Coolent leak...

I seem to have a pretty nice coolent leak and I am not sure where it is coming from. Any help would be really nice.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/SleepyKlown/3453.jpg

Year/engine?

What have you ruled out? Water pump, radiator, hoses including the heater hoses, external cooling plumbing at the top of the engine, radiator cap? Where do you see it aside from underneath?

Waterpump - I bet. But check all of your hoses out first.

If I'm looking at your picture right, the leak is coming down in front of the oil pan? Directly underneith your driving belts?

We need year/engine/mileage to assist better in the answer though?

Any overheating, or funny noises?

nice picture, but i'm not sure what i'm looking at (from this angle :p ).

is it front of engine or rear?

//bc

It is a 95 rodeo with 160k(?) miles on it and yes it is comming down from the front of the oil pan. It is not my car so I dont have access to it right now to find out what engine but I believe it is a V6 3.2L MFI. I haven't really dug into it to rule much out because like I said the car isn't mine.. But I know it is not the radiator nor the hoses directly connected to it. Thanks for the input so far.

If it's not the hoses, and at 160k, depending on it's maintenance history and whether or not that waterpump is original - my money's on that waterpump, in which with a leak like what's in the picture, it needs taken care of ASAP!

This 3.2L engine is all aluminum - don't allow it to overheat. I'm almost certain by the picture that it is in fact the 3.2L V6. I had this same leaking issue last winter in the fridgid cold when my waterpump gave out too.

At the same time you're doing the waterpump, might as well change out the timing belt, timing belt tensioner and waterpump all at once. The waterpump is behind the timing belt; and the timing belt tensioner is an absolute MUST do at the time of a new pump and belt.

Tell your friend that if the truck starts to sound like it's throwing a rod, it's at the end of life for the pump and the belt. What I'm saying, is this engine will sound like it's going to throw a rod when the timing belt tensioner or waterpump are failing.

How hard is it to change out the water pump? Would it be worth the money to take it to a shop? I am a pretty good machanic when it comes to GM cars but I have never messed with an isuzu. No noises as of yet exept for a squeeky belt on cold starts but she says it has always been like that, and says it goes away if you turn the head lights on then off? No idea why the lights would make the noice go away but she says thats all she does to make it go away.

Check small hose going under thermostat housing ang connected to pas. side head. This connection often leak and it show at front of engine.
Look for picture by surferfletch and you get what I am talking about.

A squeaky belt that's affected by the lights on the Isuzu's mean that it's the alternator belt - probably needs changed out too. If she's looking to keep the truck another good 2yrs, it's MORE then worth it to change all the belts, hoses, coolant, etc while this is in progress.

Sounds like it could be the Water Pumper..... Mine started to leak out the "Weep Hole" at around 151,000 miles.... I found it when I went to do the Timing Belt and caught it just in time!!! Wheeew. (It wasn't making any noises or leaking outside the timing cover. Hope your buddy gets it fixed - definitely don't run these engines hot; if you keep 'em cool they will run for a long time!

-Scott

Your leak looks exactly like the one I am have.

Its pretty cold here in Boston right now and one morning when I moved my car I saw A LOT of coolant in the driveway where my car was parked. I put the car on ramps and took a look and saw the exact same view that your picture is showing. I poked around the area and could not find the the leak. Its not the hoses, radiator, and its looks like its more directly under the engine (neither front or back). So I can't tell if its front of back.

The really weird thing is that I ran the engine for about 20 minutes thinking that the pressure would increase the leak. After 20 minutes, the leak stopped and its been 3 days since and there are no puddles of coolant under my car. I am pretty confused. I am thinking the heat expanded the gaskets or seals and reformed them into a tight seal (I could be totally wrong.) I checked the level and its on target so I am wodering why the leak stopped.

Better safe than sorry, I called a couple of mechanics to get estimates for timing belt/ tensioner / waterpump and hoses and am getting a figure between 900 and 1100 dollars to do the job.

