Coolant leak?

DANKYBATS

MEMBER
2014 DODGE CHARGER
2WD
AUTOMATIC
130,000 MILES

So, we were on our way back to Washington State from California, I was driving just past the California border into Oregon. It was a big hill. My car started struggling as it was weighed down, and then it was like the radiator blew out or a radiator hose. It got really hot really fast. It seemed to have no power or very little power. When I pour water in, and a few seconds later it starts coming out somewhere near the dash/back upper engine, but not in a place I can reach. Any advice on what the problem could be, I poured a whole gallon of water in and just as fast, it all came dripping out, looks like it is coming from (looking from the front end) the upper back of the engine. About 8-12 inches down and about 8-12 inches from the dash.

5 Replies

DANKYBATS

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Note: It just had about $10,000.00 worth of work done, (less than 4 months ago, I got to drive it for less than a week, including a drive from western WA. To South CA.- And back. The radiator was replaced, as well as some other things. It did collide head on with a deer - Before the repair. And the company I used for the repair ripped me off, Price gouged me and lied about parts being stolen. Like my driver's side door. Yes, the entire door was stolen off of it.

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Monday, May 15th, 2023 AT 2:45 PM

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
42,959 POSTS

I'm sorry to hear about the issues you're experiencing with your car. Based on the information you provided, it seems there may be a significant coolant leak in your vehicle, causing it to overheat rapidly. It's crucial to address this issue promptly to prevent further damage to the engine.

Here are a few possibilities to consider:

Coolant hose or connection leak: A coolant hose or connection near the upper back of the engine may have developed a leak, causing the coolant to escape rapidly. It's possible that a hose clamp may have come loose, or a connection was not properly tightened during the previous repairs.

Radiator or cooling system issue: Since you mentioned that the radiator was recently replaced, there may be a problem with the radiator itself, such as a defective part or a loose connection. It's also worth checking for any signs of coolant leakage around the radiator or its hoses.

Internal engine issue: In some cases, an internal engine problem, such as a blown head gasket or a cracked engine block, can cause coolant to leak into the combustion chamber, resulting in rapid overheating and coolant loss. However, it's difficult to determine this without a thorough inspection by a professional mechanic.

Given the recent repair work and the severity of the issue, it's highly recommended to have the vehicle towed to a reputable mechanic or dealership as soon as possible. They will be able to diagnose the specific cause of the coolant leak and provide you with an accurate assessment of the repairs needed.

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Monday, May 15th, 2023 AT 3:08 PM

DANKYBATS

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Here is a video of the leak.

Video (Click to make bigger)

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Monday, May 15th, 2023 AT 3:12 PM

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
42,959 POSTS

Thanks for the video. Please don't drive the car anymore or you could hurt the engine. I would like to see if you can remove parts to get a better look or use a mirror on a stick to get a better look. Check the images below so you can see what I am talking about.

https://amzn.to/433pn7Q

Let me know what you find.

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Tuesday, May 16th, 2023 AT 12:22 PM

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
42,959 POSTS

Okay, I did some research, and it seems these engines have an oil cooler under the intake manifold. I would remove the intake to replace the cooler, or the coolant hoses you should be able to see which one is leaking once the intake is removed. Thanks for the video.

Images (Click to make bigger)