Coolant leak?

Tiny
CARSTUPID101
  • MEMBER
  • 1994 FORD TAURUS
I have a puddle accumulating on the front passenger side of my car. it is leaking coolant. my car has been idle for 4 months. during the winter i did not use it at all. then this past month started it up. it ran fine. then when i shut it off coolant started coming out rapidly. it's been two weeks since i started it and now every morning there is a FRESH puddle in the same spot. i put in a picture below


http://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/349189_LEAKAGE_1.jpg

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Monday, April 27th, 2009 AT 10:14 AM

26 Replies

Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,542 POSTS
You will need to visually inspect the components under the hood. Inspect the coolant reservoir tank, radiator, radiator hoses, thermostat and waterpump. These are the most common components to fail and cause coolant leakage. Let me know how the visual inspections come up and I will follow up after looking at this guide

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-is-leaking-coolant

Please run down this guide and report back.
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Monday, April 27th, 2009 AT 11:36 AM
Tiny
DECADDY313
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1993 FORD TAURUS
1993 Ford Taurus

i have a 93 taurus and its leaking from the other end of the hose that runs to the bottom of the radiator what is it running into and how do I fix. Its leaking at the other end not at the radiator end thank everyone!
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Friday, August 21st, 2020 AT 1:44 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SERVICE WRITER
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,123 POSTS
What makes it tough is, without seeing the leak source, it is hard to know. It may be a simple as a clamp loose. You need to use mirrors and good lighting to try to get to the source while the system is under pressure. Sometimes you need to start pulling of things to make the area accesible.
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Friday, August 21st, 2020 AT 1:44 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
Lower radiator hose
its goes to the water pump
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Friday, August 21st, 2020 AT 1:44 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LONEWOLFRICHARD
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • FORD TAURUS
I have a ford taurus 1993 station wagon with a 3.8 l engine that recently started losing coolant but I am having a hard time finding the leak it isn't blowing white smoke I have only had the car for about 5 months so don't know much of it's background it has approx 130,000 miles on it how do I check the water pump for leakage and what else should I be looking for
sorry guys I travel about 100 miles aday to work I have never smelled any leakage and have been adding about a half a gallon per day BUT yeasterday the water pump started leaking real bad so I think that was the problem all along I just let it run in the yard for a long time and was able to see a massive leak. Thank you for your help one more question what internal leak would be possible and how would I find it
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Friday, August 21st, 2020 AT 1:44 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SERVICE WRITER
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,123 POSTS
The leak may be internal or external.

Are you seeing it on the ground or smelling coolant at all?

How fast are you losing it and having to add more in terms of mileage traveled?
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Friday, August 21st, 2020 AT 1:44 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TAURUSSHO93
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1993 FORD TAURUS
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 124,000 MILES
Ok to start I put coolant in my car. And the next day I came out to check it and it was all gone. Completely dry. There was coolant on the ground. And my coolant light keeps coming on
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Friday, August 21st, 2020 AT 1:44 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,542 POSTS
Must be a large leak somewhere. Will need to inspect all coolant components, especially near where the coolant was found. Check radiator hoses, radiator, thermostat housing etc.
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Friday, August 21st, 2020 AT 1:44 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MTCAIME
  • MEMBER
  • 13 POSTS
IF NO COOLANT WAS FOUND ON THE FLOOR THEN IT MUST BE GOING IN TO THE ENGINE. CHECK THE ENGINE OIL AND SEE IF WATER IS MIXING WITH THE OIL IF SO HEAD GASKETS ARE NEEDED.
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Friday, August 21st, 2020 AT 1:44 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CAPTNHELLION
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1993 FORD TAURUS
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 157,000 MILES
The car started leaking coolent and it looks like its comming from between the engine and the tranny. Is that possable? If so why and how do I fix it? If not. Where might it be comming from? I've checked all over and can't seem to find a leak anywhere else.

Thanks,
Ron
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Friday, August 21st, 2020 AT 1:44 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,938 POSTS
Hi there,

Although I can't find any pics to back up my diagnosis, if there is coolant leaking from the bell housing and you can't see and leaks, I feel that there must be a core plug behind the drive plate, most cars have then there, may be a call to the dealer will confirm this for you.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Friday, August 21st, 2020 AT 1:44 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DECADDY313
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1993 FORD TAURUS
1993 Ford Taurus

i was driving my taurus and seen smoke coming from engine. I pulled over and seen I am leaking coolant from the bottom hose of the radiator that leads to something to the block what can I do
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Friday, August 21st, 2020 AT 1:45 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DAVE H
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,383 POSTS
Replace the hose. Refill coolant. Check for leaks. Hoses get worn over time. Hopefully this hasn't done any lasting damage as long as you stopped straight away. Once you have repaired vehicle. Have the coolant sytem pressure tested to be sure?
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Friday, August 21st, 2020 AT 1:45 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,938 POSTS
Hi there e you will have to replace that faulty hose, this is not hard, when replaced re fill coolant and bleed system of air, make sure that you have the heater on, it may be a good idea to replace the top hose as well while you are doing this job.

