Leaking Coolant

[eMsta]

Hi all,

I have a major problem (i think) with the car. Since the last service (2 fridays ago), the car has been running fine. But then today when I was coming back from a very long drive (180klms), I noticed that the temp needle was going up and then down a bit. I thought this was just normal, so I didnt bother with anything. But then later tonite, after I came back from my bros house (about 5 mins away), the needle went right up.

My dad and I opened the hood, and there was a horrible smell. We knew that it was due to leaking coolant or lack of coolant. The water pump looks to be intact, but below the engine, there was a lot of liquid. That means the coolant is leaking froms somewhere there. We have checked the pipes as well, everything seems to be ok. I dont know where else to look.

Do you guys know what I can look out for as the main culprits for the leakage? We have filled up the coolant reservoir and the radiator, with a mix of coolant and water. But its still leaking. I am thinking of taking it to GTAutos for them to have a look at it, but I would appreciate any advise/pointers that you guys can give me.

Thanks in advance.

[Craved]

where is it leaking from though .. rear of the engine, front, side ???

[Craved]

coolant can come from

rear: turbo feed pipe that is behind the head, and is fed from the rear of the plenum. heater hoses

side: oil cooler, heater feed hoses, feed from thermo housing to the plenum. turbo water feed @ turbo

front: radiator hoses.

Edited July 18, 2006 by Craved

[eMsta]

where is it leaking from though .. rear of the engine, front, side ???

Its coming - from what i can see - the right side of the engine towards the middle of the engine

[Fry_33]

This could mean that your water pump needs replacing. Happened to my mates R33 and was told that there is a small hole that will leak water/coolant when your water pump has had it, nissan mae it this way as a warning sign. You can see it if you look hard from memory. He was also told that once it starts leaking it should be changed fairly soon as it won't last much longer.

If it is your water pump then arrange to get your timing belt changed at the same time if it's close to needing it.

Good luck with your vehicle man

[eMsta]

This could mean that your water pump needs replacing. Happened to my mates R33 and was told that there is a small hole that will leak water/coolant when your water pump has had it, nissan mae it this way as a warning sign. You can see it if you look hard from memory. He was also told that once it starts leaking it should be changed fairly soon as it won't last much longer.

If it is your water pump then arrange to get your timing belt changed at the same time if it's close to needing it.

Good luck with your vehicle man

Thanks for the info bud - but I changed the water pump 5 months ago (the timing belt and all were also changed). I do see something that looks like a crack, but hte pump is completely dry on the outside - nevertheless, I will get Wayne and Jarrod to have a look at it again.

[Craved]

passenger side in the middle ???

sounds like turbo's water feed bit fiddly to get to though

can be feed or return, banjo bolts at return at block, and the turbo for feed and return .. feed comes from a rubber hose from behind the head

[Darius]

First, if it is coming from the "middle" of your motor but cannot trace it back to a point source like a coolant hose, then it is likely your head gasket. Second, change your oil to make sure it does not look like chocolate milk. If it looks like chocolate milk, you have problems. It is either a cracked head or blown head gasket.

[eMsta]

Thanks for the heads up guys.

Craved: Its on the drivers side (towards the middle) - so im guessing its got nothing to do with the turbo.

Darius: i have checked the oil - it seems to be ok. I had the car serviced just 2 fridays ago by RE Customs.

i might check with them to see if they noticed anything abnormal about the car when they did the service.

[eMsta]

Update: Ok, we have found the culprit. Its one of the Cylinder wall plugs. Seems that the bastard has rusted, due to the improper coolant mix being used. Uh!!!!! Thank god its not a major problem like a blown gasket, but I believe that the repair work will take a long time!

[Craved]

damn welsh plugs

good to see you sorted it

[eMsta]

Yep - by monday she will be back to running like a beast

(and probably need a good clean too)

I emailed wayne in the morning - and he said that things like this happen if the car has not been looked after well. Eitherway, he is gonna help me change it so im wrapped!

[Craved]

lucky you cahnged the water pump previoulsy otherwise the same thing woulda happened to the fins on the inside of it.. rendering it useless.

are you getting them all replaced now? dont want it to rust through another one

[eMsta]

Well, I have to get him to check it on monday. I could only see one that was rusted beyond recognition. Hopefully get the whole thing replaced. The waterpump is fine from what i can see.

Just hope it doesnt take a long time, cos i cant live with out the car

[eMsta]

Just wondering, how long would it take to replace these welsh plugs? Do they have to extract the whole engine? I know the have to flush out the coolant before they do anything, but if they have to remove the whole engine - then im gonna be charged shit loads.

[eMsta]

just bumping my own old thread

Took it for a service today to RE Customs - got a call back from Ray, prognosis negative - yep damn welsh plugs are haunting my ass again!

Warranty wont take care of it. and it looks like im going to have to pay shit load to get that fixed....

damn damn welsh plugs