Hi gurus,

I just noticed my first coolant leak in a 2002 C4 with 40500 miles. Attached are two pictures. Just looking for tips on dealing with this. I plan on cleaning it off tomorrow and figuring out where the oil is coming from.

Thanks,

Ward

 

Umm, that looks like a coolant leak from the hose clamp. Not oil leak.

 

Are you sure that is oil? If I have my bearings -- that is the water pump area.

I would pull off your serpentine belt and check for play in waterpump shaft/pulley if it is indeed antifreeze and not oil.

m

 

Hi Kalashnikov and txhokie4life,

Thanks - you're right - wrong color.

Thanks for the pointer on the belt/water pump. I was in a Car Control Clinic on Sunday and probably shook things up a bit too much.

Ward

 

I had the exact same looking leak except enough to leave a puddle on the floor. You can get a light and look up behind the water pump pully to see if that's the source. Mine was traced to the water pump. Currently being fixed in the shop.

 

I would start by cleaning up that area with some degreaser cleaner and plenty of water. Second, it looks like either the hose or hose clamp is going bad. You can very very carefully cut the clamp with a dremel and cutting wheel and remove it without having to take off the hose. I did that on several hose clamps to replace them with SS worm clamps. I basically cut through most of the hose clamp in two places in order to pry and break it apart with a screwdriver. Very careful to NOT cut all the way through the metal and hit the hose. Once you do that (replace the clamp), monitor the area for any drips. Check the hose as well...is it soft and gooey? Should not be too soft nor too hard. Once you have the area cleaned up watch to see if any coolant is leaking down from behind the water pump pulley. If you see anything there...time for a new water pump. Very common for the water pump seal to start leaking at 40,000-60,000 miles and need to be replaced with a new water pump.

 

Hi DBJoe996 and tokyopav,

Thanks for the replies !!

Hi DBJoe996,

You nailed it - the water pump was leaking and needed to be replaced. Thanks for your pointers on checking it out. I'm going to stash those away. I ended up taking it into my Indy.

Ward

 

Just curious. Is changing water pump a DIY on these cars? I have done it on couple of other vehicles I have previously owned.

 

Make sure you're indy shows you the impelars of the old pump. If any of the blades are missing, they could be circulating in your coolant and possibly or eventually block a coolant passage causing hot spots. Nothing to be too alarmed about but just something to be aware of.

 

Its an easy DIY but like Alpy said, you better find the impeller pieces if any are missing from the pump. I think JR even re-assembles the broken ones to be sure he got them all.

 

Thanks Alpine003 - Will do. I don't want any additional surprises in the future

 

Just got my car back from getting a new water pump. In true Japanese fashion they changed everything in the surrounding area including rusty bolts, dirty hoses, exhaust fittings, thermostat and housing... The list goes on to the tune of $2200 including the new tax rate introduced recently... Thank you Tokyo.
Good news is the impeller was intact with no damage on the vanes so just leaky bearing.
Time for some michelin PSS's just in time for summer.