External Coolant Leak

[hufhouse]

Coolant leak on the passenger side. Leaking enough to leave a puddle on the floor. This is a 2000.

The water pump is good. Weep hole is dry.

All of the radiator hoses look good.

The traditional intake manifold gasket looks fine, even though that isn't really a suspect here.

Looking up from the bottom, coolant is dripping from what appears to be a lower motor mount right next to the oil pan. Also, the area around the crankshaft pulley looks wet.

What should I look for? Could it be a leak from the engine oil cooler?

Are there hoses on the back side of the engine?

It doesn't look like it's anything simple.

I appreciate your help.

[DeltaP]

You need to pressure test the cooling system. These are really famous for intake manifold leaks.

[hufhouse]

Well, DeltaP, you were half-right! Thanks for your help!

Like I said, the intake manifold looked fine. Actually, the engine was replaced about 70,000 miles ago, and the remanufactured engine had the new gasket and was tightened to the correct specs. There was no sign of leaks around the intake manifold gasket.

But, I did go to AutoZone and "borrow" the pressure tester. This was after looking at everything on the passenger side where the puddle was on the ground. I could not find ANYTHING, other than possibly the oil cooler, that could be leaking on that side. The water pump was good as well as the radiator hose on that side.

After pumping up the pressure, coolant began leaking under the van near the center and on the passenger side. Laying under the van being showered by coolant, I still couldn't see what was leaking.

In a last ditch effort, I got up and looked at the top of the engine. I started on the passenger side where the leak appeared on the ground. As I worked my way across, I found the TOP RADIATOR HOSE had a STREAM of coolant pouring out, dropping down into the bowels of the engine on top of the transaxle.

Evidently, the coolant would then run across the top of the transaxle and drip down all over the transaxle mount that sits right next to the oil pan. The transaxle mount, oil pan and part of the transmission pan were dripping with coolant.

So, I'm pretty excited to have been able to figure this out AND to fix it for $0. Since the pin hole was so close to the engine, I was able to cut about 1/2" of the hose off, put it back on and clamp it and it no longer leaks. The system held decent pressure.

I just wanted to put the resolution out here in case anybody stumbles across it doing a search someday.

Thanks again for your help.

[DeltaP]

At my age I've also been known to be half-fast but not half assed. Engine leaks can very well be compared to house roof leaks. Anyway glad you got it done and posting back with the result. These days you can put alot into helping some people only to never hear from them again.

[leehyunggyun]

I think my van also had this puddle on the passenger side.

Was it a big leak where it starts to drip with mild pressure in the cooling system?

If not, why did the cooling line have so much pressure to leak out coolant in the first place? head gasket issue?

[hufhouse]

Originally Posted by leehyunggyun

I think my van also had this puddle on the passenger side.

Was it a big leak where it starts to drip with mild pressure in the cooling system?

If not, why did the cooling line have so much pressure to leak out coolant in the first place? head gasket issue?

Yes, it was a big leak that left a pretty good sized puddle. As far as the top radiator hose leaking, I think it was just a pinhole.

Please note my UPDATE that I'm going to post next. :-)

[hufhouse]

UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE

After parking the van outside for a day or two, the puddle returned. Aaaaargh!!!

So, I took the van to a local mechanic.

The mechanic found that the timing chain cover was loose, causing coolant to drip down the passenger side of the engine.

Evidently, the hole in the radiator hose was just a coincidence. When I pressurized the system, it must have been enough to pop open a weak spot in the hose.

The mechanic tightened almost all of the bolts on the timing chain cover, and he said that stopped the drip. He told me if it comes back, we'll probably have to replace the gasket on the cover.

Again, I just wanted to make sure and come back here to post my finding in case someone else ever has the problem in the future.