Hello i am new to this forum but i have been reading it for awhile and finally decided to make an account..... because i could use help from some of the expertises. Anyway i have a 1997 2.8l 12v. My coolant just started leaking bad at random a couple days ago. i am currently filling 3/4 of the reservior every day. So i took some engine panels off. and ran it to try and diagnose the leak. It does not leak while sitting only for a little bit after shut off. And it only leaks once the engine is warmed up. So im assuming because of the pressure it finally starts to squeeze through. i am finding it leaking right down the center of the oil pan in the front. It does not seem to be coming from the reservior. Nor the top or bottom hose of the radiator. and the water pump seems to appear dry and too far right from the leak. i have no clue where it is coming from and hard to tell because of how cramped the engine compartment is. I cannot see anything from up top. But again just a steady stream coming down the front of the oil pan. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

when was your water pump last replaced?

 

The hard hose connections have O-rings that can go bad. Also, the "coolant flange" often goes bad. Or you might have a bad hose itself. It can also leak out of a busted head gasket, or perhaps the water pump gasket or thermostat gasket have failed.

 

Thermostat?

Its just to the left of the water pump (looking down from the front of the car). Since the thermostat only opens when the coolant is warm, that might explain your symptoms.

 

The thermostat sounds like it could possibly be it. But would it be the component itself? or could it just be the gasket? And i have no clue when the water pump was replaced. And what hard hose connectors? Coming from the radiator or somewhere else?

 

The vale on the bottom of my expansion tank is where I was seeing coolant leak out of. I removed the tank to see if the leak was due to a crack but I think the valve was stuck part way open. My friend who knows a lot more about cars told me that could be why I had coolant leaking. I have been watching the coolant level for a few weeks and have not seen it drop sense. Have you checked the bottom of the tank to see if you have leaks there?

 

yes its not leaking from the reservoir. That was the first thing i checked. It has to be something down in the front. It is dry underneath the reservoir as far as i can see