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2004 pontiac grand prix 3.8 v6 OVERHEATING


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tylerluck
New User

Feb 6, 2012, 6:56 PM

Post #1 of 7 (20641 views)
  post locked   2004 pontiac grand prix 3.8 v6 OVERHEATING  

I have noticed antifreeze has been leaking from my 2004 pontiac grand prix for the last week or two. as i was on my way to work today, I went to pass a truck and trailer and heard a pop. when i looked in my rear view mirror I saw white smoke. the car didn't lose any power, in fact it almost seemed to have more power if that makes any sense. I stopped at a gas station and noticed that the antifreeze was leaking pretty good from under the passenger side of the engine. I looked under the hood and antifreeze was only on the passenger side, but it had sprayed everywhere. I headed home and the car would overheat in 5 minutes. the heater only blew cold air, and it took me 2 1/2 hours to make it home (30 miles). my father in law hasn't looked at it but he said it's probably a freeze plug. Any suggestions?


Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Feb 6, 2012, 7:02 PM

Post #2 of 7 (20609 views)
  post locked   Re: 2004 pontiac grand prix 3.8 v6 OVERHEATING  

 2 1/2 hours on an overheating engine with coolant pouring out of it. I'm highly surprised it got you home. Why didn't you have it towed? There is a possibility that you may have majorly damaged your engine.

You need to pressure test the coolant system to see where your leak is at. Don't crank or start the engine anymore till you repair the leak. Another possibility is the upper intake cracked around coolant passages for the throttle body and is allowing coolant to go down into the cylinders. There are a couple of elbows and the water pump on the passenger side you may want to check out also.





Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.

(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Feb 6, 2012, 7:10 PM)


tylerluck
New User

Feb 6, 2012, 7:08 PM

Post #3 of 7 (20601 views)
  post locked   Re: 2004 pontiac grand prix 3.8 v6 OVERHEATING  

I didnt drive it for 2 1/2 hours, Id go 5 miles, itd overheat and id pull over and turn it off for 30 minutes or so. could that still hurt the engine?


Discretesignals
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Feb 6, 2012, 7:11 PM

Post #4 of 7 (20597 views)
  post locked   Re: 2004 pontiac grand prix 3.8 v6 OVERHEATING  

Yes it can. Every time that thing overheats your scuffing the piston skirts, warping the heads to the point the gaskets can blow out, thinning the oil so it doesn't lubricate the bearings correctly. Not to mention overheating the transmission fluid because the cooler is inside the radiator.

You overheat a OHC motor and it can actually break a camshaft.





Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.

(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Feb 6, 2012, 7:17 PM)


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Feb 6, 2012, 7:24 PM

Post #5 of 7 (20593 views)
  post locked   Re: 2004 pontiac grand prix 3.8 v6 OVERHEATING  

A very common problem on that engine is a small plastic elbow that is connected to the belt tensioner which carries coolant on that one. If that is what failed, you will need both plastic elbows and possibly a tensioner too because it breaks off in the block when removed.





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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



CRISTINA
New User

Oct 11, 2012, 6:10 PM

Post #6 of 7 (17925 views)
  post locked   post icon Re: 2004 pontiac grand prix 3.8 v6 OVERHEATING  

HELLO, I am also working on a 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix with a 3.8 V6, and I did fine the elbow behind the Tensioner was leaking, upon removal the lower elbow of the alternator bracket also made out of plastic will break. I heard the dealer has metal ones in place of the plastic ones which came original from the factory! I would like to know is there any way to remove the broken pieces of plastic without damaging the housing because I prefer to replace the elbows instead of the complete racket assembly. Can anyone help!



(This post was edited by CRISTINA on Oct 11, 2012, 6:15 PM)


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Oct 11, 2012, 6:13 PM

Post #7 of 7 (17916 views)
  post locked   Re: 2004 pontiac grand prix 3.8 v6 OVERHEATING  

Please don't piggy back other peoples questions. If you need help with something, please start a new question of your own.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.







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