coolant leak, oil pan smeared in sludge

[Mistaspakles]

Just recently I noticed that I'm losing coolant, and pretty consistently. The floor on my garage show very little from the leak, but I just put in quite a bit of antifreeze/water. In looking from underneath the car, the oil pan is smeared in gunk (i'm thinking it's the coolant). It's pretty dirty around that general area too (oil filter housing, coolant line, etc). Any guess as to where this leak is coming from?

Thanks,

 

[architechnik]

I suggest checking the oil cooler line that goes to the puck near the oil filter. There is a send and return line that are hard-run to just before the cooler and then switches to rubber hose for about four to six inches. That's the external section closest to the oil pan.

Those rubber lines can rot, get knocked loose, lose their clamps, etc. Was your oil changed recently?

 

[Mistaspakles]

The last time I changed my oil was about 3 months ago (3000 miles), and the oil pan was clean. A few days ago I noticed my coolant temp rising at a complete stop. Checked the resevoir and it was dry. Had to fill up the radiator too. A few days later, same problem, and needed more coolant/water.

 

[architechnik]

Have you noticed any discoloration in the oil? With it leaking that quickly it might be that your headgasket is blown.

Check all your hoses to make sure that there isn't any coolant spraying out once the vehicle reaches operating temperature. Fill the coolant and start the vehicle until it is completely warmed. Drive it around the block if it's cold outside and you really need to get it going. The point is that the fan should go on if it's idling and hot and the thermostat is working. Once the fan goes on for a moment, kill the engine and USE GLOVES to yank around on all your tubing. Don't forget to check the heater hoses that extend behind the engine just below the throttle body. This should reveal any hose leaks.

The other main possibility is that the seal or spring on the radiator cap is worn out. You could try replacing it and see if it holds the coolant better.

 

[knochgoon24]

The gunk isn't in the oil pan, it's on. Correct? Maybe you have slightly more than a slow trickly somewhere. The gunk probably holds enough coolant so that it doesn't drip before more dirt sticks or the coolant evaporates.

Also, the leak may only really leak while the system is under pressure. If he doesn't run his car very long in the garage, there wouldn't be much evidence on the floor.

 

[architechnik]

Also, the leak may only really leak while the system is under pressure. If he doesn't run his car very long in the garage, there wouldn't be much evidence on the floor.

You got it. That's why I suggested taking it around the block and making sure it enters into a complete heat cycle (fan kicks on). If the coolant level is full and it completely heats, then likely all the pressure necessary will have built inside the system. An easy check is that the upper hose feels like a water bed with a really fat lady on it.

 

[Mistaspakles]

I don't know if this has anything to do with it, but I recently had my ball joints replaced. Would that have had to remove anything (and not put back properly) that could have caused a leak?

 

[architechnik]

The ball joints are pretty much behind and below the engine, while the majority of coolant lines are at the front and top. I cannot imagine they intentionally removed anything pertaining to the cooling system. It is possible that they knocked something loose, but again they are not really anywhere near each other.