the red pill

Another coolant leak.

...

However it's not from anywhere else I've had problems with leaks before. It's another new location, a brand new leak. All I can tell so far is that coolant is dripping off of some metal lip in front of the oil pan. I tried following the trail up and it looks like it's going to the driver's side of the engine. But I checked the hoses for the cooling system and they are all dry and tight. Plus I checked around the radiator, a/c condensor, and all that good stuff and it's all bone dry. It's a pretty quick drip though, it must have just started yesterday because the light just came on this afternoon and within about 5 miles of driving the overflow bottle was almost empty.

Any ideas what this could be? The coolant that was dripping off felt really greasy, like oil. But it was still green. I checked the dipstick and it didn't have a milky look to it so I don't think it's a leaky headgasket but who knows.

Thanks.

TPW

It sounds like you elimated the east stuff.

SteveJ_in_TX

The only other thing up in that part of the engine is the T-stat housing, but if it's torqued right they almost never weep.

Prolly a water pump, so I guess my question is: when was the timing belt last changed? If you're not sure, then it was time to change it and this was just an annoyance.

By annoyance I mean I would rather change a water pump than a cyl. head from the belt snapping.

TPW

The waterpump on my diesel went out this summer and all the leaking came from behind the cover, it was impossible to detect. I changed the timing belt and the idler pulley while I was in there. I also changed the injecter pump belt and had the timing re-set. That car is now running better than ever, should be good for another 160K.

the red pill

Water pump and timing belt were changed 20,000 miles ago. I would think I should get more than 20,000 miles out of the water pump. Oh well. I imagine changing the water pump is a very time intensive and expensive procedure isn't it?

SteveJ_in_TX

I would check with them on what kind of waterpump they used. Many of the chain stores (Sears, Pep Boys, etc.) offer a parts warranty of some type, maybe yours was bought at a wholesaler that offers a warranty on the part.

Worth a look, at any rate, since a waterpump should last more than 20,000 miles.

Good luck.

the red pill

the job was done by the previous owner's mechanic back on the east coast.