Update: Coolant Leak, still need your input

[rice]

allright guys, the car is 1994 corolla 7afe, the leak is a slowly drip, and it lessens when the car is fully warm and operated. I went under the car today and it is leaking from the location above the oil pan (where the oil drain plug is when changing your oil), that whole oil pan and its leaking from above it, my question is, what is this area called and how can i stop this leak? it's been leaking for some time now but somehow it didn't affect the car's performance, no white smoke from tailpipe or anything, checked the oil and it still looked honey clear

I looked at the waterpump and it is fine, no leaks from it, just making sure, the waterpump is right under the alternator, correct? thank you for any imput, wish me luck

[REN69]

pics dude.. take pics, it could be anything.

[94_Rolla_Guy]

could be the block drain its down behind the alternator, or possibly the o-ring between the inner half of the water pump and the block. Thats behind the middle timming cover and a SOB to fix

[rice]

Allright guys, paid $40 for the shop to take a look and they said it was the Water Pump Gasket, its a slow leak, and quoted me around $500 to replace the whole waterpump including labor, money is always limited as im trying to save up, can i fix this myself?? any DIY guide?? any seal-type glue i can just put on the gasket??

what do you guys think?

Will I be fine driving like this for a couple more months? or should I focus on fixing it right away? thanks

[Froggmann]

Haynes manual some basic tools and a little time should get it done. While the cooling system is drained it would be a good time to check your hoses and replace the thermostat.

[94_Rolla_Guy]

if its the water pump to the block gasket its acctually a little O-ring that goes there it shouldn't be that bad to fix it would be about the same as changeing a timing belt.

If its the rubberized steel gasket that goes between the halves of the water pump is gone its about the same work.

Now whether you do this your self or not i would suggest that if your timing belt is anywhere near needing changed, change your timming belt along with the water pump, because its right there and it might add an extra $50-75 to the bill it will save you alot down the road

see what you can come up with for DIY on changing the timming belt as the proceedure will be identical up to the point of them telling you to remove the belt.

If you can't find anything i will try to post pictures of the factory service manuals pages for you, no promises because im busy with school

[rice]

will I be ok leaving the car like this for a couple more months? or should I change this right away? is it an emergency to get it fix? thanks

[darkus]

I tell you, for some reason toyota can make the best cars on the planet, but they cant figure out how to make a good gasket.. its like 99% of any problem a toyota has (which are rare)

[rice]

Originally Posted by darkus

I tell you, for some reason toyota can make the best cars on the planet, but they cant figure out how to make a good gasket.. its like 99% of any problem a toyota has (which are rare)

haha...yeah, true, I just got myself a Haynes Manual for the 93-2002 corolla, I read through the steps to replace the waterpump and it seems so simple!! Is it really this simple or is Haynes being lazing? Why would 2 shops quote me close to $500 for such a simple job? hmmmm......

anyways, I still need to know if I can leave my car running like this for a couple more months or should I replace it a.s.a.p, thanks guys...

[freakinbox]

it's their time they are paid by the hour so they are in no hurry, so then the shop will charge you for that extra time, toyota charges $130 an hour now!

[Froggmann]

It's not that the job is complicated it's that the job is time consuming and the parts can be expensive.

[rezzle]

Try a bottle of this ...

http://www.subaruparts.com/catalog/subaru/SOA635071.jpg

Available at your Subaru dealer.

( I'm serious, it works well for sealing small antifreeze leaks )

[Froggmann]

Originally Posted by rezzle

( I'm serious, it works well for sealing small antifreeze leaks )

And clogging your radiator, heater core, thermostat etc.

Only use that stuff if you are desprate, otherwise do the current job right the first time. Don't add more headaches to your place.

[rezzle]

Umm it doesn't block up anything. Subaru adds it to every one of thier cars from the factory and at every antifreeze change.


See note 12 at the bottom.