How to Check for Cooling System Leaks in a Pontiac Grand Prix

Driving your Pontiac Grand Prix with a leaky cooling system can damage the car's engine and result in a hefty repair bill. You can catch these leaks before they become a serious issue, if you know what to look for. Checking for cooling system leaks is simple and requires no in-depth mechanical knowledge; just follow a few simple steps.

Instructions

1

Move the Pontiac Grand Prix from its normal parking space and check the ground for signs of a cooling system leak. Because coolant comes in bright colors like orange, red, green and blue, a leak is easy to spot.

2

Prop open the hood to check the water pump and the gasket seal for leaks. The water pump is between the radiator and the engine, behind the engine fan. The gasket seal is what securely connects the water pump to the engine block. Look for any corrosion, discoloration or fresh coolant on these auto parts.

3

Examine the hoses that connect the radiator to the engine and the engine to the heater core. Inspect each of the hoses for bulging, splitting and cracking. In addition, check where each hose connects to the cooling system, as they can loosen due to engine vibration. Again, look for fresh coolant, discoloration or corrosion on the hoses.

4

Take a flashlight and scan the Pontiac Grand Prix's radiator for leaks. Because of the construction material used for the radiator, it can leak from anywhere, unlike the engine or heater core. Be sure to check the underside of the radiator as it could've sustained damage from rocks and road debris while driving.

5

Remove the radiator cap and fill the radiator with fresh coolant until it's within an inch from overflowing. Be certain that radiator is cool to the touch before you open it. Opening a radiator when hot or warm can cause an eruption and burn anyone in the area. The safest way to remove the cap is to twist it one full turn, step back, wait a few minutes and then remove the cap completely.

6

Start the Pontiac Grand Prix and set the heater to high. Allow it run for about 15 minutes. Then, switch off the engine and examine the auto parts from the previous steps for leaks. If you still can't find a leak, then it's most likely an internal leak and you should take the car to a cooling system specialist for further diagnostics.