Help: coolant leak, err...more like coolant dump

The_Swede_Breed · Post by **The_Swede_Breed** » 13 Jun 2010, 15:44

Hey all. I've been coming to this site for awhile now and have found it to be an amazing resource. I'm the DIY kind of mechanic who likes to see how things work as well as save a few bucks, but have fairly limited knowledge. Up until now, I have found all I needed from the past posts of other individuals. Maybe someone can shed some light on my dilemma:

My vehicle is basically dumping its coolant. It was holding the coolant and running fine (beside a slight leak) until this morning when I noticed a puddle after parking. The leak got much worse on the drive home; my expansion tank was empty and the car was overheating. I refilled and almost immediately there was dripping from beneath the car. My first thought was a slit hose, but after popping the hood and looking around everything is fine (from the top side view). I got down underneath the vehicle and could see the general area the leak is coming from (I can't get under the car)...see picture. It gets much worse when the car is on. I am stumped. I apologize if I am being too vague. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

Garrett
1998 S70 T5
170ish K miles

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 13 Jun 2010, 15:50

Welcome to MVS Garrett,

Based on the photo I would suspect the coolant lines where they mate up with the heater core on the firewall. If need be you can bypass the heater core with a single piece of heater hose on the two barbs on the engine until your parts come in.

...Lee

The_Swede_Breed · Post by **The_Swede_Breed** » 13 Jun 2010, 16:13

Thanks Lee. Are these the hoses that you are speaking of? I'll have to figure out what they connect to. It looks like they are pretty dry here, but maybe leaking elsewhere? I know the heater core definitely has issues and is on my list of things to replace.

-Garrett

Post by **jblackburn** » 13 Jun 2010, 16:16

My T5 leaks in the same area, but it is the coolant line from the turbo on mine. The best way you can see it would be to crawl up under the car and look directly up at the turbo - the 2 lines sticking out of the left (drivers) side of it are the coolant lines.

You have a good camera, I'm jealous. Mine does not like taking under-hood pictures.

The_Swede_Breed · Post by **The_Swede_Breed** » 14 Jun 2010, 20:21

With some more investigating it turned out the water pump went out. It was causing coolant to run along various other parts and leak off the other side of the car. Thanks for the input.

-Garrett

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 14 Jun 2010, 23:49

I would park the car until your new water pump comes in. If the water pump goes mechanically it is game over for the engine since it will take out the timing belt with it.

...Lee