Coolant leaks out from here

[piper6909]

Originally Posted by vkmotorsports

sort of. there was drips from the front body part area, and then also from the plastic shield cover area. It could just be the same leak flowing forward since my driveway slopes downward and the car nose was along that slope.

I did not take a picture but next time i will take a picture to mark the exact location. Either way I have to lift the car up fully and take out the plastic shields and examine stuff.

In that case, yes, it could very well be rolling toward the front of the car with the driveway slope. Otherwise, although highly unlikely, it could be one of the tubes running to the front of the car.

[pilot4fn]

Originally Posted by piper6909

In that case, yes, it could very well be rolling toward the front of the car with the driveway slope. Otherwise, although highly unlikely, it could be one of the tubes running to the front of the car.

I had this weekend a small leak pretty much in same location as the OP has, showing mostly at the under the front of the engine bellypan. Also a small amount of water dripped little more forward (maybe under the seats location) as I was racing at the track.
Had to retire before last two starts and took the car home driving it... while keeping cabin heater on HOT sertting and selecting only highway roads to allow coolant to stay relateively cool - I have a low temp thermostat.
No leaks on the way home for 110km and temp stayed low.

Opened the bellypan under the engine and found out the leak coming from water temperature sensor, but only when the water was at normal or higher operating temperature and the water pressure was high.

[Frodo]

Unless I've missed it, a question or two that haven't been asked: How many miles on the car when you got it? And, to your knowledge, has the WP ever been replaced (by you or the PO)? If not, it's waaaaay overdue.

[Starter986]

Originally Posted by pilot4fn

I had this weekend a small leak pretty much in same location as the OP has, showing mostly at the under the front of the engine bellypan. Also a small amount of water dripped little more forward (maybe under the seats location) as I was racing at the track.
Had to retire before last two starts and took the car home driving it... while keeping cabin heater on HOT sertting and selecting only highway roads to allow coolant to stay relateively cool - I have a low temp thermostat.
No leaks on the way home for 110km and temp stayed low.

Opened the bellypan under the engine and found out the leak coming from water temperature sensor, but only when the water was at normal or higher operating temperature and the water pressure was high.

You do know the low temp therm has absolutely nothing to do with how hot/cool your engine runs, right?

Have you considered snuging up the temp sensor?

[pilot4fn]

Originally Posted by Starter986

You do know the low temp therm has absolutely nothing to do with how hot/cool your engine runs, right?

Have you considered snuging up the temp sensor?

Yes, I did get the low temp thermostat to get the water circulation open sooner

I have a new sensor on a way already and will swap it later this week as there is two large water hoses that run right below the motor mount that look like they'll at the end of the life already and I'll swap those as well.

These leaks showed up now as I changed the slightly leaking coolant reservoir last week and the pressure is now staying at the normal level :ah:

[Frodo]

So it's not a water pump leak? You've ruled that out?

If that's, by any chance, the original (would seem unlikely, but I think I've heard of them going that long) you should definitely change it out.

[vkmotorsports]

Hello All,
I finally found time a month later to do this fix, as life got in the way.

I removed the belly pans/splash shield first. Did a coolant pressure test to 19PSI and actually now can see where the leak is coming from. Not sure which pipe this is but it is close to the water pump.

Looks like a T- connector connecting this hose to another hose is cracked and is the source of the leak. The pressure drops from 19PSI to 18PSI in about 5 minutes or so with the dripping.

I have attached 4 images: one from an angle from the passenger side, two from the hose that has the dripping and one that is a good picture of the full crack (red arrow).


- Cracked T-connector


- Drip from the crack


- Drip from the bottom of the hose (looks like no cracks here, just flow of coolant)


- Location of the hose from the passenger's side for context


I understand that replacing this whole hose and hose connector is needed, which will involve a full coolant flush/bleed too.

What is the interim solution ? Can I JBWeld something here ? I have a PCA meet next Saturday and would like to go for it.

Can anyone guess why the crack happened ? is it normal wear and tear or did the previous mechanic use a bad connector or something ?

Thank you in advance for advice.





Best
VK.