Hello all,
I have a coolant leak that started recently, within the past couple of weeks and I'm having trouble locating it.
The coolant is running down the front of my oil pan. As far as I can tell all the hoses are good. It drips regularly when parked level, but the leak seemed to stop when up on ramps, at least until there was pressure in the system. We noticed that the belt and pulleys were wet, so it's leaking onto the belt somewhere.

Any ideas?
Thanks

 

Would sure be nice to know which motor. But...if coolant is on the timing belt it's possible water pump on either motor, outside chance it's the stat housing on the 2.8. Don't mess with this. If the water pump fails, so does your t-belt.

 

Yeah, sorry. It's the 2.8, and that's what I was afraid of, the water pump or thermostat. I noticed last night it's taking forever to get up to heat, so prolly the stay then. I was hoping there was another variable that was more likely.
Well, sounds like I have a project... Thanks for your reply.

 

How many miles are on the current timing belt? The thermostat on the 2.8 is behind the timing belt. It can be done without removing the belt, but if you're anywhere near needing timing service, you might as well do it all.

 

I don't know. I bought is used a year and a half ago. I've been regularly inspecting the belt for signs of wear and it's still good as far as I can tell. But the car is approaching 180,000 so I was planning on doing the belt, stat, pump, tensioner and all the top end engine gaskets this summer anyways.
What sucks is, I was planning on driving it 400 miles or so next week, but I'm just gonna have to work out a rental. It'll save on my car anyways.
Thanks

 

You bought it used without knowing when the timing service had been done? Inspecting the belt does nothing as it is not component that causes failure typically. All it takes is for one of the idler pulleys or water pump to lock up and the belt will be tost in sort order. At 180k with no history and leaking coolant, I would stop driving it immediately and order all of the timing service parts. Just my $0.02.

 

Ditto.

 

Yup, bought it without knowing. And because I didn't know I paid $1000 under kbb for it. Considering I can do the labor and parts are under $300 I think I made a good decision.

 

My point was that if I bought it without knowing, I would have done it immediately.

 

A Blauparts kit with WP is about $320, also there is an Autohausaz one for around $240, but does not include coolant, seals, and so forth. No matter where you get the parts, rent or buy the cam and crank holding tools. Any method that skips using these is risky.