Coolant Leak

4WDrift · 10-02-2009, 04:36 AM

This might be a bit vauge, but I have a coolant leak comming from the drivers front area of my 03 sedan. I have ruled out the obvious, like the radiator and overflow upper and lower hoses (which are brand new)...but I have no idea of the source, because it's being blown back onto the heat shield and the side of the oil pan, drivers side. None of the small hoses under there are obviously leaking or damaged, block drain plugs look fine.

Just a probe for ideas of where else to look? The leak will drain the overflow in 48 hours. I have had a coolant smell for about 18 months now, but never had to start topping off the tank until the last month or so.

Thanks for any ideas.

airplnmdls · 10-02-2009, 08:26 AM

What about the actuall overflow container? There could be a hole in it on the bottom...

Marne_Aeok · 10-02-2009, 09:19 AM

i literally JUST went thru this. park the car. open the hood. have someone sit out front looking at engine bay. rev the car to 3500 rpm. keep it there for about a min

i guarantee your gonna see coolant start flying up outta everywhere. mine it was the top part of the radiator >_<

sleepr · 10-02-2009, 12:26 PM

did you reuse the old oem hose clamps? If so, that might be where your leak is coming from (under load, and not necessarily revving while sitting still). Just a guess though...

4WDrift · 10-03-2009, 06:52 AM

I have removed the skid plate and raised her to the point I could slide under...and had someone rev the engine while I peered just under the front drivers. I think sleepr is right and it's only leaking under a load because I could not see anything start to drip or spray coolant, over a minute revving. I can tell you this; it is NOT the radiator leaking, the overflow is not leaking (I have removed and checked it).

It's so frustrating because the coolant gets blown all over while driving and finding the source is impossible. --If the water pump were leaking would I see coolant at the front cover?-- (then blown all over hell from there back)? It's not a LOT of coolant leaking but enough it's starting to add up to a mess under there.

I did reuse the old clamps and I'm going to re-set the lower hose's clamps today, but I had this problem long before I replaced the hoses.

Thanks for the help.

4WDrift · 10-03-2009, 04:07 PM

I still cannot nail down the location of the leak. I parked on a downhill slope earlier (nose down) and she let out quite a bit of coolant which has not happened before...maybe a quarter or half cups worth. I just cannot get into a position to look around the exhaust under there to locate the leak.

Any opinions on it being the water pump leaking?...and the difficulty of replacing it?

03 CrazyTaxi · 10-09-2009, 11:16 PM

Water pump is located in the area you are talking about, it's def a possibility if it looks like it's coming from under the timing belt cover. It's not that difficult of a removal if you have the balls to have the timing belt loose while doing it... You have to make sure you don't move any of the gears when you go to put it back in.

sleepr · 10-10-2009, 06:13 AM

I know you mentioned that you checked the two smaller bypass hoses that are attached to the bottom of the pump, but did you check where they connect on the other end (to hard lines I think)? (see top right of the picture) Your latest description makes it sound like the leak is somehow connected to the pressure change that happens when the thermostat opens and/or closes...sorry just want to make sure of the "easy" stuff before you have to "crack" the timing belt cover

gaz123 · 01-31-2010, 07:35 PM

waterpumps usually start to leak when the timing belts are changed, my guess is the top radiator hose. ive had this problem before, i stripped my car of anything to do with coolant and i was playing with the hoses while my friend inspected the water pump and i noticed a small slit inside the hose on the first bend. apparently this is quite common, gud luck buddy