Coolant Leak

Post by **vanzep** » Wed Aug 13, 2014 3:33 pm

Noticed earlier today a few wafts of steam from under the bonnet - parked up and checked all the usual suspects but found no problem with hoses , rad or expansion tank - cant really see where the leak is coming from but its dripping down onto the steering rack gearbox and exhaust downpipe.....any ideas or quick suggestions ...ive got to travel about another 40 miles today so will let it cool down and top the rad up and head off with fingers crossed

Once i get time i guess i will have to get the car up in the air and check from underneath to identify where the leaks is coming from

but any ideas right now would be appreciated.

bb1boy · Post by **bb1boy** » Wed Aug 13, 2014 3:35 pm

My unidentified drip was coming from the waterpump weep hole.. I hope it's not that for you, but it does sound similar

Post by **Merlin** » Wed Aug 13, 2014 3:36 pm

I'd say there is a good chance it is coming from the worst possible place to get to, from where the coolant hoses connect to the heater valve or bulkhead fixings. The valve and fixings are directly above the steering rack.

Get your hand down low behind the intake manifold and feel for the hoses. See if you can feel and water on the hoses, particularly near the heater valve or up at the bulkhead.

I used to have a leak in the bulkhead fixings but it leaked on the inside rather than outside.

Post by **vanzep** » Wed Aug 13, 2014 3:43 pm

yep @Merlin just had a quick look at the manual and it could be one of the heater hoses - if not then it will be the connecting pipe-i think thats a metal pipe that runs along the back of the block

Will let it cool down and go check it

Post by **vanzep** » Wed Aug 13, 2014 3:44 pm

bb1boy wrote:My unidentified drip was coming from the waterpump weep hole.. I hope it's not that for you, but it does sound similar

nah its other side of the block - thankfully

Post by **Merlin** » Wed Aug 13, 2014 3:46 pm

vanzep wrote:yep @Merlin just had a quick look at the manual and it could be one of the heater hoses - if not then it will be the connecting pipe-i think thats a metal pipe that runs along the back of the block Will let it cool down and go check it

The big plastic pipe that runs along the back of the engine connects to the thermostat housing (on the gearbox side) and goes to the water pump on the belts side of the engine. It should be fairly easy to feel if it is that pipe. I would still point the finger at the coolant hoses though as they are rubber.

bb1boy · Post by **bb1boy** » Wed Aug 13, 2014 3:47 pm

vanzep wrote:nah its other side of the block - thankfully

Phew! Although I don't know which is worse to fix..

Post by **vanzep** » Wed Aug 13, 2014 3:49 pm

thanks for the info will let you know how i get on

does look like it will be tricky to locate the leak and fix it - just wondering if i should cancel my planned journey this afternoon:?

Post by **Merlin** » Wed Aug 13, 2014 3:50 pm

You could also check the FITV coolant hose. That hose comes from the thermostat housing up to the throttle body. It could be that water has dripped down from there.

IMO you don't want a complete split of any hose and get stranded. Fingers crossed it is just the end of a hose has become perished and you can simply trim that bit off and reconnect the hose.

Post by **vanzep** » Wed Aug 13, 2014 5:16 pm

Ive been out and had a look - had to top up 2 litres of coolant

cant see any leaks from fit or iacv..
difficult to find where the leak is coming from - possibly underside of thermostat housing - problem being ive got oil leaks from cam end cap and/or vtec solenoid and/or rocker cover so not easy to spot the coolant leak.
I will need to get the car up in the air so im away to try and find a jack and some axle stands