Coolant leak

james321 · Post by **james321** » 17 Sep 2016, 15:15

Every few days now, my coolant level drops just the minimum and my light come on and I fill it back. Two questions.
1) I can't see where it's leaking. Is there a good way to find out?
2) Is there any place that is the usual or common place with this model?
2000 v70 non-turbo 5cyl. Base
Thanks,
Jim

Post by **bmdubya1198** » 17 Sep 2016, 15:21

Do you notice if your carpet it wet? Might be leaking from the heater core.

james321 · Post by **james321** » 17 Sep 2016, 15:25

No, nothing wet on the inside.

difflock54 · Post by **difflock54** » 17 Sep 2016, 16:30

Check your coolant reservoir cap.
Might be leaking there when hot and under pressure.

Post by **scot850** » 17 Sep 2016, 16:45

Check the driver's side floor again. When the heater core leaks, it often runs under the carpet and you may not feel it from the top. Best way to check is to pull the carpet back and remove the plastic shield to the right of the gas peddle.

On a non-turbo, check the following:

1) Radiator top hose and connections
2) Check the sides of the radiator where the plastic side parts meet the aluminum center section
3) Coolant header tank. Check for dampness under it. They crack with age.
4) Check the pipe from the bottom of the coolant tank to the back of the engine. These leak particularly where the rubber and metal pipes meet.
5) Check the lower radiator hose at both ends. I had one that was weeping at the back. Only saw it from below.
6) Lastly check the water pump. Check under the pump area for dampness.

The other guys are also correct check the header tank cap. They leak with age and you may not see it as it tends to happen when running and a while after the car is switched off. Remove the camp and look for tell tale residue under the cap area.

Neil

james321 · Post by **james321** » 17 Sep 2016, 21:20

I looked underneath. There is coolant leaking about where the tie rod and axle is about 15-20 inches away from passenger front tire toward the center but still on the passenger side I may have bumped the bottom of the car on a small sewer lid (terrible construction). Don't know if this caused anything or if it is just a leak. But that's about the location.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 18 Sep 2016, 08:27

Sounds like the lower radiator hose. Check the connection to the engine...it often gets brittle with age and/or the hose will bulge where it connects and leak.

Post by **bmdubya1198** » 18 Sep 2016, 08:34

Lower rad hose is on the driver's side. That sounds like it's coming from the upper hose/thermostat area and dripping down. Maybe even the reservoir or return hose on the t-stat housing.

Post by **erikv11** » 18 Sep 2016, 09:08

MIJ is probably talking about the lower hose on the coolant tank, which is a good idea. You're all talking about the same thing, the hoses associated with the coolant tank.

Post by **bmdubya1198** » 18 Sep 2016, 09:25

erikv11 wrote:MIJ is probably talking about the lower hose on the coolant tank, which is a good idea. You're all talking about the same thing, the hoses associated with the coolant tank.

Ah, that would make sense.