drip that wasn't from the core (metal fins / cooling area), cap, hoses or drain valve. Rupture was in the plastic tank area itself & I had to locate it the hard way.