[Kaj Hallstrom]

Once in a while I notice a drip or two of coolant on the floor. When I check on hoses there is nothing going on, no leaks. It only happens once in a while and I do not notice any change in the coolant reservoir (I take it that it would be a big leak before I notice). Now, is it just spitting out a few drops from the pressure overflow when hot or what is going on?

 

Any inputs guys?

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[az968]

Can you identify the circumstances when this happens? Engine hot? Location under car and what's above that? Any moisture on the hoses?

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[Bulti]

Could be the overflow due to a weak filler cap. Could be the joints of the radiator where the metal meets the plastic, could be a small crack in a hose or radiator. Or maybe a clamping ring that needs to be replaced.


Best is to clean and make sure everything is dry, take her for a spin and try to pinpoint the source. It can be tricky, especially if it's the joints of the radiator.

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[94SilverCab]

Coolant overflow has a pressure cap which could be your culprit. I totally agree with Bulti.

 

Jay

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[Ryan]

A tired water pump will weep as well.  Kind of depends on the location and it can be hard to tell with the pan on the bottom of the car.

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[flash]

the heater control valve is also known to occasionally leave a drip or two, just before it fails.

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[williamoss]

My overflow bottle had a pressure cap on it which was check by my mechanic who discovered it was defective, i.e., not holding the proper pressure so he replaced it. The old one looked brand new but was leaking, not that you could tell be looking at it.

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[Bulti]

It could also be that a shady mech hooked up the windscreen washers to the coolant reservoir. Can you see a piece of garden hose that shouldn't be there?

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[Kaj Hallstrom]

After spending some time today trying to find the reason for the occasional 1-2 drop coolant leak I found the following:

The coolant drips from a small hole ( need to check if a bolt is missing) on the passenger side of the engine pan. It appears to be travelling from the reservoir (driver) side. I checked the cap and it appears sealed. No leaks from it when engine is hot. No leaks detected from any hose attached to the reservoir. I suspect it's the overflow hose that causes this. But why? The engine is not overheating and always operating within it's limits even on hot days.(We have already had a few this spring) Water pump is brand new. The overflow cap is still a suspect and to be checked further. The only way to find out is to get it up in the air and remove the shield pan. That will be next....to be continued!!!

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[flash]

don't make the mistake of assuming that "brand new" means working.  in fact, brand new parts fail all the time.  they are always the most suspect components when i am diagnosing something.

 

that being said, a drip on the passenger side further leads me to suspect the heater control valve

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[Kaj Hallstrom]

"No stone will be left unturned"...or as the Grateful Dead use to say..." No left turn unstoned"

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[ds968]

...or as the Grateful Dead use to say..." No left turn unstoned"

I guess that means no drug testing at NASCAR ..


If it was the water pump, very soon after noticing small coolant spots on the ground ( often within a couple of days ) the proverbial flood gates will open and a lot of coolant will pour out right after the car stops running . If that hasn't happened by now, I tend to doubt it's the water pump so perhaps the HCV , or a very small radiator crack in a spot that's not all that visible, considering you already checked all the hoses and clamps and everything seems to be in order , and dry ..

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[94SilverCab]

HCV

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