[coolcarstuff]

Sorry if this is the wrong forum.

I'm looking for some help diagnosing what's wrong with my car. I don't have the funds to bring this one to a professional, plus it's more of a project car anyway.

Basically it's having some issues idling. Sometimes at a stop sign or something the engine will shut off and need to be restarted, other times it will do fine sitting at a long light. I opened the hood and found a coolant leak(I don't know what else it would be) right away. (I'm thinking this could be causing the issue?). I've attached some pictures of where the leak appears to be coming from. I couldn't pinpoint the leak exactly, but was hoping someone might have an idea of what was going on, and where I need to start.

If it is difficult to tell from the pictures, this is coming from the front of the engine, behind the serpentine belt.

 

[Injuneer]

The most common problem with the 3.8L V6 is the plastic coolant elbows. See if these threads help:

http://www.firebirdnation.com/forums/topic/515761-found-a-coolant-leak-what-is-this-part/?hl=%2Bplastic+%2Belbow#entry1274393

http://www.firebirdnation.com/forums/topic/506817-strange-water-pump-leak/?hl=%2Bplastic+%2Belbow#entry1229249

To find more similar threads, do a "search" on "plastic elbow"

The 3.8: V6 is also notorious for leaks in the gasket between the upper and lower portions of the intake manifold. That might cause misfires and may contaminate the oil. GM has issued a technical service bulletin:

• TSB 03-06-01-016 covers intake manifold leaks on 2000-2003 3.8L engines.

Is your coolant dropping fast, when you check the radiator?

At any point, with regard to the rough idle, have you scanned the PCM for codes?.

 

[coolcarstuff]

The most common problem with the 3.8L V6 is the plastic coolant elbows. See if these threads help:

http://www.firebirdnation.com/forums/topic/515761-found-a-coolant-leak-what-is-this-part/?hl=%2Bplastic+%2Belbow#entry1274393

http://www.firebirdnation.com/forums/topic/506817-strange-water-pump-leak/?hl=%2Bplastic+%2Belbow#entry1229249

To find more similar threads, do a "search" on "plastic elbow"

The 3.8: V6 is also notorious for leaks in the gasket between the upper and lower portions of the intake manifold. That might cause misfires and may contaminate the oil. GM has issued a technical service bulletin:

• TSB 03-06-01-016 covers intake manifold leaks on 2000-2003 3.8L engines.

Is your coolant dropping fast, when you check the radiator?

At any point, with regard to the rough idle, have you scanned the PCM for codes?.

Thanks for your reply!

I had a shop take a look for free. (I told them I was thinking about them having work) They also told me there was a leak in the intake manifold gasket. I've ordered a replacement gasket that I will install in two weeks (Spring break).

Coolant isn't dropping all that fast actually, but I've noticed several other (seemingly leaky) spots since posting. (Could it be worse then just the gasket?)

I'll read through those posts and see if they help.

I have not scanned for codes yet. It's midterms now, so I've been pressed for time, will be until the break.

I'll update this thread though once the intake manifold gasket has been replaced.

 

[Injuneer]

Let's try moving this to the V6 forum. Seems hard to get any help from the 3.8L V6 members. They know a lot more about it than I do.