Coolant Leak... Ideas?
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A w124, w202, and a few bimmers
Coolant Leak... Ideas?
Hey all, I got a slight problem. About 2 days ago, my cars coolant light came on. I thought, hey its summer, no big deal... just top it up, right? So I did, everything was fine.
Yesterday, I go to lunch, get some food... park my car and let it run for probably 5 minutes before I get out, and then shut it off. I go around the passenger side of my car, and I notice this green puddle. (Yeah, I know we should use the MB stuff, but I was going to flush it out anyway next week.) So I pop open the hood, the coolant res is about 1/3 full.. the other day I filled it all the way up, so I dunno.
The leak looks to becoming from the passenger side of the car, I know its not the coolant tank or the radiator, because its not leaking from either one of them and the tank is holding pressure. The car runs fine, I see no white smoke at start up or while driving, so headgasket is out of the picture. (That and it was replaced 1000miles ago so it better not be or I'll be pissed.)
I can't see the leak from the top of the engine, but I can see it dripping when I look underneath (I'm think its dripping off of the sway bar), so I think its in the middle section of the by the motor.
What do you guys think it is? I was thinking it could be the water pump, but I don't have access to my jack and jackstands to verify this. If it is the pump, how hard is it to change on the 3.2?
Thanks all!
Yesterday, I go to lunch, get some food... park my car and let it run for probably 5 minutes before I get out, and then shut it off. I go around the passenger side of my car, and I notice this green puddle. (Yeah, I know we should use the MB stuff, but I was going to flush it out anyway next week.) So I pop open the hood, the coolant res is about 1/3 full.. the other day I filled it all the way up, so I dunno.
The leak looks to becoming from the passenger side of the car, I know its not the coolant tank or the radiator, because its not leaking from either one of them and the tank is holding pressure. The car runs fine, I see no white smoke at start up or while driving, so headgasket is out of the picture. (That and it was replaced 1000miles ago so it better not be or I'll be pissed.)
I can't see the leak from the top of the engine, but I can see it dripping when I look underneath (I'm think its dripping off of the sway bar), so I think its in the middle section of the by the motor.
What do you guys think it is? I was thinking it could be the water pump, but I don't have access to my jack and jackstands to verify this. If it is the pump, how hard is it to change on the 3.2?
Thanks all!
Thread Starter
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From: California
A w124, w202, and a few bimmers
Ok, I did a little looking and found a diagram of the engine... looks like the water pump is at the drivers front of the engine by the power steering pump... this means it can't be the water pump because thats not even the correct side as the where the leak is coming from.
Thoughts?
I forgot to mention, my engine has 158,5xx miles and with the exception of this fault runs sliky smooth.
Thoughts?
I forgot to mention, my engine has 158,5xx miles and with the exception of this fault runs sliky smooth.
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95 E320, 19 Ram 1500 Hemi, 21 GLS 580(wife)
Look at the aux water pump on the passenger side frame rail. It is prone to leaks, I know mine does.
these often leak at the joint between the black plastic housing parts.
I bet you that is it....
these often leak at the joint between the black plastic housing parts.
I bet you that is it....
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From: California
A w124, w202, and a few bimmers
So, looks like I found the leak... its at the drain plug in the block.
I'm wondering how the hell this thing started leaking? Anyway, I tried taking it out with my 19mm, but all its doing is stripping... so I don't know. How do you guys get yours out? I'm thinking once it get it out, I'll clean it out and put some thread seal on it so I won't have to deal with it again.
I'm wondering how the hell this thing started leaking? Anyway, I tried taking it out with my 19mm, but all its doing is stripping... so I don't know. How do you guys get yours out? I'm thinking once it get it out, I'll clean it out and put some thread seal on it so I won't have to deal with it again.
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Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
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From: California
A w124, w202, and a few bimmers
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1994 E320 Dragon Wagon
Sure, Teflon tape is your friend. You don't want chunks breaking off in your coolant or oil passages so reasonable care is taken taping the fitting before install. Do not apply to exhaust fittings like an EGR valve due to temp.
