LIM coolant elbow!

while it's off you'll want to clean the hole for the second O-ring on the back of the tensioner assembly.

I didn't pull it all the way off just forward about a inch. I had to clean the hole on the assembly out because the elbow broke coming out. The elbow, I would say it was the original, by the way it looked, with silicone in it. Instead of fixing it they sealed the leak before. It was dry rotted. I am pretty much done with everything but the belt and the T hose right above the elbow, dry rotted also, broke after barely touching it. I've only had the car 3 years, So far only 2 break downs. Water pump and crank sensor, I'm just trying to take care of the little things now. Last being my oil leak, Oil pan and valve cover.

I don't wish any bad luck upon you, but Derek was pointing out that there is another, hidden connection on the back of the tensioner/bracket, where it connects to the front of the head, and you may be setting yourself up for another leak...

I have checked and as of now I can't find a leak anywhere at all. But the low coolant light came back on. Fluid looks fine so I have no idea why it is on now. Where exactly is this sensor located at?

It's by the radiator cap on top of the radiator.

Actually, it's halfway down the radiator tank on that side... You'll probably need a flashlight to see it.
If the radiator is anywhere near full, you've either got a bad sensor or a short to ground somewhere.
I'd give it a few days to turn itself off, then try unplugging it...

BTW: You are checking the radiator itself, not just the overflow tank, right?

I'm checking the radiator, you know the big thing in the front of the car....
Sorry about that I get asked questions like that all the time just because I am female. It gets old quick, I do all the work on my car.

Joby70739 wrote:

I'm checking the radiator, you know the big thing in the front of the car....
Sorry about that I get asked questions like that all the time just because I am female. It gets old quick, I do all the work on my car.

I assure you, your sex had nothing to do with that last question - I assume that everyone is a moron...

Thank you, thank you, I'm appearing here all week!
But seriously folks, after several decades of manufacturers warning buyers to never EVER open the radiator, only
the recovery tank, it really is a fair question.

my plastic elbow coming off the intake manifold is leakin<96 sc> the replacment comes with two plastic elbows anyone know where the other one is? if its close by ill change it while im their,thanks steve

Im pretty sure you can find them in steel. look for those.as to the location,i dont know. I have a 95

Depending on what style tensioner your car has, you may only need one. I know my 97 only has the one plastic elbow. (2001 gtp I worked on has two) The other is non-removable; it's part of the tensioner casting. You can probably get a new o-ring for it though although my o-ring lasted basically the life of the tensioner itsself.

im pretty sure he replaced the tensioner..so i dont think its needed on this car...thanks!
i know he put new belts and idler

The second elbow is for a different 3800. Our tensioner assy has that elbow built in, if you ever have to take the tensioner assy off you'll find the post. If you look at a W-body you'll see where the other elbow is used.

Yep. The only elbow you need is the one that's fat on both ends, given that you bought the HELP! kit.

josh got it fixed and the new green SC coupler in.
gonna order some rockers here soon and replace he LIM gaskets while im at it

how hard is it to replace this? and what all do i need to remove i actaully have all the parts to do it i was going to wait till i did my heads but im loseing almost 1/2 a gallon a day and i only drive maybe 35 miles a day

It's easiest to pull the alternator bracket off. (it contains the coolant passages to the hoses). Give yourself 2 hours start to finish. The elbows are in any self respecting auto parts stores, in the 'Help' section.

Be VERY SURE you got all of the old broken plastic pieces out. You may need to root around inside the intake manifold and the alternator bracket with a pick or very small screwdriver.

When I had this problem on the riv I went ahead and replaced the belt tensioner assembly along with the 2 coolant elbows. The original elbows were baked on and were giving me trouble but once removed it was a breeze. I noticed that there was play in the belt and decided it was a good time to replace the tensioner.

chitown_riv98 wrote:

When I had this problem on the riv I went ahead and replaced the belt tensioner assembly along with the 2 coolant elbows. The original elbows were baked on and were giving me trouble but once removed it was a breeze. I noticed that there was play in the belt and decided it was a good time to replace the tensioner.

If you go this route the tensioner comes with the two coolant elbows that you will need. Check out this thread https://rivperformance.editboard.com/t7519p15-write-up-replacing-accessory-belt-tensioner.

l purchased the elbows from the Help section at Advance as well as the belt tensioner assembly. I didn't realize that the tensioner came with the elbows.I have an extra set of coolant elbows in my spare Rivi parts drawer. I don't see how they didn't make the elbows from some type of metal.

The hose that ls directly below the supercharger dry rotted and managed to blow its self to pieces!!! My question is what is it and what do I ask for at the parts store to replace it???? Would love some input!! Thanks

Do you mean the plastic elbow? Or the lower radiator hose? What year is your car?

The plastic elbow comes out of the lower intake manifold, makes a 90 degree turn into the alternator bracket on '96-'99 cars. Not sure how the '95 does it but it's a whole different motor.

Those plastic elbows are in stock in just about every auto parts store, usually in the "Help" section. Most of the time it will be in a two-pack, one with a slightly different shape.

Unfortunately you'll have to remove the alternator bracket (or the lower intake manifold) to replace the elbow. If this is it, MAKE SURE you get all the old pieces out. This is not as easy as it sounds. They can be really stuck in there, you'll need a good pick, an inspection mirror and light, and a lot of patience to make absolutely sure you got all the pieces of the old elbow.

Dave1998riv wrote:

The hose that ls directly below the supercharger dry rotted and managed to blow its self to pieces!!! My question is what is it and what do I ask for at the parts store to replace it???? Would love some input!! Thanks

As Derek says the plastic elbows are available in the HELP section at most auto parts stores. You have a 1998. This SC arrangement was used for several years after 1998; to avoid uncertainty you can ask at a dealer. The GM P/N is probably 24503423 and it's definitely less than $15. However, if you just go buy the Dorman HELP kit 260608 it's $3 to $5.

If it is one of the radiator hoses you are looking for they are widely available, just get it from a parts store or a dealer. Given the age of the car, the dealers probably just get them (elbows and hoses) from a local NAPA or CarQuest anyway.

my elbo peice busted on me just 15 min ago. right at the elbo. i was not sure if it ran directly to the intake or not cause i couldnt find any other broken peices laying around. so the elbo runs from the belt tensioner to the intake??? if you can post a pic of this so im 100% sure were on same subject