Alright here'* the deal, I'm losing coolant somewhere. I noticed about six months ago that I was slowly losing coolant and that after the car was shut off a small puddle of coolant would accumulate on the ground in the general area of the water pump. But recently the coolant seems to be leaking faster and my car is running slightly hotter. But I don't see any leaks while the car is running, so my question is has anybody had the same problem?


98 SLE

Check your coolant elbow on the right side of the engine. It comes off the lower intake manifold and goes to the alternator bracket. These crack and leak. Also, remove the throttle body and check where the EGR stove pipe comes up. This area cracks and leaks coolant in to the engine and can cause a hydrolock.

If your headgasket went, your oil would look like a chocolate milkshake.

I'm with Dan. Check that coolant elbow.

Mine did that several years ago. Except it was the opposite. When the engine was warm, it didn't leak, only leaked when it cooled off.

I changed my oil 2 weeks ago and the oil looked normal. The elbow near the alternator sounds like it might be the culprit, does anybody know if the elbow connects to the hoses that supply the heater core?

No, it'* a connection between the LIM and alt bracket. they cost less then $5 at autozone.

If I was at home I could dig a picture up of my elbow...

Tonight I looked for the elbow in question and I think it is right above the water pump and it looks like it runs behind the base of the tensioner arm. But I didn't see a leak with the engine on or off but I checked the hose that runs from the reservoir tank to the radiator. And I noticed that the hose clamp was loose and the hose was barely on the nipple attached to the radiator, so I'm thinking that I was losing coolant from the radiator through that leak. I just finished putting about a gallon and a half of coolant in the radiator and my temp gauge is back where it should be. I think I found my major leak but it doesn't explain the coolant leak under the water pump. I'll keep an eye on that elbow and my coolant level and keep you guys posted thanks for the help!

Keep a eye on things and see if you loose more coolant.

UPDATE: I finally found the damn leak! Yesterday I filled my radiator to see if maybe the radiator was leaking and as I'm filling it the coolant is leaking out in a steady stream from the area around the water pump. But I can't see where and I can't feel where with my hand. It doesn't leak at all when the car is running or when the car is warm. I don't think it'* the water pump but I could be wrong,the plastic elbow in question I believe is above the water pump and I don't see any coolant in that area. Please help!!!!!