Michael, yep, I agree except that I replaced it twice already. It was in fact a hole in the timing cover caused by a failing water pump that was rubbing on the inside of the cover and had worn it paper thin. Once the cover was off I was able to push my finger through the cover where the tiny hole was. The pulley was rubbing against the outside of the pump too.
You know house water pressure via your garden hose can be 50 to 100+ psi... your car's coolant system runs at like 15psi. You're begging for new leaks in your radiator or heater core.
It wasn't too bad and not too expensive either. About $65 for a used cover. Pretty easy to take off and install. The biggest trick for me was keeping the crank from spinning when installing the crankshaft pulley. Also, don't make the same mistake I did overestimate how hard it is to install the crankshaft pulley and strip the installer tool. You can rent a crankshaft removal tool and installer tool from an auto parts store. I used O'Reilly.
Maybe the timing chain seals I had the same problem on my equinox. Leaked from same area and thought it was the wate pump but turned out to be the timing chain seal
Hi Wayne, before you read my reply I have to say that I am NOT a mechanic, just someone who doesn't like to pay mechanics ;) Assuming your 95 buick has the 3.1 like mine I don't think you ever need to change the timing chain. Since it is not a belt there is no need to replace it. I don't see any reason to pull the timing belt cover unless you have to.
DaveB038 the timing cover is made of the softest aluminum in the engine a lot of times you get a hole in the metal before the gasket blows so you will have to replace that cover and you might as well do the gasket since you have the cover off
I have a chevy venture and it's leaking coolant from the timing chain cover also, it must be a common occurance. It is a 3.4 but, very similar to the 3.1.
You may find that the water pump impeller has rusted and broken off the shaft and the blades of the impeller have worn through the housing. Just sayin'!
I just had my leaking timing cover replaced on my 96 lumina. $42 in parts.. $450 in labor. I would've loved to tackle this myself but due to it being -5 in pa and my lack of a garage makes that a little difficult.
there's a million videos on UA-cam about the 3100 and the 3400 engines having failures at every gasket...lol....I bet there's a TSB for every damn gasket on the thing lol looks like my best bet it to just tear it down and seal the whole damn thing up and be done with it. maybe throw a new timing chain on it while I'm at it. just debating on wether or not it would be worth the effort.
I have a 95 Grand Am 3.1 v6 the repair book says you have to take off the Starter/AC compressor/Engine support/Oil pan/ as well as several other components just to get to the front cover gasket. ridiculous!
I got a Timing chain cover at the junkyard and replaced it. Problem solved. I think my problem is unique though because the cover had a hole in it because the water pump rubbed a hole in it. Most cases I would bet are most likely a head gasked or intake manifold gasket. I was pretty sure it wasn't that because I had already replaced those.
Сергей Ступаков most people who try to replace it put a hole in it it's one of the softest Metals in your engine and only that plate is made of that type of aluminum so be careful when taking it off to replace the gasket
my 99 century is leaking from the same area as urs, i thought it was the water pump but wasnt, i was told it was the timing cover may have a leak, let me know how easy/hard it was to fix, thanks
Chris B Have you ever found out if that was the case? I noticed coolant leaking from the same area thinking it was the water pump. What are the steps of replacing?
I honestly don’t think it’s a common problem with a 3.1 or 3.5. In my case I think it was caused by a faulty water pump that rubbed a hole. Head gaskets are a common problem imo.
WeThePeopleAreFucked I can't find a video of it my 99 Buick Century custom has the same problem but it's leaking out the other side of the timing cover
xadam2dudex Thanks. I think that was after a full head gasket replacement so everything had been pulled and thoroughly cleaned when I had it out. The hole was a spot on the water pump housing part of the timing chain cover. A bad water pump rubbed up against it and caused the hole. It was less than paper thin and when I took it off I could poke my finger through the metal. Got one at a junk yard and still running well.
My water pump recently failed on my 00' Chevy impala 3.4L V6. I discovered leakage near the water pump compartment. I just went ahead and replace the pump. Now the engine won't turn over. It's making the same or similar sound in this video. Now after watching your video I'm convinced it might be the same thing. ua-cam.com/video/6Png8wklIMM/v-deo.html
That's a VERY clean looking engine....nice job maintaining that thing!
Michael, yep, I agree except that I replaced it twice already. It was in fact a hole in the timing cover caused by a failing water pump that was rubbing on the inside of the cover and had worn it paper thin. Once the cover was off I was able to push my finger through the cover where the tiny hole was. The pulley was rubbing against the outside of the pump too.
You know house water pressure via your garden hose can be 50 to 100+ psi... your car's coolant system runs at like 15psi. You're begging for new leaks in your radiator or heater core.
It wasn't too bad and not too expensive either. About $65 for a used cover. Pretty easy to take off and install. The biggest trick for me was keeping the crank from spinning when installing the crankshaft pulley. Also, don't make the same mistake I did overestimate how hard it is to install the crankshaft pulley and strip the installer tool. You can rent a crankshaft removal tool and installer tool from an auto parts store. I used O'Reilly.
What did you need to remove to get to the cover? Also did the oil pan need to be removed?
