i need some help finding an obvious coolant leak.
i had this two times in the last few weeks.
i start the car up, and after approx. 2 minutes, when the exhaust/engine is warm enough, and some steam is coming out of the tailpipe, i notice steam from the engine bay

i open the hood, and see steam coming from the firewall. i looked under the car and it seems to come from somewhere in the downpipe area.

the last time this happened, i shut the car off, and heard a hissing sound, as if water drops on the hot downpipe.

to make it short: which coolant hoses should i inspect?
heater hoses?? TB-hoses?
all my other problems where in the engine bay (like turbo issues etc.) so the only time i spent under the car was fpr plug and oil changes, and never looked at the hoses (shame on me).

photos or illustrations would be great!

that would also explain my low coolant level in the filler neck (i hope )

and yes, i searched but couldn't find anything useable



Chris

 

Well have you got the light out yet and felt around for soft coolant lines yet? There is a couple of tubes where hoses are cupled to them... first start at the top on the UIM passenger side corner... then look for what should be a 1" tube 6-8" down from the top rear of the fire wall and chase it to its connection which is around the rear turbo... also get to searching the manual....
Ryker

 

SOFT coolant lines?

Every time I've ever inspected an FD3S they turn as hard as a rock from heat.

Check the two lines that go to the turbos. You'll need to take the air pump off. If they have never been replaced I guarantee you that is where the leak is. They may look OK but replace them anyway.
Buy some curved tip, long, needle nose pliers to take the clamps off/on. Makes a very frustrating job easy.
They usualy leak at the clamps where they join the turbos. Replace with new two OEM hoses AND 4 clamps. Don't re-use the old clamps - they've heat cycled their way to any early grave.

 

I'm with rob, check the coolant lines that go into the turbos, I had that some problem once. You'll have to do some diging to ge to them but I'm sure you'll fix the leak.

Matt

 

Chances are high that your leak may be from one of the two heater core hoses that enter/exit the firewall. These entry/exit nipples sit directly above the downpipe and would be the first place to look. One of those hoses comes up the passenger side firewall and routes behind the engine, parts of the line are metal, and then ultimately goes to the large metal nipple on the drivers side nipple (the one directly under the oil sensor sending unit) and has a blace "quick-connect". If you get under the car with a mag lite and look up you'll likely see coolant collecting there when the car is cool.

 

sorry for the late reply guys

thanks for your great infos, now i know at least where to start

Chris

 

It's got to be either the turbo coolant hoses or the heater connections at the firewall. You can inspect the heater lines pretty easily; check those first. If they're alright then pull the airpump; the turbo coolant lines are behind it.

 

ok thanks ! i'll try as soon as possible

 

I think I had that same problem.
A coolant hose going to the heater core connecting to the firewall had a loose clamp.
Some coolant would drip and hit the DP and burn up causing steam.
The clamp was sort of a pain in the *** to get to and move around. I ended up using a zip tie to seal tighten the hose.
No more leaks or steam.