Leaking Coolant

MooDib · #1 11-16-2010, 10:06 PM

Ugh, I recently noticed that I am leaking coolant from some unknown area. The past couple of days after driving I could smell a faint coolant odor but never found any leaks or indication of anything major. Tonight though I pulled up to my house and saw smoke coming from the hood, opened it and saw a little puddle of coolant had leaked onto the exhaust at the back of the engine. No idea where it's coming from yet so I'll have to figure that out Thursday.

I'm not too familiar with the coolant lines yet, but I'm hoping it is a hole in a line and nothing too big. So I'm curious, are there coolant lines that run by the firewall?

MooDib · #2 11-18-2010, 11:14 AM

Ok, so I tried to find where the coolant was leaking but I have no idea what is up other than I might need to get a pressure test kit. The past two days I've driven home (only about 3-4 miles) there was a cloud of vapor coming from the engine due to coolant leaking from some where. Today I tried finding the leak but had no luck. I didn't drive it anywhere but I started it, let it run and warm up, revved it, and checked it periodically throughout both from above the engine and from underneath. During this time I could smell coolant, which might have only been from last time it leaked, but I didn't see any drops or smoke. I can tell that it is/was leaking coolant at one time because there is coolant on the bottom of hoses, bolts, etc from the engine all the way back to the transmission (I think it ran back due the the sloped driveway I park on).

Could this have been from when I changed my coolant a week or two ago? If I had overfilled it, even though I don't think that's possible, or used the wrong coolant would it do this? Or could this just be a gasket leak that only really leaks when I'm in a higher gear and not neutral?

Giangrosso · #3 11-18-2010, 12:19 PM

i dont know about the 03 but on the 97 model theres a plastic piece with 4 hoses connected to it, two going into the firewall, two going to the front. its $20 at autozone, and i have replaced mine, it was leaking but hard to find when the engine was clean, after getting dirty in the engine bay i was able to find it

MooDib · #4 11-20-2010, 04:00 PM

Ok, I think the leak is coming from a gasket or possibly freeze plugs. I've narrowed down where it is coming from to the back of the engine and a leaky gasket seems to make the most sense. I'm guessing the dealer or previous owner put a leak stop in the coolant and when I flushed and replaced the coolant it started leaking again.

Now my question; what should I do with it? I need the truck at least by Wednesday night. Should I take the engine apart and replace the gasket myself, take the truck to a repair shop to be fixed, or add a leak stop and deal with it later? I have never taken an engine apart but I am very mechanically inclined. I should have all the tools necessary, except for any specialty tools if needed. For a frame of reference, when I changed my drum brakes a few days ago I had never messed with drum and it took me probably about 5 hours including the time to drive down to road and get some parts, so not the fastest the first time around.

mickblock · #5 11-20-2010, 04:11 PM

Yeah you can definitely try the stop leak first. Predissolve it first or grab some non pellet version. If it works it works. Maybe focus on pinpointing the leak first by degreasing the engine before you do this so that you have the option of tearing into it to make a more permanent fix when you can.

The only coolant lines that locate to the firewall are heater hoses. on the passenger side. don't let the location of the puddle deceive you though.
If its a freeze plug the only hard part about swapping is making space.

MooDib · #6 11-20-2010, 04:16 PM

Yeah, it's not coming from the firewall, but the back of the engine somewhere. I bought a pressure test kit last night and have been using it today but the back of the engine is so crammed I still can't see where it's coming from exactly, even with a mirror. Tracing the puddling I was able to find it leaking down the back of the engine block, but that's as far as I made it.

mickblock · #7 11-20-2010, 04:23 PM

The pressure test kit wasn't a bad idea.

MooDib · #8 11-20-2010, 04:29 PM

Also, has anyone ever had any problems with a leak stop sealant? I'm worried that if I just add the stuff it will clog up my heater core or radiator or something.

gdog1678 · #9 11-20-2010, 04:59 PM

i had the same problem. it turned out to be the seal on the back of the thermostat housing. it was very small and leaked on top of the block and evaporated. pressure and heat would leak out not lettin the thermostat open up

MooDib · #10 11-20-2010, 06:01 PM

Well I have no problem with my thermostat reading normal engine temps and it's more than a tiny leak. When I get home after driving about 3-4 miles there is smoke from hitting the exhaust pipes and a little puddle. Went from a 1/3 full reservoir to an inch down in the radiator in about three trips.

mickblock · #11 11-20-2010, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Predissolve it first or grab some non pellet version.

Why do you think I mentioned this?

thRangerReD · #12 11-22-2010, 09:53 PM

I fixed a coolant leak in mine this weekend. It was coming from the resivor hose. Although it was a tiny leak it was making a fairly large mess. It soaked the pass fender well and everything above and around it (I'm assuming from wind splattering it around) but it diddnt make it as far as the firewall. The smell of it burning on the exaust is what let me know it was leaking. I moved the air box outa the way and could see clearly where the leak was coming from. Under the resivor from a small hose that had no clamp on it. I hope this is the prob but might not be so lucky good luck dude...

MooDib · #13 11-22-2010, 10:42 PM

I added some leak stopper today and that seemed to do the job and hasn't clogged anything yet. Hopefully this stuff will hold through the winter and when I have time next summer I'll probably replace the gaskets and seals.

Mallow423 · #14 05-21-2023, 02:26 PM

Thank you 13 year old post for solving my leak issue

Quote:

Originally Posted by thRangerReD

I fixed a coolant leak in mine this weekend. It was coming from the resivor hose. Although it was a tiny leak it was making a fairly large mess. It soaked the pass fender well and everything above and around it (I'm assuming from wind splattering it around) but it diddnt make it as far as the firewall. The smell of it burning on the exaust is what let me know it was leaking. I moved the air box outa the way and could see clearly where the leak was coming from. Under the resivor from a small hose that had no clamp on it. I hope this is the prob but might not be so lucky good luck dude...