Coolant on the garage floor.

[bgigjoerice]

1994 V6 Camry: I'm trying to find the source of the coolant on my garage floor. The overflow tank is low, the engine level is full to the filler cap, there's no sign of an engine leak yet there's an overflow tank's worth on the floor after the cars been standing for a couple of days. I've been all over the water pump side of the engine and radiator with a flashlight and inspection mirror and can't see anything obvious. Any ideas much appreciated.

[ASG14]

Ok, so is it on the engine, the radiator, or both?

If on the radiator, you likely need to replace the radiator or hose.

If it's on the engine, thats a whole noth issue.

[new echo owner]

What is the location of the coolant relative the car?

N.E.O.

[bgigjoerice]

Originally Posted by new echo owner

What is the location of the coolant relative the car?

N.E.O.

It seems to be coming from the water pump side of the engine based on the majority of the mess on the floor and a few drips on the chassis in the general area of the crankshaft pulley. That said, with the engine running I can't see anything dripping down from the engine in that area.

[ASG14]

When did you last change the water pump?

[Knailgun]

I think water pump, there is no frost plug near the pump if I remember right....


FYI...did you check the lower hose?

[new echo owner]

Originally Posted by bgigjoerice

It seems to be coming from the water pump side of the engine based on the majority of the mess on the floor and a few drips on the chassis in the general area of the crankshaft pulley. That said, with the engine running I can't see anything dripping down from the engine in that area.

Are you familiar with where the weep hole is on the water pump? Have you done a pressure test on the cooling system?

N.E.O.

[bgigjoerice]

Originally Posted by new echo owner

Are you familiar with where the weep hole is on the water pump? Have you done a pressure test on the cooling system?

N.E.O.

1. The radiator hoses all look OK with no signs of external leakage.

2. I am aware there is a water pump bearing weep hole, but I've yet to actually find a way to see it. I have no equipment for a pressure test of the cooling system, and with this just another failure point in a long list, I'm thinking that its time to say enough and not expose myself to the costs at a garage on a 15 year old car.

3. I was hoping there was a weak link hose/fitting or some other comparatively cheap fix that somebody had come across. If it is a water pump, and with over 50,000 miles on the timing belt, plus all the idlers and the other junk you have to take off to access the thing, it doesn't seem cost effective to try and repair it.

4. The water pump has never been changed; timing belt at 61,000 miles has 105K now

[new echo owner]

I meant are you familiar with the location of the weep hole. It is right behind the alternator, if you use a small mirror and a flash light right below the alternator belt, you maybe able to see it.

I can understand where you are coming from, a water pump replacement on one of those is not cheap. However, the amount of coolant that you are loosing is alot, so it is better to at least find out where it is coming from. One other posibility is the cooling system is boiling over after the engine is off, and it is actually coming out from the overflow jar.

N.E.O.

[bgigjoerice]

Originally Posted by new echo owner

I meant are you familiar with the location of the weep hole. It is right behind the alternator, if you use a small mirror and a flash light right below the alternator belt, you maybe able to see it.

I can understand where you are coming from, a water pump replacement on one of those is not cheap. However, the amount of coolant that you are loosing is a lot, so it is better to at least find out where it is coming from. One other possibility is the cooling system is boiling over after the engine is off, and it is actually coming out from the overflow jar.

N.E.O.

I looked around that general area but couldn't get an angle where I could see anything associated with the water pump. Even with the coolant levels fluctuating, the temps are right where they always were, and the heater works great. I do get the sweet smell of coolant in the cabin when the engine starts, but the carpets are dry so its not the heater - I hope.

Thanks for the help I do appreciate it.

[DFBonnett]

OP,
As NEO noted in his first post, you have to get a pressure tester on the system to really check it out.

[bgigjoerice]

Originally Posted by DFBonnett

OP,
As NEO noted in his first post, you have to get a pressure tester on the system to really check it out.

Thanks for the feedback. The knocks keep piling up; while checking for coolant leaks, I noted that the CV boots on both sides are torn open, and I broke the drivers side door handle this afternoon, so this one's looking like its on its way to the knackers yard.

[new echo owner]

Sorry to hear that, but sometimes that is how it goes.

N.E.O.