Coolant leak

Good evening,

If the cap was bad, it would leak right from the cap area.

You need to pressure test the system to determine the leak.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/radiator-pressure-test

Those motors were common for intake manifold gaskets. They leak out the back of the motor and drip on the ground on the drivers side.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUlBJNK-80s

Roy

Hello,
I believe I have a coolant leak in my engine. What would the average cost to repair this be? Thank you very much for your assistance.

Depends where the leak is, 3.1 engines are known to leak at the intake manifold. Pressure test first to find the leak.

If it is leaking at the intake manifold, like you think it possibly is, how much does that generally cost to fix? Thank you for your help.

About 700.00 or so, but if it was mine, I would pressure test it first, other things can and do leak!

Mine only took $500 when it leaked at the intake manifold.

The car that I have has a few things going on with it. First is that everything is pretty much sealed. I have a reservoir for my radiator and I fill it with 50/50 but within about a couple of days it is empty. I realize this might be due to a leak but I do not see anything leaking out. The car when I am driving it will act fine for about thirty miles then it will start loosing power and over heating. My gears will have a hard time shifting as well. when I finally turn the car off and let it sit for a minute then turn it back on everything seems to be fine again and again after about another thirty or so miles the same process with the overheating and power losing happens again. I do not know what it can be and/or if there is a way that I can fix it on my own without paying for a mechanic?

We need to know where the coolant is going, you need to do a cooling system pressure test and a head check, this is a simple chemical test to see if there is exhaust gasses in the cooling system, both tests need special tools, so ring a mechanic and get a quote to do both there tests, they take only a few minuets each to do so the cost will be minimal, let me know what they find so we cone advise on the best action to get this fixed.

I have a 2003 chevy malibu. I just had the water pump and thermostat replaced. The antifreeze keeps running out really fast, but he says he doesn't see any hose leaks. What's going on? There's no heat, and I've gone through 3 gallons of coolant! Help!

Hello, I'm Danny
I suggest you should perform a cooling system test. It basically uses a pump to pressurize the system thereby allowing you to see where any leaks are coming from. You perform this test with the car off and when the engine is cold to reduce the risk of burns or crawling around a hot engine. If you don't have access to a cooling system pressure tester auto parts stores have a tool loaner program and can rent you one. Here is a tutorial showing what is involved for cooling system pressure testing.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/radiator-pressure-test

While you are trying to find the leak I would fill with just tap water to not keep having to waste expensive antifreeze until the leak is fixed. Hope this helps and thanks for using 2CarPros.

I had a friend replace the radiator reservoir and now the coolant low level light stays on even though the coolant can be seen in the reservoir where it is supposed to be.

Good evening.

Did your friend replace it with a new unit with the switch? There is a sensor at the bottom and needs to check if it is plugged up.

Roy



https://www.2carpros.com/articles/coolant-reservoir-replacement

Hi Roy,

Yes it was bought new, but I am not sure about the sensor; however that sounds like the problem. I will check it out and if it has a sensor, that will be an easy fix. If it does not have a sensor, I will get back to you.

Beverly

Keep us updated.

Roy

My wifes car is leaking coolant at a hight rate. The car runs just fine. And the only place i can find coolant is to the right under side of the engine near the thermostat. But it doesant seem to be coming from the thermostat. It is lower and to the left of it. It seams to be colecting in a pool in a divet. I have no idea what could be leaking in that area.

Could be the water hoses, water pump, freeze plug, intake manifold-you need to look closer in order for us to help-

Already replaced hoses. And water pump is on other side of engine. I dont know what the freeze plug is. But the intake is right above the thermostat and were the leak is. How can i see if its the intake manifold. And i assume it cant be the head or head gasket if the leak is external. Thank you for your help.

Been loosing coolant, not on ground or in oil.
heater runs cold then hot then cold again.
changed thermostat and temperature switch also flushed the system and heater core.
now engine light on says number two cylinder misfire.
changed plugs and wire and coil for number two.
runs a little smoother but still rough and pulsates when you hit 4300 rpm's.
ideas?

I would start with a chemical test at the radiator to look for a leaking cylinder head gasket. You can borrow the tool from many auto parts stores, but they will make you buy your own bottle of the special test fluid. It is less expensive to just have your mechanic perform the test.

An alternative is to add a small bottle of dark purple dye to the coolant, then check a day or two later with a black light. The dye will show up as a bright yellow stain that you can follow back to the source. If the head gasket is leaking, you will find the dye inside the tail pipe. Auto parts stores will have the dye for the fluid being tested, and those that rent or borrow tools should have a black light.

For awhile now, my car will leak coolant when I shut it off. While it’s running, there is a slight squealing noise coming from around the belt. Is this just a water pump issue? What causes the coolant to leak after the car is not running?

Hello, I'm Danny.

Yes, it is possible that there could be a leak around the water pump area that is not only causing the leak but also dripping onto the belt causing the belt squealing noise. The first thing I suggest is to perform a cooling system pressure test. It is basically a pump that pressurizes the cooling system with the engine off. You can perform this with the engine off and cold to reduce injury. Once the system is pressurized you will be able to see where the leaks are coming from. If you don't have access to a pressure tester most auto parts stores have a tool loaner program and can rent you one. Here is tutorial showing how to pressure test:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/radiator-pressure-test

Once you find the leak get back to us and we'll help with the repair. Hope this helps and thanks for using 2CarPros.

The car overheating the fans were not working. i replaced them and now it’s trying to start, but will not turn over and when I turn the key water coming from somewhere under the engine.

Good morning,

You need to perform a cooling system pressure test to determine the leak source.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/radiator-pressure-test

It does not sound good. It may be the head gaskets that have failed from the overheating and is now preventing the car from starting.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/head-gasket-blown-test

Roy