So here'* the background info: My radiator had a leak, so I replaced it a couple weeks ago. It was aftermarket, so the fittings I had leaked a little until I tightened them properly, and now it'* perfect. I posted not too long after the replacement that my car was still leaking coolant out from right in front of the oil pan. Well it'* been very ( maybe a few drops a day) minor until NOW.

Everytime I start my car up, it leaks like an old faucet. It won't leak until it hits 200 degrees, and then BOOM it starts dripping. Like I said it'* dripping down from the front passenger side by the oil pan, right under the crankcase pulley from what I can tell.

This pic was with my last post, and shows a tiny bit of coolant on the top edge of the water pump...


Actually the leak is above and behind that. Imagine looking at the small coolant hose that connects right behind the alternator. Then look past to where the intake manifold meets the block, and you can see coolant collecting there on a ridge. Somehow it'* weeping its way all the way down the block and dripping to the floor.

Would this be the cause of a bad manifold gasket? I thought the Series I motors didn't have any intake issues... What else could be causing this?

I can get a closer picture if anyone needs it.

Check a possible T-stat housing and maybe check out your water pumps gaskets and condiotion of the pump itself.

The water pump has ~10K miles on it - it was replaced last summer. The gasket still looks fresh, and blue form-a-gasket was used as you can see in the picture.

Where is the t-stat housing?

Drivers side front corner of the the engine. Follow the upper radiator hose right too it. Has a lil bleeder screw right in the top.

no sorry that'* not it. the leak is on the passenger side of the engine. I'm going to try to get a picture of it and post it here. I don't know how to put the location into words better than I did up above.

Does this car have that lil plastic elbow that tends to crack or break?

Sure looks like a leaking water pump. Can you put a mirror behind the water pump pulley and look at the weep hole? I think it is at about 2 O'Clock if I am remembering correctly.

Maybe the coolant bypass fitting into the lower intake manifold. Follow the small hose from the top of the water pump to the lower intake. Check that fitting out.

I would bet money its the weep hole on the pump. However I did have that elbow go on my car too...but it lost all its coolant within a few minutes.

You said you used blue form a gasket? Is that instead of the proper gasket? Because if that is the case, there is your problem. You need to have the correct gasket WITH some silicone. I recommend something on hardening.. like the blue or red ones.


-justin