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1996 Sebring Conv leaks antifreeze
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gemmons1
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Mar 6, 2009, 9:06 AM
Post #1 of 9
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1996 Sebring Conv leaks antifreeze
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I have a 1996 Chrysler Sebrig Convertible JXI. It has the 2.5 6cyl and 170,000 miles and has been leaking antifreeze for several months. I put about a quart in every couple of days. It never overheated, but I would lose heat in the car. There was always pressure in the coolant system if I tried to open the cap when it was hot. I babied it along until warmer weather. I replaced the t-stat. I was told by a garage that it was probably the head gasket. I replaced them on a 1993 Town & country so I thought I'd do this one. I have it torn down and have removed the intake manifold. The heads are still on. There is antifreeze all along the block where the intake manifold was but NO indication of a break in either head gasket to explain this. Also there are puddles of antifreeze on top of the transmission, below the distributor. Any suggestions. I don't want to remove the heads if they're not the problem. Thanks, Greg
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Mar 6, 2009, 11:12 AM
Post #2 of 9
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Re: 1996 Sebring Conv leaks antifreeze
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Hold off on the head gasket since you see evidence on trans - you said.
I think there's a pipe/hose that traverses the engine from one end (side) to the other that could be the issue. Pressure test it - get the dental mirrors out and find out where. I'll bet it's just a simple leak which still could be a pain but not the head gaskets quite yet,
T
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gemmons1
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Mar 6, 2009, 12:07 PM
Post #3 of 9
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Re: 1996 Sebring Conv leaks antifreeze
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There is a hose that runs along the same path that goes to the overflow canister. It "appears" to be ok. There are no cracks or visible holes. I'll get a new one anyway. I'm going to get an inspection mirror to look under the water pump before taking it off. I'll let you know what I find. There is a thin black plastic tube that runs from the intake to the egr valve that appears to be broken. Would that cause it to not hold idle at times? Can I replace it with rubber hose or should I get the part from the dealer? Thanks, Greg
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Mar 6, 2009, 12:20 PM
Post #4 of 9
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Re: 1996 Sebring Conv leaks antifreeze
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I haven't seen this with my own eyes on one yet but reports are there's a pipe or hose under(?) intake manifold that can cause leaks that is tricky to see. I plain dunno if plain hose can be used or if it's part plastic or something you could properly create out of hardware?? Yes - a leak could be intermittent and might leak at only a certain pressure too and quit with more or less. Ever have a tire do that? I have!
If you can see what you think it is go price it out at a dealer and see it (I don't know where to find a pic of the part) on their screen or perhaps ask to look at it and decide from there.
Good luck with it however it gets fixed. I doubt a plastic patch of any kind would work well but not sure as I'm not looking at it,
T
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gemmons1
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Mar 11, 2009, 9:55 AM
Post #5 of 9
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Re: 1996 Sebring Conv leaks antifreeze
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Thanks for the heads up on the crossover pipe. I went to the junk yard and got another one. I put new o-rings on it and that seems to fix the problem.
Another problem I was having is an intermittent idling problem. When I try to start the car sometimes it won't hold idle. Once I get going it's fine, most of the time. Sometimes it will stall when I come to a stop, but not often. When I do park it will be fine, but if I turn it off and try to restart the car it won't hold idle. Any suggestions?
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gemmons1
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Mar 14, 2009, 9:25 AM
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Re: 1996 Sebring Conv leaks antifreeze
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I have to ammend my last post. It did not fix the problem. It just took a few days to build back up to where it was before. I am still losing antifreeze on the top of the block. It is puddling up under the intake manifold and then overflowing down onto the transmission.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Mar 14, 2009, 9:28 AM
Post #7 of 9
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Re: 1996 Sebring Conv leaks antifreeze
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"Used Part" Is the problem identical now as it was?
Any way you can pressure check this and actually see the exact source of this leak? Perhaps the used part has the same issue - used is used
T
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gemmons1
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Mar 18, 2009, 8:47 PM
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Re: 1996 Sebring Conv leaks antifreeze
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It has the same exact problem. The original tube I took off looked fine but since there was no indication of leakage on the engine I pulled the used one from I replaced it anyway. I did buy new o-rings since the old ones were hard. What else could cause antifreeze to pool on top of the block?
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Mar 19, 2009, 12:46 AM
Post #9 of 9
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Re: 1996 Sebring Conv leaks antifreeze
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It has a leak so it can be found:
Get a pressure tester, dental mirrors or whatever it takes with areas cleaned off first you should be able to see it start to leak again - somewhere. By nature the leak will be the highest and evidence will trail towards rear from when it was in motion. AKA - highest/furthest forward. You'll find it as elusive as it might be. Stinks but there's no law that says the same thing can't happen right away
T
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