Mark(mhpautos)
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Friday, August 21st, 2020 AT 1:45 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
Do not let it over heat have it towed
let it cool and check where is the leak from
possible water pump

WARNING: NEVER REMOVE THE PRESSURE RELIEF CAP UNDER ANY CONDITIONS WHILE THE ENGINE IS OPERATING. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS COULD RESULT IN DAMAGE TO THE COOLING SYSTEM OR ENGINE AND/OR PERSONAL INJURY. TO AVOID HAVING SCALDING HOT COOLANT OR STEAM BLOW OUT OF THE COOLING SYSTEM OR DEGAS BOTTLE, USE EXTREME CARE WHEN REMOVING THE PRESSURE RELIEF CAP FROM A HOT COOLING SYSTEM OR DEGAS BOTTLE. WAIT UNTIL THE ENGINE HAS COOLED, THEN WRAP A THICK CLOTH AROUND THE PRESSURE RELIEF CAP AND TURN IT SLOWLY UNTIL PRESSURE BEGINS TO RELEASE. STEP BACK WHILE THE PRESSURE IS RELEASED FROM THE COOLING SYSTEM. WHEN CERTAIN ALL PRESSURE HAS BEEN RELEASED, PRESS DOWN ON THE PRESSURE CAP (STILL WITH A CLOTH), TURN AND REMOVE PRESSURE RELIEF CAP.
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Friday, August 21st, 2020 AT 1:45 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RH309WV
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
  • 1991 FORD TAURUS
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 130,000 MILES
I see a small coolant leak after the car cools down in my garage. I do not see any leaking while driving and it is not over heating. Looked under the hood and can see some coolant on the frame under the water pump.
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Friday, August 21st, 2020 AT 1:45 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HARRY P
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,293 POSTS
If it is under the water pump, then it is likely that the water pump is leaking itself. When the car is running, there is a little less pressure being exerted on the any one spot in the cooling system than there is when you turn it off after it's warmed up. It is a basic rule of physics and fluid dynamics. So it leaks more while sitting and not running. Also, while you are driving, wind/air is being blown at it and dispersing any fluid that does come out, so it does not appear to leak. It probably is leaking while running though.

Option A: My suggestion to you is to borrow a pressure tester for the cooling system from the local car parts store (AutoZone, Advance Auto, Oreillys, etc.). With the vehicle off and cold, take the radiator cap off, hook up the pressure tester, and pump it up to 16 PSI. Do not put more than 16 PSI on it, as that could damage things. Then follow the hissing sound to your leak.

Option B: is to fill the cooling system as much as possible. With the cap still off of it, start it with the heat on full blast and let it idle a few minutes while you keep pouring water in it. When it appears to not be taking any more water, turn the engine off, put the radiator cap back on, and then start it again. Watch closely for the leak. Follow it with a flashlight if possible. But be careful because the electric cooling fan can and will come on without warning.

Option A, is the more professional way to do it. Option B, is the more backyard way. Go with Option A if at all possible.

Here is a more in-depth guide: https://www.2carpros.com/articles/radiator-pressure-test

Let us know and we'll go from there.
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+1
Friday, August 21st, 2020 AT 1:45 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LYDYNRED
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1992 FORD TAURUS
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 91,562 MILES
While picking up my daughter from an afternoon program, This program is not far from my house, but I drive to work which is about 30 min. Away from my house. While on the way to pick my daughter up my car started making strange noises, which has never happend before. On the way back my car started having smoke coming from under the hood and when I got to the house, there was a poping noise and coolant started spilling from under the engine.

I checked all of my fluid and topped them off on Monday so I know that my coolant level was okay. I'm at a lose, becasue this happened so suddenly, any assistance you can give would be greatly appreciated.
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Friday, August 21st, 2020 AT 1:45 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
You need to recheck the coolant level for it to over heat like this you must of lost your coolant
I would check for leaking hose the heater hoses rust and leak all the time also check bypass hose
check water pump and radiator
if no leaks
check and or replace thermostat

good luck
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Friday, August 21st, 2020 AT 1:45 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LYDYNRED
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
When I got up this morning I started my car and it was still making that noise, so I thought that maybe it just needed more coolant. But as I was filling the radiator all of the coolant was leaking from under the car as soon as I was filling it up.

I will go have someone look for the things that you mentioned, but could this be a serious problem. I did not drive to work today becasue I was afraid for blowing my engine (I live in VA and its hot here) and did not want to be stranded on the highway.
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Friday, August 21st, 2020 AT 1:45 PM (Merged)

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