Well, here's the story:

I'm driving my car to best buy. I'm about half a mile away from home, and my coolant buzzer comes on. I pull to the side of the road and pop open the hood. Nothing smoking, and no coolant smell whatsoever. I wait a bit so I can take off the radiator cap. I take off the cap and I see no coolant, so I take my only bottle of distilled water from the cabin of my car (it's half empty), and pour the whole thing in there. It is almost full, but Save Mart is about two blocks away. I turn on the car, no buzzer comes on. So, I drive to Save Mart, and right before I come to a stop my buzzer comes on again. I run inside and buy 1 gallon of distilled water. I pour about half of it in, and it's full. I turn the car on, and no buzzer. So now, I'm on my way home. I'm about to leave the Save Mart parking lot, and the damn buzzer comes on right before I exit the parking lot. So, I pull her over to the side right infront of the freaking stop sign (people had to go around me to exit).

I pour the rest of my bottle of water in, and start the car again. No buzzer, comes on, and I go about half a mile. I'm about 3 big blocks away from home. Damn buzzer come on, and pull over again. This time I'm out of water, and I'm holding my head in pure frustration. I pop open the hood, and I smell the sweet smell of coolant, but no coolant leaking anywhere. No steam, no nothing. I'm thikning,"crap, my engine is taking in all of that water," but I had to get the car home. It is so close!

An EX-FD owner stops by, and ask,"Did you blow a seal!?", I answered,"no, I think my coolant seal is done for." He drives me back to Save Mart, and I pick up 2 gallons of distilled water. He drops me off at the car and leaves. I pour about half of the 1 gallon in, and start her up, no buzzer. I drive one block and the buzzer comes on. I repeat the process and finally get home. I notice a mini trail of liquid on my drive way. I put the car on jack stands and notice fluid dripping from the rear of the motor. I think to myself,"what could that mean!?" So I told myself, I'm not going to stress out too much and wait for advice from the club, and see if anyone else have had this happen to them.

The motor seems to run great. It's just that the coolant keeps disapearing, and I now see a trail of liquid. It did make a noise of running water. It sounded like it was coming from inside the dash. My wife noticed this before abour a couple of weeks back. No coolant smell in the cabin. Just when I pop my hood now. Any one got any ideas?







Could It Be This Hose!?

 

Sounds like you have a leak. Put the car on jack stands, and start it up. You should be able to get a pretty good idea where it is coming from.

 

Yes, you have more then likely blown a coolant hose. It could be the T/B hose in the picture, but it could be a turbo coolant hose, one under the manifold or even a heater hose.

If you are not sure how old your coolant hoses are, I'd replace them all. Conversely, you could pressure test the cooling system and find the hose that's blown

Paul

 

That intercooler sure does look familiar! How's it working for you?

 

The fronts already on jacks, but I'll try and scope it out. So, just put water in, and find out where it leaks yeah?

I'm thinking the heater hose, but is that in the engine bay or cabin? I don't smell coolant in the cabin.

NICE!

 

if its coming from the driver's side, check the little hose under the throttle body and the large J shaped hose that is near the fuel lines near the spark plugs.

 

my guess is that it's the hose you are holding in your hand in the last picture. That little hose runs down back to the engine. The hose probably dry-rotted on you and sprung a leak. Take off the UIM and have a look around.... or get a strong flashlight.

Course a heater hose might be just as likely.

 

my guess is that it's the hose you are holding in your hand in the last picture. That little hose runs down back to the engine. The hose probably dry-rotted on you and sprung a leak. Take off the UIM and have a look around.... or get a strong flashlight.

Course a heater hose might be just as likely.

 

I'm hoping it's that hose I'm holding. I'll look at it when I have the chance. I hope it's not a heater hose, since I don't even know where that is at...

 

I remember a large amount of coolant was leaking from my car and it turned out that there is a hose a little under the oil filter, I don't quite know what its called, but the nipple that is is attached to is made of PLASTIC! That could be something to check out.

Randy

 

Pressure Tast the cooling system first.
Also run your car without the cap and watch the water as you turn it on.
If it's clear and no bubbles you don't have a blown cooling jacket.if you do notice bubbles and foamy water exactly the opposite.And last use a bright light and even tint the water to locate the hard to find leaks.
Want a temporary fix then try out some cooling system leak stoppers from kragen or your local car parts store.
If you see water from under your car then check directly above the leak for the problem area.

 

If you're losing that much coolant, I would think you'd see a considerable amount of white smoke coming out of the exhaust. If your O rings were blown, that is. Check all your coolant hoses (turbo, rad, tbody, heater). I bet you find the leak in one of them.

 

That much coolant that fast and you would be fogging out the exhaust. I dont even think the car would idle engulfing that much water internally. It's not the motor. Pressure test and find the bad hose. G

 

Thanks for the advice guys. I figured it wasn't the motor when it idled perfect with no smoke. I'll check all problem spots probably to today or tomorrow. I have company coming over today, so won't be able to work on her too much.

 

Where do I get the pressure tester?

 

I believe Sears has one. About $100 iirc. You may be able to rent one from the local auto parts store.

I think you'd see the leak as soon as you start the car. Might want to try that first.

 

Yeah, I'll do that first. Don't want to spend money if I don't have to.

Can anyone explain that water running sound? Doesn't sound like a faucet. It sounds like water running in a pipe. Maybe it was the car leaking the radiator fluid slowly?

 

if the leak is on the driverside it is probley the hose in your hand or the quick disconect beside the oilfilter.

 

Jesus Christ!!!! Start the ******* car and look for the ******* leak!!!! Its not that ******* complicated!!!

 

LOL ^^^^^^^^^ Bump for clarity

 

HAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm at work right now! I'll try and get to it when I get home. HAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Adam is about to lose his mind haha!

 

umm, when coolant seals blow, coolant leaks INSIDE the engine, not out onto the ground...

 

Yes, I know that now...Never had a blown coolant seal, nor do I want one prematurely. I am praying this motor last a few 10k more miles, but I'm on the line of about to need a rebuild. It has been 15 years, and past 80k miles on her.

 

OKAY! I found the leak. I even felt the cut in the hose. Now please, can someone identify this hose, and if you have a part number that would be awesome. I will order it tomorrow!

-Jeff

It's the hose from the rear plate to the metal tube on the firewall.

 

I went off this. I didn't even get to start the car, and found out right away (DAMN LUCKY!). Though everyones advice was great. I would have used it all if I had not found the leak. I just went under the car, and felt around where I saw moisture. Next thing you know after I squeeze the hose, freaking liduid started dripping. I felt a bit more, and felt a rip right behind the clamp. Damn old hoes....