Coolant leak near area below coolant tank?

ericem · Post by **ericem** » Thu Oct 01, 2009 11:23 pm

Hey guys, every so often I have been getting a smell of coolant and it appears there has been some coolant on the block right below the coolant tank. Has been doing this even after replacing the coolant tank with a wrx one with new hoses! I am wondering what could possibly be the issue? Any ideas? Doesn't SEEM like the crossover pipe at the seal right where it connects to the block but IDK, any other possible things to look over?

BSOD2600 · Post by **BSOD2600** » Fri Oct 02, 2009 6:15 am

A smell of coolant inside the passenger cabin, could be a sign your heater core is leaking. Peal back the carpet on the passenger side and check the area under the dash if you're getting any coolant leaking down there. If so, you're in for a bitch of a job replacing it.

As for coolant on the engine... does it leak while the engine idles / revs?? Felt the connections to the new tank to make sure they're dry and not leaking?

kimokalihi · Post by **kimokalihi** » Fri Oct 02, 2009 10:22 am

Heater cores are the worst. Probably seriously the hardest thing you could do on this car. Or maybe more like the most frustrating and it'll cut your hands up in the process from all the sharp objects in the dash while you're removing it.

I replaced mine because it start leaking and smelling like coolant in the vents. Long story short I ended up having to take it out twice in that process after completely getting it all back together.

I was not a happy camper.

ericem · Post by **ericem** » Fri Oct 02, 2009 4:52 pm

I mean like if I get out and pop the hood there is a coolant smell which can elevate into the cabin

Doesn't appear to be a consistent leak either as the system pressurizes just fine.

wtdash · Post by **wtdash** » Sat Oct 03, 2009 5:15 am

Triple-check the hoses...esp. around the clamps.

Also, make sure the hoses are correct..... trying to make a straight hose work on an elbow, etc. can cause leaks.

Check that the radiator/tank cap is on tight....Mine had a leak...replaced it to fix.

P.s. rumor is to use the Legacy radiator cap on the tank; not the WRX's.

ericem · Post by **ericem** » Sat Oct 03, 2009 5:20 am

im using a new cap with the orange sticker.

magicmike · Post by **magicmike** » Sat Oct 03, 2009 1:12 pm

if your radiator is starting to go it will smell like coolant in the engine bay without seeing any visible leaks.

ericem · Post by **ericem** » Sat Oct 03, 2009 4:31 pm

Replaced it for the heck of it.

Post by **Legacy777** » Tue Oct 06, 2009 3:53 pm

Coolant leaks can be a pain to diagnose/find some times. You can buy a dye to put in the coolant and then use a UV light to find where the leak is coming from. I did this for my AWIC setup as I was leaking water, but couldn't find where it was coming from.

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Coolant leak near area below coolant tank?

Coolant leak near area below coolant tank?