RestoTII

So my car decides it wants to leak some coolant from somewhere under the alternator. I can see coolant laying on the chassis right near the front of the engine, and directly under the alternator. It looks like the coolant line from the radiator is ok, and I can't see anything else.... any ideas where it could be coming from, or how screwed my engine might be? Thanks

Blake

The water pump is in that vicinity (a bit to the left and down). Also, since there is a belly pan under the front of the engine compartment, coolant drips can end up hitting the ground in a spot not directly south of the leak point, so keep that in mind. How much coolant are we talking about? A few drips or a puddle? You said the radiator hose was okay. Both of them? What about the lower radiator hose connection to the water pump? That would be my prime suspect. Or, if it's just a few drops, then it could be coming from the water pump weep hole, indicating that the pump needs to be replaced.
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Blake Qualley
Rotary Engine Illustrated

RestoTII

I saw the coolant on what looked to be the chassis, but it was just a quick glance before a class. Since I'm at school right now, I don't have a jack to get under the car and check from that angle.

My fault.... I meant the lower hose, right near the place that I saw the coolant. However, the hose fit tightly and didn't leak when I squeezed it lightly.

wtf? I didn't even know water pumps had "weep holes", but I'll try to check that out.

After a 2 hr drive, then short trips to campus and back, it was barely enough to drip the whole way to the ground. Most of it was just laying on the metal and drying up there after a while.

Thanks for the suggestion, and hopefully it doesn't cost too much to fix, cause I'm broke as hell

copandengr

On the front end housing below the alternator is a casting core plug, more commonly known as a freeze or expansion plug. It is a thin cup shaped piece of metal driven into the hole in the housing. It is about the size of a half dollar coin. It is prone to corrosion and might be leaking there. I would imagine you can see it if you use a flashlight and look just in front of and below the e-shaft angle sensor.

1FastT2

iTrader: (1)

Accually it could be the water pump itself. The water pump has a hole in it to let you know when the seal has gone out. You may want to check that out.

RestoTII

I just looked again and can't tell where the fluid is coming from without a jack to look from the bottom. I definately couldn't see any kind of hole or window on the water pump. Thanks for the advice, but it looks like it's gotta go to a mechanic to track it down.

RestoTII

It looks like my coolant reservoir is going from the full line to the empty line in just over a week.... so if this problem is with either of the parts of the fuel pump, would it be any advantage to put in any additives to try to slow down the leak? Or would that just be a futile attempt to put off replacing the problem? Basically I'm broke as hell and at college right now, and I'd like the car to make in to winter when i can put it away and do the work. Thanks for the help

Ryde _Or_Die

Man I spent a few weeks tryin to locate my leak, finally one day my water pump went bad, messed up my alternator & cost me alot of time & money. Sounds like the same exact thing I had wrong.