guysandiego

Got my 1st coolant light in 3 years -- It was low and I topped her off -- Couple of hours later - its on again ... Car temps didnt raise -

I notice dripping coming from the passenger wheel area -- took off the wheel and liner -- bam !!! there is some leaking issues in there --

Well, what that area supposed to look like? whats are its functions?

I see a reserve tank for coolant - and some pumps and sensors --

HOOK UP --- ALL INFO USEFUL

reitmeid

I got the low coolant light a couple times, topped off a few ounces, but never could really see where the leak was. Then one day returning to my car after dinner, I saw quite a large puddle underneath. Got home, and as I poked around the auxilliary coolant pump, it squirted out from there. I pinched off the in/out hoses, removed the pump, took off the top, cleaned, reassembled the pump with a tad of sealant on the o-rings, tightened the screws down good, and it hasn't leaked since. Sounds like you might have the same isssue.

guysandiego

NOt sure if we are talking about the same thing

If your inside the engine bay -- look at your window washer tank -- its directly under it inside the quarter panel. You must remove the passenger front tire and wheel liner.

There is another tank which holds coolant -- it has some sensors and a really small pump. Anyone have a diagram to this -- want to know what their functions are -- mine is leaking -- thinking about taking it out and pluging the holes -- I cant get it into the dealer til the middle of the week.

adianaty

I believe the little tank your talking about which is underneath the air conditioning filter is the headlight washer reservoir. The only coolant in that area is from the heater hoses. There are couplings and clamps there that could be leaking.

guysandiego

well- why is warm coolant going into there? I am getting some major leaking near a small motor --- can i just yank the motor and cork the hole???
I really need to buy a few days until I can get her into the dealer.

If its a tank for the headlight washer -- is it under pressure? I dont want to blow off a hose ---

outrun

curious on this also.

Stephen04E55

isn't there a heating element in the washer reservior?

adianaty

As stated there is a heating element in the washer system. Here are the diagrams for each of the major components in the area including the heater hoses, washer bottle with heating element that uses warm coolant to heat up the washer fluid, and the extra reservoir for the headlamp washer. I think with this you should be able to describe it better but the coolant going into the washer bottle can be bypassed with no issues.

For future reference all these diagrams are available on EPC for free. There is a link here for it somewhere that I'm sure you can search for. It's free and has saved my *** a thousand times...

guysandiego

As most of you - I never use or have much use for the headlight washing unit --

How would I go about: having the coolant bypass this silly 'luxury item'.

I just want a quick fix so my coolant is not leaking from the #500 area in the 2nd diagram -- also leaking from #85.

Is this tank under pressure?? or just a storage circulation tank -- #833 is some type of sensor and its pretty loose -- I dont want to bypass that motor just to see another weak leak exposed...

adianaty

If its leaking from 500 and 85 that is not coolant but instead wiper washer fluid. The only coolant that is in there is running through metal lines on #40 which is the heating element and I can't see how that would fail and leak coolant into the reservoir. The tank its leaking from and the motor your talking about is for your windshield wiper spray. The rubber seal gets hard after awhile and it will leak since I have had to change mine already. You can get a new one or pull it out and put silicone on the outside of it where it seats onto the tank and also onto the motor. The silicone is really a temp fix and the right thing to do is just buy a new rubber seal. The liquid should smell a bit like alcohol or windex and not be slippery on your hands. I think your coolant light and this might be unrelated.

guysandiego

this is odd - but this is what is happening -- i filled the coolant tank - the black one: Front driver's side.

I ran the car and it went empty and the stated area was flowing water- the water was warm and mostly water cause this was the 3rd pitcher of water.

So, I cant explain it but it is certainly coolant... and I have managed to tame the leak... any other input or solutions??

adianaty

Then bypass #40 in the second diagram using either the #100 or #105 line and looping it back to the heater/coolant hose. Choose whichever is easier to get to since there isn't much room. I can't see how else coolant is getting into that tank. I think I have a spare #40 if you need one. You have to remove the coolant tank to get #40 out which is a b***h. Good luck and if there is anything else I can do to help, let me know.

guysandiego

Sounds good -- I will try that -- but another thought -- since that tank is already storing some coolant -- can't I just seal it up tightly and use it that way and eliminate the washer function?

Which brings me to my earlier question -- isnt the coolant system under alot of pressure -- if so - i am not confident I can fully secure that whole tank --- better to just bypass like you said -

adianaty

Don't try to seal it. The filler neck for the washer reservoir is like an inch in diameter with no clamps just a slip through rubber grommet. If you get any positive pressure in there it will leak for sure. Bypass and have that stupid metal heater fixed or just leave it that way. I doubt it will ever get cold enough in Florida where you will need heated washer fluid. Hope that helps.

guysandiego

Ok - bypass it is -- but when I take out the silly #40 thingy -- I will connect the #100 hose to the #105?

using the first diagram -- looking at the large #100-- 2 smaller branch off towards the washer system -- I should just plug and seal the 2 hoses??

that would be the easiest solution - right? I hope its this easy --

guysandiego

that was pretty simple -- much easier than trying to fix that leaky pump and seal ---

I just by passed the whole unit at the top of the engine -- right under the cabin filter and next to the AUX battery --

I also decided to take that tank and heave it..


thanks for the much needed assistance

adianaty

Excellent, I think that should fix it! Keep me posted since to your earlier point this was a weird one.