First Coolant Leak (Pics too)
#1
FD dream is dead
Thread Starter
First Coolant Leak (Pics too)
I was at the gym, parked on a slant, and noticed a stream of coolant flowing down the car. I drove home, scared shitless that my car is going to over heat, and checked the engine bay.
I didn't see any leaks from the top, so i looked underneath and saw that coolant was dripping onto the undertray and then dripping on the floor ( Picture here -> http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...y/P5260082.jpg ). Then i looked through the nose of the car and saw that some coolant was dripping from the radiator area onto the condenser ( Picture here -> http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...y/P5260078.jpg ).
I haven't driven the car since. No coolant has been dropping from the car so i'm assuming it only leaks while the car is on. I removed the intake pipes and didn't see anything fromt the top.
What do i need to do to get to the radiator? Any suggestions on what the problem might be? This sucks because my car has been down for a week and a half and i don't trust anyone to work on it (shops i mean). Anyways, thanks for any suggestions.
Clayton T.
I didn't see any leaks from the top, so i looked underneath and saw that coolant was dripping onto the undertray and then dripping on the floor ( Picture here -> http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...y/P5260082.jpg ). Then i looked through the nose of the car and saw that some coolant was dripping from the radiator area onto the condenser ( Picture here -> http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...y/P5260078.jpg ).
I haven't driven the car since. No coolant has been dropping from the car so i'm assuming it only leaks while the car is on. I removed the intake pipes and didn't see anything fromt the top.
What do i need to do to get to the radiator? Any suggestions on what the problem might be? This sucks because my car has been down for a week and a half and i don't trust anyone to work on it (shops i mean). Anyways, thanks for any suggestions.
Clayton T.
#2
The Laser Man
Take out your radiator and get it pressure tested from any shop.... that will be easy or get your own pressure testing kit if you are skeptical....
If the radiator is leaking it maybe the plastic end tanks where it cracked over time..... then...just get a all aluminum radiator.....
and ALSO!!!~~~ make sure you get the aluminum coolant Air Separation Tank!!!~~~~~
If the radiator is leaking it maybe the plastic end tanks where it cracked over time..... then...just get a all aluminum radiator.....
and ALSO!!!~~~ make sure you get the aluminum coolant Air Separation Tank!!!~~~~~
#4
Import Connoisseur
could be a leak in a hose, i've seen that before same symptoms. When the car was off i caught a very slight leak from the hose connecting to the thermostat housing. When the car runs the water circulates via the water pump . Shutting the car off the pressure my rise and there is your leak. refill your coolant and let her get up to temp. shut the car off and watch, removing the under tray will make finding the leak easier....keep us updated
#5
Racecar - Formula 2000
The thermostat seal (in the thermostat housing) can leak due to corrosion in the groove that the seal seats in - I had one do that. There was just a 1/8 dia spot that was corroded. BTW, I have always used and regularly changed EG antifreeze 50-50, so it can happen to anyone.
Trending Topics
#8
Originally Posted by apex_sideway
I haven't driven the car since. No coolant has been dropping from the car so i'm assuming it only leaks while the car is on. I removed the intake pipes and didn't see anything fromt the top.
Also, coolant leaking off of the undertray can be coming from a few places, so you'll have to start inspecting hoses a bit higher.
#9
FD dream is dead
Thread Starter
I'm going to borrow some of my friends lift equipment next week. I took off the intake. Is it okay to start the car without a intake to look for this leak? Thanks- Clayton T.
#13
Originally Posted by apex_sideway
I'm going to borrow some of my friends lift equipment next week. I took off the intake. Is it okay to start the car without a intake to look for this leak? Thanks- Clayton T.
Also, how constant are your coolant levels (keep an eye on that)? Any more leaks after letting the car sit when cool or warm since?
#14
FD dream is dead
Thread Starter
Oh no, i haven't had any leaks when the car is cool. It sits in the garage so the temp is always around a certain level. The car only leaks when it's on . . .
#15
13B Rotary Turbo
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: South California
Posts: 649
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Could be the coolant line to the turbos, but most likely not if the condenser is wet. Coolant reservior bottle would only leak on the side it sits on. I would take out the undertray and check all your lines. My guess is thermostat housing.
Mikey
Mikey
#16
Rotary Freak
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 2,444
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I would check the turbo coolant hoses first. They commonly leave coolant on the undertray (not sure if it ever gets on the condensor) and are also prone to failure. If they aren't the culprit check the rest of the hoses; here is a cooling system diagram:
http://www.autosportracetech.com/RX-7/coolingsystem.htm
It would probably be best just to replace all the hoses, that's what I'm doing this summer .
EDIT: One more thing, DON'T drive the car until this is fixed.
http://www.autosportracetech.com/RX-7/coolingsystem.htm
It would probably be best just to replace all the hoses, that's what I'm doing this summer .
EDIT: One more thing, DON'T drive the car until this is fixed.
#19
13B Rotary Turbo
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: South California
Posts: 649
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Make sure you check out the hoses 1st. I would check in the order of:
1. radiator hoses
2. ast hoses
3. thermostat housing gasket (seal)
4. radiator pressure test
5. ect ect ect
That would be my order just because of the location of the leak.. Who knows, it may just be that your clamps got a little loose/brittle. (my 1st coolant leak)
Mikey
1. radiator hoses
2. ast hoses
3. thermostat housing gasket (seal)
4. radiator pressure test
5. ect ect ect
That would be my order just because of the location of the leak.. Who knows, it may just be that your clamps got a little loose/brittle. (my 1st coolant leak)
Mikey
#20
FD dream is dead
Thread Starter
Cool guys, i'm doing this today I'll post on the forum if i have any troubles . . . any more suggestions will be appercated.
I've never worked a car before so this should be fun. My buddy is bringing all the lift equipment and is teaching me how to use it properly. Later-Clayton T.
I've never worked a car before so this should be fun. My buddy is bringing all the lift equipment and is teaching me how to use it properly. Later-Clayton T.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
RPOdesign
New Member RX-7 Technical
5
08-27-15 11:42 PM