2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992) 1986-1992 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections.

coolant leak NEED HELP finding it

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 17, 2007 | 12:14 AM
  #1  
mnguy's Avatar
Thread Starter
Full Member
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 132
Likes: 0
From: mn
coolant leak NEED HELP finding it

alright heres the situation
i have an 88 tii
i went on a short "spirited drive"
and when i got home i saw coolant running down my driveway from where my car was originally parked.

i turn my car off and my turbo timer is set to 25 seconds, the coolant buzzer comes on while the turbo timer is counting down.
i look under the car and coolant is leaking pretty bad.
its running down the passenger side of the engine.
i take the UIM off and replace the coolant hose directly under it.
i pour more coolant into the motor and it still leaks.
i keep looking but i cant seem to find the leak.
the leak seems to be coming somewhere from the middle of the engine not near the radiator. its dripping down off the bottom of the engine and oilpan


thanks

Last edited by mnguy; Jul 17, 2007 at 12:23 AM.
Reply
Old Jul 17, 2007 | 12:16 AM
  #2  
VacavilleFC's Avatar
Rotary Enthusiast
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,081
Likes: 0
From: Vacaville Ca
check all your coolant hoses?

top and bottom radiator and the 3 heater coolant hoses??
Reply
Old Jul 17, 2007 | 12:21 AM
  #3  
WonkoTheSane's Avatar
Green Flameless
Tenured Member 15 Years
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,242
Likes: 0
From: North Central PA
One handy tip for finding a coolant leak:

Start out by cleaning your engine bay, or else you won't be able to tell where your coolant leak is!

Wait until it is dark, and start running the engine. Use a black light to illuminate your engine bay, and the coolant will glow green. This should make it pretty simple to track down your leak.

Cheers!
Reply
Old Jul 17, 2007 | 08:40 AM
  #4  
texFCturboII's Avatar
version 2.0
Tenured Member 15 Years
iTrader: (17)
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,596
Likes: 2
From: Fort Worth, TX
You have just got to open the hood and find that biotch!
Reply
Old Jul 17, 2007 | 08:52 AM
  #5  
SureShot's Avatar
Seduced by the DARK SIDE
Tenured Member 15 Years
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 7,323
Likes: 2
From: Orange Park FL (near Jax)
Some possible sources:
Turbo coolant circuit.
LIM turbo coolant passage seals.
The pump housing end of the 3/8" TB coolant circuit.
Longshots:
Heater hose leak spraying towards the engine.
Radiator leak spraying towards the engine.
Reply
Old Jul 17, 2007 | 10:57 AM
  #6  
mnguy's Avatar
Thread Starter
Full Member
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 132
Likes: 0
From: mn
pics

alright i looked at it long and hard.
and after some reading i checked to see
if it was the hose that went from the block to the UIM that wasnt it, it was dry.
and then i checked the hose that goes from the BAC valve to the water pump, i thought that was it because i could see dried up green around it which i thought was coolant.

so looking at both i fill the radiator back up with coolant and double check to see if either one is leaking. but its neither.
and theres movement in the puddles on top of the block.
so im guessin its the LIM coolant passages. the O-rings correct?

just wanna make sure before i take off the LIM.
i took a couple pictures for reference.
Attached Thumbnails coolant leak NEED HELP finding it-picture-001.jpg   coolant leak NEED HELP finding it-picture-002.jpg   coolant leak NEED HELP finding it-picture-004.jpg  
Reply
Old Jul 17, 2007 | 11:32 AM
  #7  
VacavilleFC's Avatar
Rotary Enthusiast
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,081
Likes: 0
From: Vacaville Ca
check the weep hole on your water pump? it's directly beneath the pulley
Reply
Old Jul 17, 2007 | 11:58 AM
  #8  
mnguy's Avatar
Thread Starter
Full Member
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 132
Likes: 0
From: mn
if it was leaking from the weep hole (its on the front side of the engine right)
how would coolant get on the top of the block, and i think its coming from the rear housing area.

ill check though just incase the weep hole is beneath the pulley right?
Reply
Old Jul 17, 2007 | 03:39 PM
  #9  
SureShot's Avatar
Seduced by the DARK SIDE
Tenured Member 15 Years
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 7,323
Likes: 2
From: Orange Park FL (near Jax)
Glycol can take years to evaporate, so the green puddle could be from an old leak in the 3/8" coolant circuit.
Mop it up & see if it reappears.

I'd replace the hose in the 1st picture, just to rule it out.

BTW- You might want to freshen up your bellhousing-to-firewall ground in the 2nd pic.
It looks a little crispy.
Reply
Old Jul 17, 2007 | 06:36 PM
  #10  
beefhole's Avatar
Boosted. I got BLOWN!!!
Tenured Member: 20 Years
iTrader: (29)
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,742
Likes: 1
From: Queens, NY
I'd have to agree with the LIM o-rings. Common problem! Mine leaked... cause I didn't have any!
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
stickmantijuana
Microtech
30
Apr 23, 2016 06:37 PM
alphawolff
1st Generation Specific (1979-1985)
17
Nov 17, 2015 05:57 PM
rotor_veux
2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992)
7
Aug 31, 2015 07:49 PM
RPOdesign
New Member RX-7 Technical
5
Aug 27, 2015 11:42 PM
86glxNA
New Member RX-7 Technical
7
Aug 22, 2015 08:54 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:38 PM.