@@nsgibson I do not remember ever having to take off the oil pan. Being 9 years ago I can’t remember all I took off but it wasn’t a ton.
Maybe the timing chain seals I had the same problem on my equinox. Leaked from same area and thought it was the wate pump but turned out to be the timing chain seal
Hi Wayne, before you read my reply I have to say that I am NOT a mechanic, just someone who doesn't like to pay mechanics ;) Assuming your 95 buick has the 3.1 like mine I don't think you ever need to change the timing chain. Since it is not a belt there is no need to replace it. I don't see any reason to pull the timing belt cover unless you have to.
DaveB038 the timing cover is made of the softest aluminum in the engine a lot of times you get a hole in the metal before the gasket blows so you will have to replace that cover and you might as well do the gasket since you have the cover off
I have a chevy venture and it's leaking coolant from the timing chain cover also, it must be a common occurance. It is a 3.4 but, very similar to the 3.1.
Paul Griswold yeah my 3.4 Time cover leak also 800 dollar job
You may find that the water pump impeller has rusted and broken off the shaft and the blades of the impeller have worn through the housing. Just sayin'!
I just had my leaking timing cover replaced on my 96 lumina. $42 in parts.. $450 in labor. I would've loved to tackle this myself but due to it being -5 in pa and my lack of a garage makes that a little difficult.
Oh yeah, that's just too darn cold to work on a car, especially outside!
Ryno Riot ouch that's pricey but true... I lived All Over America finally decided I will never shovel snow before work again so I moved to Arizona
Bro -5 damn that’s a deal breaker fo sho, y’all need wood burning stoves up in the garages come ol man winter
Is it a hard job? I can’t find a mechanic willing to do it, lack of labor
Possibly freeze plug??
there's a million videos on UA-cam about the 3100 and the 3400 engines having failures at every gasket...lol....I bet there's a TSB for every damn gasket on the thing lol looks like my best bet it to just tear it down and seal the whole damn thing up and be done with it. maybe throw a new timing chain on it while I'm at it. just debating on wether or not it would be worth the effort.
I have a 95 Grand Am 3.1 v6 the repair book says you have to take off the Starter/AC compressor/Engine support/Oil pan/ as well as several other components just to get to the front cover gasket. ridiculous!
Ready Ray most American cars are this way on the Buick I had to remove the main pulley, power steering, tensioner and the reservoir
Starter is on the complete opposite side
.
No reason to pull it
How you fixed this problem? I have same problem with my Buick Century.
I got a Timing chain cover at the junkyard and replaced it. Problem solved. I think my problem is unique though because the cover had a hole in it because the water pump rubbed a hole in it. Most cases I would bet are most likely a head gasked or intake manifold gasket. I was pretty sure it wasn't that because I had already replaced those.
Thanks for your answer.
Сергей Ступаков most people who try to replace it put a hole in it it's one of the softest Metals in your engine and only that plate is made of that type of aluminum so be careful when taking it off to replace the gasket
my 99 century is leaking from the same area as urs, i thought it was the water pump but wasnt, i was told it was the timing cover may have a leak, let me know how easy/hard it was to fix, thanks
Chris B Have you ever found out if that was the case? I noticed coolant leaking from the same area thinking it was the water pump. What are the steps of replacing?
You say you replaced this engine twice where can I get a engine
3.5: Do you know if the 3.5L v6 has the same problem?
I honestly don’t think it’s a common problem with a 3.1 or 3.5. In my case I think it was caused by a faulty water pump that rubbed a hole. Head gaskets are a common problem imo.
anyone know where i can find a video of this being done...my 99 buick century leaks from timing cover. i need to see it to do it. thanks
Justin Patterson. ever find a video?
WeThePeopleAreFucked I can't find a video of it my 99 Buick Century custom has the same problem but it's leaking out the other side of the timing cover
Did any of you find a video? My moms 99 century is leaking from timing cover also.
@1985NEVETS 6yrs later I don't even remember if I fixed it. I been thru like 4-5 cars since, sorry I can't be of any help
@@justinpatterson8831 that's alright thanks.
Damn that is one clean engine.... did you have it pressure cleaned ? So where was the gusher coming from ?
xadam2dudex Thanks. I think that was after a full head gasket replacement so everything had been pulled and thoroughly cleaned when I had it out. The hole was a spot on the water pump housing part of the timing chain cover. A bad water pump rubbed up against it and caused the hole. It was less than paper thin and when I took it off I could poke my finger through the metal. Got one at a junk yard and still running well.
Would this cause to over heat
Yes, if there isn’t enough coolant it would definitely overheat.
My water pump recently failed on my 00' Chevy impala 3.4L V6. I discovered leakage near the water pump compartment. I just went ahead and replace the pump. Now the engine won't turn over. It's making the same or similar sound in this video. Now after watching your video I'm convinced it might be the same thing. ua-cam.com/video/6Png8wklIMM/v-deo.html
How do you cause a no start by just replacing a water pump?
.
You must be the worst mechanic ever
Thats ur intake gastket leaking all them engines leak abt n same place!
look closer at water pmp