Colant Leak - Small leak turned into a big one

Raysp30 · 03-02-2009, 06:52 PM

I have a 2000 SL1, 119,000 miles on it that has had a small coolanet leak on it for about 6 months. I've had to add coolant to the tank about every 6-8 weeks since it started.

Last fall, I went and replaced the thermostat with a hotter 195 degree one. Before it got too cold I replaced the gasket in the thermostat again thinking that it might have been the source of the small leak. I just checked all of the bolts again and they were fine.

Over the weekend the coolant light came on, again, and while I was driving on the highway I watched the temp on my scanguage climb from the 190s to 225 before I found a place to stop. What coolant remained in the tank was foaming a little and I refilled the coolant. Later that day the coolant light came on again.

Before I go and drop $200 on a new radiator and hoses, does anyone have any other ideas what could cause a small leak to turn into a gusher? Is this a no brainer radiator crack or could it still be something less costly? Thanks in advance.

rc1488 · 03-02-2009, 06:55 PM

Water pump. Check it. Dont let the car get into the RED on the gauge or you will be looking for a new Head instead of just a water pump.

DonP · 03-02-2009, 07:09 PM

Water pumps have a typical life span of around 80 K miles, so your is about due, and as noted above, it the #1 suspect location, once you have verified that all clamps are holding and hoses are OK.

Is is perhaps a bit early for the radiator leak. It typically happens in the 10-12 year window. Best way to inspect the pump is to pull the passanger side wheel and splash shield to get a good look. If it has a visible leak, replace it ASAP. Once the start to go, they can go very fast. (Mine went from no visible leak under the car to gushing perhaps a reservoir full per mile in a matter of 6 miles.)

ruley73 · 03-02-2009, 07:25 PM

If it's boiling over replace the radiator cap with a new one. It's $5 at most parts stores.

Is the leak visible at all?

Drivers side is usually radiator, passenger side is either the water pump weeping/leaking or the coolant reservoir boiling over due to a bad cap not holding pressure.

03-02-2009, 06:55 PM	#2
rc1488 Master Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Carmel, NY Posts: 5,660 rc1488's Photos 1997 SL2 1995 SC2	Re: Colant Leak - Small leak turned into a big one Water pump. Check it. Dont let the car get into the RED on the gauge or you will be looking for a new Head instead of just a water pump. ... Current: 95 SC2 Man 97 SL2 Auto 98 SL1 Auto 01 SL1 Man 02 SL1 Man Past: 94 SL2 Man 95 SL2 Man 95 SL2 Man 96 SL2 Auto 97 SL2 Man 98 SL2 Auto 99 SL2 Auto 2010 SCCA Mohud Street Championship-2nd Place

03-02-2009, 07:09 PM	#3
DonP Master Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: VA Posts: 3,582 DonP's Photos 1995 SL2	Re: Colant Leak - Small leak turned into a big one Water pumps have a typical life span of around 80 K miles, so your is about due, and as noted above, it the #1 suspect location, once you have verified that all clamps are holding and hoses are OK. Is is perhaps a bit early for the radiator leak. It typically happens in the 10-12 year window. Best way to inspect the pump is to pull the passanger side wheel and splash shield to get a good look. If it has a visible leak, replace it ASAP. Once the start to go, they can go very fast. (Mine went from no visible leak under the car to gushing perhaps a reservoir full per mile in a matter of 6 miles.)

03-02-2009, 07:25 PM	#4
ruley73 Master Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Is this heaven?....No, it's Iowa! Posts: 3,114 ruley73's Photos	Re: Colant Leak - Small leak turned into a big one If it's boiling over replace the radiator cap with a new one. It's $5 at most parts stores. Is the leak visible at all? Drivers side is usually radiator, passenger side is either the water pump weeping/leaking or the coolant reservoir boiling over due to a bad cap not holding pressure. ... 2007 Ion 2 Quad Coupe 5-speed manual 183K miles gone 2007 Chevy Equinox LT 205K miles 2018 Chrysler Pacifica Touring L 74K miles

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03-02-2009, 06:52 PM	#1
Raysp30 Junior Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 38	Colant Leak - Small leak turned into a big one I have a 2000 SL1, 119,000 miles on it that has had a small coolanet leak on it for about 6 months. I've had to add coolant to the tank about every 6-8 weeks since it started. Last fall, I went and replaced the thermostat with a hotter 195 degree one. Before it got too cold I replaced the gasket in the thermostat again thinking that it might have been the source of the small leak. I just checked all of the bolts again and they were fine. Over the weekend the coolant light came on, again, and while I was driving on the highway I watched the temp on my scanguage climb from the 190s to 225 before I found a place to stop. What coolant remained in the tank was foaming a little and I refilled the coolant. Later that day the coolant light came on again. Before I go and drop $200 on a new radiator and hoses, does anyone have any other ideas what could cause a small leak to turn into a gusher? Is this a no brainer radiator crack or could it still be something less costly? Thanks in advance.

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