tommybanzai

I was changing the oil in my 2004 3.4 Impala with 100K+ miles on it when I discovered that it was leaking some antifreeze from somewhere. At first I noticed it dripping out from the aluminum subframe holes. Upon furth research, it dosn't seem like any of the hoses are leaking. Once the engine is started and idling, i can see some of it leaking on the side of the block behind the pulley system. There is not much room to peak around in the Impala, so I am thinkng I might have to start remoing a few items to get a better look. Any ideas or thoughts are gretly appreciated.

Thanks In Advance.

Tom

barbwire

It could be waterpump if ieaking behind pulley James

tommybanzai

Thats what I am gussing. I am going to dig into it more in the next few days. Anyone ever change one on an Impala? Is it as easy as romving tension on the tension pulley...slipping off the belt...the nuts and bolts for removal?

tobinator23

Hey Tom

I've had the same problem with coolant leaking on the same side of the motor. I replaced the waterpump, and all the gaskets on that side, and a few others that I had to take off to get to the pump. I put everything back together to discover it was still leaking, although not as much as it did before changing the pump. It turns out above the water pump there is a small plastic elbow that's about 2 inches long and bent at a right angle. I took this piece out, and one of the ends had broken off in the block!! luckily, I was able to get it out with some patience and my pinky finger.

The part is only a few bucks, and you don't have to take anything apart to get to it. I would start there. replacing the water pump and gaskets isn't terribly expensive, and takes the better course of an afternoon to tackle by yourself.