Coolant Leak - Need 2nd Opinions

[Spannerhead]

Originally Posted by Smallblock454

What is that? Looks like something has worked itself into the plastic.

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No idea. Maybe some gunk accumulated on the inside of the tank in the crack seam? It's the original tank AFAIK, ~67K miles on the car.

[theWalkinator]

I just replaced water pump and thermostat, while doing coolant flushing, I over filled distilled water and water dripped down in front of rear passenger side like you said, and water find a pathway somewhere.

There are 4 hoses going to expansion tank through a bulkhead and hoses are clamped to the bulkhead on both side, so that might be another source of leaks. If you have a coolant system pressure tester kit you can test pressure and see where the leaks is, you can rent one from you local auto part stores.

[Spannerhead]

Originally Posted by theWalkinator

I just replaced water pump and thermostat, while doing coolant flushing, I over filled distilled water and water dripped down in front of rear passenger side like you said, and water find a pathway somewhere.

The drain hose for the tank top area is the bottom of the 4 hoses that go through the bulkhead (the one without a hose clamp), and it drains into the wheel well area, but the outlet is more or less in line with the axle (if you remove the wheel, you can see it). Somewhat further back from where "my" car was dripping, but I suppose maybe it could have followed the chassis brace forward... I dunno. I'm not too concerned anymore since the issue seems to have been fixed.

[Rob175]

Just a suggestion......before you put everything back into the trunk I put paper towels down and drove the car up to temperature.......afterward I checked for leaks......once I verified all was dry I put everything back in and consider the problem solved.

[Spannerhead]

Originally Posted by Rob175

Just a suggestion......before you put everything back into the trunk I put paper towels down and drove the car up to temperature.......afterward I checked for leaks......once I verified all was dry I put everything back in and consider the problem solved.

Good suggestion! That's exactly what I did before I reinstalled the trunk liner. Took it through 2 complete warmup cycles; no leaks.

[Rob175]

My issue, before it was replaced, was my tank had hidden spider cracks in the back and bottom of the plastic (original 98").

As the cooling system got hot and pressure built up in the system those spider cracks would slightly expand and leak. The leaks were never extreme but slowly, over a few drives the amount of coolant would accumulate enough liquid in my rear trunk (under the removable composite raised floor), that it would eventually find an opening or seam to drip onto the garage floor.

Best advice is to to keep checking just to make sure it's really not leaking anymore.

Good luck!

[Gilles]

Originally Posted by Spannerhead

It's the original tank AFAIK, ~67K miles on the car.

Yes, but, how old is the car..? Plastic gets brittle with age, and also with UV exposure..

[Starter986]

Originally Posted by Gilles

Yes, but, how old is the car..? Plastic gets brittle with age, and also with UV exposure..

Not to hijack the thread... quick in and out here...

Believe it or not... I haven't driven the 91 in your direction coming up on two years this January. Still sitting on my small carport shelf, constantly to remind me, are the two pucks we left attached to the car when we (you?) replaced my transmission mounts.

I have not used them. At all. I tell myself, "They're not yours. Do not put any wear marks on them".

If you want to PM me your address (I lost it), I'll make some time to mail them to you.

Hope all is well over in your neck of the woods. Chat soon.

[Spannerhead]

Originally Posted by Rob175

Just a suggestion......before you put everything back into the trunk I put paper towels down and drove the car up to temperature.......afterward I checked for leaks......once I verified all was dry I put everything back in and consider the problem solved.

Yep; that's exactly what I did. Went through two complete heat cycles; no leaks. I considered it fixed.

Originally Posted by Gilles

Yes, but, how old is the car..? Plastic gets brittle with age, and also with UV exposure..

It's a 2002.