Huge Coolant Leakage

[mccurdy]

Hey guys.

I recently got back from a 1 week vacation and i decided to start my car to move it onto the street from my driveway. i turned it on and backed out and put it on the street, and as i got out, i noticed there was water and coolant all over the ground from the driveway to the street.

The car had been sitting for a week unused, and there was TONS of coolant all over the place. When it dried, it had a white chalky residue on the ground as well. Is this common? I didnt see any oil anywhere but i couldnt be certain.

Anyway, what should i do now? I jacked the car up and filled the radiator hose cap full of H20 and tried starting it for about 3 minutes but i didnt see any leaks anywhere. Why did it leak?

Plus my overflow tank, which was about half full, or to the full line mark, was now completely empty. The leak appeared to come from the drivers side of the engine bay as well, leaking down off of the plastic sleeve under the drivers side. (the plastic boot sleeve thats under the belts and stuff)

anyway, if someone has an idea whats going on please POST. Thanks!

car is a 97 gst eclipse with 55k origional miles on it. almost full stage 2 mods completed.

 

[BoostedTalonTS]

If you are leaking coolant from the timing belt side of the engine, that could only mean one thing: Water pump (or it's hard line O-ring).

With 55k, it sounds like you should be getting ready for a timing belt job anyways... If it is the water pump, do yourself a favor and do it all at the same time.

 

[DROOPY209]

with the mileage on the car, I would recommend that you do a timing belt change, water pump change, and if you can..........eliminate the balance shafts.

do it all at once..........

after this, you'll be able to sleep good at night

 

[mccurdy]

how much are water pumps and timing belts, as im gonna have the dealership do it but i would like to provide the parts at least cause i know theres are outrageous.

it appears to be leaking from just underneath the timing belt along that big metal piping that runs along the coolant line. its literally just above the alternator snug up against the block directly beneath the timing belt. what could that be???

thanks guys

 

[91dsmtalon]

Sounds like water pump

 

[turbo90gsx]

Water pump.

 

[SethA]

how much are water pumps and timing belts, as im gonna have the dealership do it but i would like to provide the parts at least cause i know theres are outrageous.

it appears to be leaking from just underneath the timing belt along that big metal piping that runs along the coolant line. its literally just above the alternator snug up against the block directly beneath the timing belt. what could that be???

thanks guys

The dealer did my first timing belt/water pump. If I remember right it was around $1000 for parts and labor. I was pretty miffed. You are better off doing your own if you have the space / time / tools / ability. Read the VFAQs if you do tackle it.

Seth

 

[Agent11br]

Whoever you have to do it, I would still use OEM parts, especially the belt/water pump, but maybe thats just me

If you know someone that has done it, try and get them to help out. Thats what I did with mine. If you have no clue what you are doing this is a pretty important thing to NOT mess up and may be worth having someone professionally do it. That and I know my dealership gives warranties with their work...

 

[halligoo]

There is an O-ring on the water pump inlet pipe that could cause your problem. If that is the problem and you fix it, it will only delay the big issue. You do need to have your timing belt changed and anyone would advise that there is quite a bit of routine work that should be accomplished at the time of the belt change. Definately the water pump and all belts. It's a good time to check all pulleys and tensioners. The FAQ covers this subject quite well.