Rad fluid leak, on driver side of engine.

[drutt]

So I seem to have a rad fluid leak and I can't quite figure out where it's coming from. It is a slight drip on the driver side of the engine. I only noticed it when underneath looking for my turbo part #. Doesn't leave patches on the pavement. The water pump, main rad hoses, etc. are all on the other side of the block so all I can figure is that this might be the first sign of a blown head gasket, although, I don't have any white smoke while driving. On start up, it coughs and sputters for 15-20s or so then runs completely smoothly. Temperature has never been above 1/3 (if the temp gauge is remotely accurate...an EGT gauge is coming soon!). Is it possible the head is cracked? Or gasket just blown? Or are there some heater core hoses that come around the driver side of the block. I've looked at engine schematics, but can't seem to find the likely source. The rad fluid is dripping down the side of the block, but I just can't see the source! Any ideas anyone?! (Although the water pump, thermostat and rad hoses have been replaced, it still does have the original rad. Temp control seems to be okay up until this point though.)

[thelazygreenfox]

Drutt
Remember the KISS principle. Most faults are from work just done.

When was the thermostat replaced? It's on the drivers side, so is the rad hose feeding it. Try tightening the therm housing and the rad hose connectors.

TLGF

[FalcoColumbarius]

The engine coolant drain plug is also on the driver's side of the engine block, perhaps it was not torqued down properly?

Falco.

[drutt]

Thanks a ton! I'll be checking all of the above. At least the sick feeling in my stomach is gone, for the time being. It's got to be one of those..

[Lapprentis]

Hello Delica Community ! I do have the same leak location: On the driver side, can see drops up too the alternator bottom but have not found the source yet....

Case:

-L300 1990, 65000km

-Havent notice any problems before (still in my backyard waiting for mecanical inspection) so NO true riding since a year). Coolant dripping on the ground recently, or I should say more so after checking the Air Conditioning (AC); When I put the AC ON the engine go a little bit lower RPM (Think it is normal) and engine vibrate a llittle bit more and may cause this leakage ??????

-Also tried -played (with heater-cooler defrost console on front and back a little....

Need your advices....

Much Thanks

Denis

[TardisDeli]

I vote it is from the AC Air Conditioner, if it was on. The condenser coils get frosty-cold when in use, and when you park and turn off the engine then the frost melts and becomes a puddle of water.

If it were a coolant leak, look at the "coolant overflow bottle" when engine is cold (ie after parked overnight, check it same time every day, on level ground BEFORE you start the engine). See where the level is, top it to the "full line" (not fill to the top of the bottle). Extra coolant exits below the bottle, sometimes there is a short hose attached to bottle, on the L300 it drains under the passenger seat. If the leak is elsewhere in system, it would show on the bottle level when cold (of course you look at each day before you start the engine).

Cheers Christine

[Lapprentis]

PROBLEM SOLVED Thanks Christine and everyone: My Mechanic Man told that there was a prestone leak from a lower hose going up to the radiator: he will fix it so that it wont leak anymore :)

Thanks all

Lapprentis :)