98 sunfire coolant leak

[eljefino]

coworker has a 98 sunfire 2.2 leaking from what looks like a very long gooseneck that goes from a freeze plug type hole in the passenger side of the motor around to the driver's side where it meets the top rubber hose that goes off to radiator.

Autozone has a rough picture of this pipe when one searches for the coolant temp sensor, which threads into this.

There's a flange type thing at the motor end but it's only held on with one nut, so I suspect a friction type fit with the pipe as if it replaces a freeze plug. I can imagine this motor in a rwd s10 not needing this long contraption.

Anyone know how this seals at the engine end of things? It is def the pipe or its connection. Also what would one use as a sealant, I'm an RTV fan but feel something tackier and thinner might be on order here... similar to what one would use on a freeze plug...

So we're all on the same page, this is the top hose and not the one with the thermostat.

 

[mechtech2]

For a repair, I would use a little premium silicone RTV on CLEAN surfaces, and give it time to set up.
This is along with whatever O ring or gasket is there.

 

[eljefino]

Got it apart, there's an o-ring. Slick setup... except for having to remove a motor mount to get the thing out. Pipe rusted through. Kid doesn't maintain his fluids. My oil change sticker from last May is still there-- he drives 2 miles to work. Oil is an inch overfull from fuel dilution and black. Serp belt is fraying like crazy. Going to use downtime to get things back in order.