Random Coolant leak?

Chuckles · #1 01-06-2009, 01:05 PM

Hi All...

So I have this issue, and I'm no mechanic. so I'm trying to figure this one out. I have to fill my coolant more and more lately (I drive this car once a week, so I fill once a month), but it never leaks consistently(I replace maybe a gallon every two months). It is really strange to me. here are my symptoms:

1.) I have to fill it but somehow the overflow doesn't really drain as fast as the Radiator. (maybe leaks when it is off?)
2.) The upper and lower RAD hoses are fine
3.) The fluid builds up on the passengers side of the engine, not in the front but towards it.
4.) My oil is clean but I use royal purple so maybe I can't tell if there is coolant there.
5.) supposedly a mechanic pressure tested my system and said it was the cap. which was replaced then.
6.) I do have dry steamed coolant build-up around the new 13 psi cap
7.) It only leaks when the car is warm, and even then, you need to park it for at least 5-10 minutes to see a dollar width puddle. I do notice leakage in the morning, but it might be excess from the skid plate.

I don't get it.... I just don't get it at all. I thought the water pump was in the front toward the drivers side, I haven't checked it because it is cold outside and I'd like to get a little input before I tear apart things twice. could this be my head gasket? I have never heard of a gasket going at 112k except in American Cars, but I wonder? I am also suspecting the water pump might need repair.
I was under the car four months ago with a mechanic buddy of mine, and we didn't see any leakage from the gaskets. The military moved us to New Jersey so I can't drive down to his lift and check it out. so I ask you fine folks, WHAT is going on here?

Thanks

Jason

SoCal LS-L · #2 01-06-2009, 05:04 PM

As far as head gaskets go... ive seen brand new imports with leaky head gaskets ( ala massive toyota 3vze campaign starting in 88 ). It just depends on how the previous owner treated it. If it overheats severely, headgaskets blow. Maybe it developed a coolant leak and they didnt find it until they overheated it? Leaking more coolant warm is normal, since thats when the cooling system has most pressure. The thing with dried up coolant around the cap though is suspect. Unless its a bad cap gasket, your cooling system is becoming overpressurized, POSSIBLY by piston compression through a bad headgasket. One thing you can do thats way easy is buy whats called a "block tester kit" (I used these when i was a service manager to diag headgaskets). It consists of a tube and rubber stopper, you fill the tube with this blue fluid they give you and push the rubber stopper onto your radiator cap hole, start the car, and you will see air bubbles rise up through the fluid. If it turns yellow from reacting to exhaust gasses, its a head gasket leak. Head gaskets can also leak outwards, but id check extensively with a flashlight and telescoping mirror to make sure its not just dripping from a bypass hose or something. I have the same problem but mine is definitely from the water pump and stops leaking when it warms up lol

taylorbr · #3 01-06-2009, 06:24 PM

I would check your radiator hoses and clamps. I found a small loss of coolant in my Legacy - it was seeping from where the lower radiator hose connects to the engine.

Mike621 · #4 01-06-2009, 06:59 PM

Sounds like the same problem I started with in my Claret, which turned out to be HG.

Chuckles · #5 01-07-2009, 02:56 PM

I spoke to a shady Mechanic today... he told me that if exhaust gases were getting into my radiator I'd know because it would gurgle when running. It would also overheat the engine, or atleast the temp guage would not be spot on. Both are untrue, My temp is perfect and becomes so after about 5 minutes, and even with the engine running and the cap off, the gurgle never happens.

Also my radiator reservoir does not empty nearly as fast as my radiator does, which he said was due to a lack of pressure in the system. The Mechanic whom tested my Rad in MI was apparently lying. Also the shop owner said that around 112k the water pump often needs replacing as well, so it is probably not leaking from where I think it is, and is just being carried off to the side by the plastic timing belt cover and skid plate.

None of this is actually concrete though, since my car is not drivable right now because I was tinting the tail lights 35% and thus there are none on the car.

SoCal LS-L · #6 01-07-2009, 03:14 PM

Well id think twice before going back to these guys....... especially since they tell you "oh water pumps go out at 112k anyways" lol. A HG problem will only "gurgle" out of the radiator if its severely leaking..... otherwise you wont notice any change..... that what block tester kits are for. If it WERE leaking from your WP, itd be obvious since the housing hangs at the bottom of the engine and also has a weep hole. Nothing beats your own visual inspection to find out where the problem really lies..... especially a few grease monkeys who want in your pockets.