I have a 98 GT Convertible and for the last couple of weeks I"ve noticed a coolant leak. It doesn't leak all the time, and appears to only leak after I've turned the engine off. It dumps what looks like 1/2 cup of coolant then stops, the car never heats up, and it only leaks once in a while. I notice the coolant dripping from the pan righ under the engine (sorry not automotive literate). I can't figure out any common thread for when it leaks. Any ideas?
Coolant Leak
- Thread starter johnsonsinutah
- Start date
nyuk98gt
15 Year Member
johnsonsinutah:
It could be the o-ring on the thermostat. That's what to hope for, lol. But, I'm afraid that the most likely thing is that the intake is cracked.
The usual spot is the plastic crossover that holds the temperature gauge sensor and the engine coolant temperature sensor. The new (replacement) NPI intake is exactly the same as the old one but has an aluminum crossover. Most people put in a PI intake but it is not an exact swap -- the coolant ports don't match up exactly and the intake port shapes are different. A little RTV sealant will work or you can get adapter plates (like I did, $$). Search for "intake swap" and you will find a ton of good threads and how-to's. You can do it or you can ask your favorite technician to do it if you are not comfortable with your wrenching skills.
HTH,
Chris
It could be the o-ring on the thermostat. That's what to hope for, lol. But, I'm afraid that the most likely thing is that the intake is cracked.
The usual spot is the plastic crossover that holds the temperature gauge sensor and the engine coolant temperature sensor. The new (replacement) NPI intake is exactly the same as the old one but has an aluminum crossover. Most people put in a PI intake but it is not an exact swap -- the coolant ports don't match up exactly and the intake port shapes are different. A little RTV sealant will work or you can get adapter plates (like I did, $$). Search for "intake swap" and you will find a ton of good threads and how-to's. You can do it or you can ask your favorite technician to do it if you are not comfortable with your wrenching skills.
HTH,
Chris
If it is the intake manifold, wouldn't I see some coolant either leaking or pooling in the engine compartment? When I look under the hood, everything is a dry as a bone. The only place I can see it is when it drips underneath the car, almost under the dash, but I know that any liquid leaking may travel quite a ways before it can be seen. I've read some threads and am wondering if it could be the heater core? But, what would explain the sporadic nature of the leak? I can drive it 5 miles to work and when I come out in the evening there is coolant on the ground, drive it 5 miles home and the next morning the garage floor is as clean as can be??
kalvick
Founding Member
i had a similar problem recently all the coolant would appear by the front of my oil pan. But I couldnt find a source. it turned out my water pump was broken. replacing it stopped my coolant issues.
http://earth.geology.yale.edu/kalvick/pics/problem3.jpg here does your car look like this? if so its your water pump.
fortunately its an easy fix.
water pumps fail, and perhaps a weep hole is popped letting out a little coolant. my car was a catastrophic failure and everything came out at once.
http://earth.geology.yale.edu/kalvick/pics/problem3.jpg here does your car look like this? if so its your water pump.
fortunately its an easy fix.
water pumps fail, and perhaps a weep hole is popped letting out a little coolant. my car was a catastrophic failure and everything came out at once.
nyuk98gt
15 Year Member
johnsonsinutah:
Coolant leaks are sneaky, in my experience. "kalvick" makes a good point about the water pump. The leak can be slithering down and running along the underside of the oilpan before dripping off a bolt near the back. Next, look at the firewall where the heater hoses are connected and check for any "crust" at the joints -- that's evidence of a leak. The NPI intake can leak anywhere but I mentioned the crossover because it is a common area of failure. Look at the the heater hose connection on the back of the intake because the leak might be there. There's some stress on that vertical nozzle and it is possible that it has cracked in that spot. That nipple can't be repaired (again, imo). You might be able to cut it off and install a large brass fitting (tap the intake, apply lots of JB Weld) and then use a brass pipe-to-tubing adapter but I don't know if this will last a long time. I think replacing the intake manifold would be easier and produce more reliable results.
If all else fails, you can have the system pressure tested. The tech will add some dye to the coolant and then search for the leak with a black light (or something similar). This will cost you a trip to the shop and my biggest concern is overpressuring the heater core (they are a huge pain to swap out).
GL and post back with an update (when you pinpoint the leak).
Chris
Coolant leaks are sneaky, in my experience. "kalvick" makes a good point about the water pump. The leak can be slithering down and running along the underside of the oilpan before dripping off a bolt near the back. Next, look at the firewall where the heater hoses are connected and check for any "crust" at the joints -- that's evidence of a leak. The NPI intake can leak anywhere but I mentioned the crossover because it is a common area of failure. Look at the the heater hose connection on the back of the intake because the leak might be there. There's some stress on that vertical nozzle and it is possible that it has cracked in that spot. That nipple can't be repaired (again, imo). You might be able to cut it off and install a large brass fitting (tap the intake, apply lots of JB Weld) and then use a brass pipe-to-tubing adapter but I don't know if this will last a long time. I think replacing the intake manifold would be easier and produce more reliable results.
If all else fails, you can have the system pressure tested. The tech will add some dye to the coolant and then search for the leak with a black light (or something similar). This will cost you a trip to the shop and my biggest concern is overpressuring the heater core (they are a huge pain to swap out).
GL and post back with an update (when you pinpoint the leak).
Chris
Im glad the intake cracked, just got my butt to do what I was planning on doing.Similar threads
