I have a leak on my 96 camaro 3.8 and from what I see it looks like it is coming from the intake gasket just above the water pump area. Do the camaros have the plastic elbow piece that some of the other gm 3.8's have? It does not have any white smoke or any oil on the dipstick. It did develope a slight miss a some higher speeds. Would the elbow or bad intake gaskets cause this? Thanks........1SG

 

Both the elbow and the intake gasket are common issues on these car. If it is right above the water pump it is most likely the elbow. Intake normally leak at the head/intake connection. I think you can replace the elbow by removing the assmembly the belt tensioner mounts to but if you have the time/resourses you should think about just redoing the intake and the elbow. Kill two birds............

Elbow with the water pump removed

 

Yep, What Gorn said! You can find the elbows pack of 2 for about 5 bucks at the local auto parts store next to the thermostats.

 

yupp its very easy to do

 

sounds good, besides the intake gaskets and the elbows is their any thing else that should be changed?........1SG

 

If you plan on doing the intake gaskets, get the gasket set and it will come with everything you should need such as injector orings, valve cover gaskets, etc. You should be good.