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I went out for a drive this morning with no problems. I parked the car at home, went to get a coffee and noticed liquid on the ground next to the rear passenger wheel. I felt and smelt the liquid, clear but somewhat oily. It seems to be coming from the rear driver's side, below the coolant tank (I know these are prone to failing). I opened the engine compartment but couldn't spot any obvious leaks from the tank (hard to are the portion closer to the front of the car). Could this be water shaken loose from some cavity as I was driving? We usually get quite a bit of condensation in the mornings. I attached a photo where you can tell where the drip is coming from. Thanks in advance.
Thank you for the advice. I have the new 04 cap. Other than the tank itself, could it also be from the overflow escape hose? I filled it up with a bit of distilled water when I replaced the cap a week ago or so.
Is the cap on TIGHT...read TIGHT? Any liquid beneath the cap on the tank neck? It can drain down around, I believe, #1 cylinder. Almost impossible to see a tank leak. Some have success using a mirror, but didn't work for me. Cracks seem to be always on the back side.
It was my first drive after installing the 04 cap. Cannot help but think that the added pressure caused by no leakage at the top may have caused the failure. Oh well.
Drive it and monitor it for a couple of days. It might just have been a little bit overfilled from the addition of the distilled water.
Thank you for the tip. It was really gushing out. I refilled some distilled water to see if it was only a problem when running/pressurized. So far it seems to be holding when cold.
If you overfill will it not simply dump just enough fluid to bring it back to the recommended levels? Or is it more of a uncontrolled, overpressurized, dump until pressure equalizes situation?
Thank again
Last edited by Bringebaer; 07-31-2018 at 11:43 AM.
Mostly your second stated option. And even when it equalizes pressure it may do it again until there is enough airspace in the tank to act as a buffer. My 2003 C2 was happy with the tank ~1\2 full when cold the 04 turbo settles at~2/3. Both hit MAX line when hot.
fpb111: I appreciate your insights. I will start it up with and go for a slow ride while monitoring the temperatures. I don't want overheat/warp anything in the engine, but unfortunately it is very hard to read the min-max with the cap on. Would this be safe or is it advisable to just have it towed to a shop?
Sure if you think it is something catastrophic take it to a mechanic. You might be over reacting. If it gushes out while sitting after a good run while still hot (heat soaking) it is most likely a cracked tank. Buy a new tank and swear it in ...I mean replace the old one.
07-28-2018, 04:15 PM
Leak Driver's Rear Wheel Arch