This is beyond my expertise so I will have to get the job done. I am scheduled for this coming Friday and will go get it done because I am a worry wart and I don't want a minor leak becoming a major problem (waterpump going).

Any experts got any ideas why the leak completely stopped? By the way, its a 99 Rodeo LSE 6 cyclinder.

Thanks!

BY THE WAY, THANKS FOR ALL THE GREAT POSTS AND ADVICE, I've never posted before and have found many solutions to small problems with all your help and advice. This is for all you contributors!

Stantony1 - your's kind of sounds more like a hose leaking, would make sense once the engine comes up to temp a bit, hoses expand.

But, seeing as your both at or over 150k, definitely best to do waterpump, belt, tensioner and all hoses, NOT just the big upper & lower.

Your price range sounds about right - I paid $1100 for the timing belt package, waterpump, camshaft/crankshaft seals (they're right there), radiator flush, all new coolant hoses (7 or 8 can't remember for sure), new starter (croaked at the same time), transmission flush w/filter.

I know these are less likely possibilities, but remember that there are external cooling pipes above the block and below the intake that use o-rings to seal their entry into the water manifold at the back of the engine and the thermostat housing at the front of the engine, and there are freeze (or casting) plugs between the back of the engine and the tranny.

Yeah hers is like that too.. It only leaks really bad if you let the truck cool then fill it with antifreeze, but if you start it up and let it warm the leak will stop. It also stops when she is out of coolent:p

Ok I am on DAY 4 os spotting the initial leak and there has been NO leaks since that first day.

Coolant level is full. Temps are stable. No weird noises. The rodeo is running as normal.

I am checking every time I get out to the car and the leak has disappeared.

WEIRD.

Sleepklown - Try not to allow it to run out of coolant - she'll fry that engine in nothing flat. These are all aluminum and the heads will crack.

If it's leaking enough that you're having to add that much antifreeze, and no hoses are obviously wet, then there is a major leak somewhere, i.e. either the waterpump (intermittent) or the leak surferfletch is referring too, which is under the manifold.

Replaced timing belt, tensioner, waterpump, idler pulley, crankshaft/camshaft seals. Total cost 1100.

My mechanic said that the gaskets in the waterpump gave way and the timing belt area was contaminated with coolant which made a mess of things.

He said I was a lucky lucky man because the tensioner was bad and the pully was bad too. He said that if those went, it was like throwing a hand grenade into the engine.

I guess it was a good idea to bring the 99 rodeo in for preventative maintenance at 71K!!!

I thought the items mentioned lasted till 100K though? Any thoughts? And I don't beat my car. I drive it on roads and don't have an aggressive style of driving.

I guess you're going to have to pay top dollar in Boston. I did it myself for the cost of parts at 144K, and I had it done at a shop at 60K for $600 (I think?). If you're keeping the vehicle awhile, and you don't want to work in 10 degree weather, it's worth every penny.

Yeah. I called around for rough estimates and it was between 950-1300 dollars from 4 garages.

I actually changed out a broken taillight today for my mom and out there for 10 minutes with a screwdriver and 2 screws and a bulb. I was so cold, I couldnt get a grip on the SCREW DRIVER!

For the peace of mind, I have NO complaints for the job done today.

Thanks for the input!

thats a leaking 3.2L W/P alright
do yourself a favor replace the t-belt and tensioner while your there

oh by the way the inside of a the 3.2 is lined with anti grenade armor
I can all the proof that this engine will not be destroyed if the belt breaks

I have the same area, and problem leak, only leaks in the heat or long driving. I was told my water pump is the likly but not (sure) cause.

I have the same area, and problem leak, only leaks in the heat or long driving. I was told my water pump is the likly but not (sure) cause. then take care of it pronto if you are sure. it's more than the coolant leak. you don't want your water pump failing. sometimes its obvious. sometimes its a slow death and not so obvious and in the meantime you risk overheating. now that *will* 'blowup' the engine, so to speak.

//bc

I haven't had any extra money to repair it. However I keep anti freeze in my car just in case hehe.