Coolant Leak

[Bear]

Posted this on other forums but no response.

1998 Neon, DOHC, MTX, 76,000 miles and I have a small coolant leak. The fluid is leaking at the front rear of the engine (firewall side) and it is pooling where the pan meets the block as well as a little on the oil filter flange. It is not the reservoir or the reservoir hose, and I can't feel any on the head at the gasket area (new head gasket at 26,000 miles and it was the MLS style). I suspect the water pump but would she weep enough to allow fluid to pool at the bottom of the front engine cover and then seep out from the front engine cover? Also, the radiator is full and the fluid level is gradually lowering in the reservoir. If anyone has had this problem let me know and also what you did.

[das2123]

I haven't had your exact problem but if you eliminated the possibility of a cracked reservoir, a leaky hose, HG then I would suspect the water pump as well. Did you change the water pump when you replaced the HG?

[Bear]

Thanks for the response. No i did not change water pump when I changed Head gasket as she only had 26,000 miles on the ODO. I feel that the WP is weeping and coolant is leaking down, pooling, and finally escaping pas the timing get outer cover. I wi9ll let all of you know what I find.

[das2123]

I hear ya on not changing it because of the mileage, but I have learned to go ahead and do things like that because I do not like going back in. The pump is about $30-$40 and you are already in there. Keep us posted.

[Bear]

Well took cover off and the pump gasket was leaking so I replaced the pump and timing belt and all is well. (PITA of a job as there is little room to maneuver, but she is done).