Losing coolant

maxpower_454 · 11-09-2011, 02:28 PM

My 2001 SL2 has started losing coolant lately. It's not much, maybe a pint or so a week. The coolant low level light will come on, I top it off, and it's good for a while.

My question is, where could it be going? I don't see spots on the ground or any signs of it leaking in the engine bay.

I didn't do a compression test but the car runs great!

BV22 · 11-09-2011, 02:36 PM

If you are past 100k miles, the water pump is a likely suspect for a slow leak. Look around it and swab your finger behind the pulley looking for coolant traces. Sometimes, you will see a faint line of coolant in the engine bay in the same plane as the pump pulley. Another common leak point is the driver's side radiator tank which can develop a crack with age. Either of these will get worse with time, so start hunting for coolant stains or drips.

maxpower_454 · 11-09-2011, 02:41 PM

Only at 73k miles right now but I will check the water pump and radiator tonight when it's hot and running.

TXSaturn02 · 11-09-2011, 03:00 PM

Even at only 73K miles, I would suspect the water pump if it is the original. I'd go ahead and change it before the leak gets worse.

maxpower_454 · 11-10-2011, 10:33 AM

Do the water pumps leak out the 'weep' hole? If so and it's the water pump, I should be able to see the leak.

BV22 · 11-10-2011, 11:56 AM

The leak is often at the shaft seal. The oozing coolant gets onto the pulley and is slung against the radiator and sometimes the hood insulation. If you see a vertical line of dampness on the passenger side of the radiator, it's water pump time.

2NDSOUT · 11-10-2011, 09:51 PM

Check the Driver's side top of the radiator as well.

This is a situation that you don't want to fool around with. Especially with colder weather upon us. Losing a pint of coolant and refilling is imbalancing the proper mix of coolant that you should have in the system.

I would check: Radiator, Coolant Tank and Water Pump; along with all hoses and replace the appropriate parts- otherwise you will have a hefty tow bill.

Do the repairs NOW before you are stranded during the day on the road even though you topped the coolant off.

Been here, done this....Not fun being stranded.

11-09-2011, 02:28 PM	#1
maxpower_454 Junior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: NE PA Posts: 46 2001 SL2	Losing coolant My 2001 SL2 has started losing coolant lately. It's not much, maybe a pint or so a week. The coolant low level light will come on, I top it off, and it's good for a while. My question is, where could it be going? I don't see spots on the ground or any signs of it leaking in the engine bay. I didn't do a compression test but the car runs great!

11-09-2011, 02:36 PM	#2
BV22 Master Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Texas Posts: 2,177 2002 SC1	Re: Losing coolant If you are past 100k miles, the water pump is a likely suspect for a slow leak. Look around it and swab your finger behind the pulley looking for coolant traces. Sometimes, you will see a faint line of coolant in the engine bay in the same plane as the pump pulley. Another common leak point is the driver's side radiator tank which can develop a crack with age. Either of these will get worse with time, so start hunting for coolant stains or drips. ... BV22 2002 SC1 5M RIP Sept 1 2018 315,344 miles

11-09-2011, 02:41 PM	#3
maxpower_454 Junior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: NE PA Posts: 46 2001 SL2	Re: Losing coolant Only at 73k miles right now but I will check the water pump and radiator tonight when it's hot and running.

11-09-2011, 03:00 PM	#4
TXSaturn02 Master Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Houston Posts: 4,091 TXSaturn02's Photos 2002 SL2	Re: Losing coolant Even at only 73K miles, I would suspect the water pump if it is the original. I'd go ahead and change it before the leak gets worse. ... 2002 SL2 Manual - new in November, 2001 As of 09/30/17: 223,751 Miles - SOLD New owner report of 08/08/19: 234,408 Miles 2013 Mazda 3 HB - new in October 2012 As of 11/12/20: 78,895 Miles

11-10-2011, 10:33 AM	#5
maxpower_454 Junior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: NE PA Posts: 46 2001 SL2	Re: Losing coolant Do the water pumps leak out the 'weep' hole? If so and it's the water pump, I should be able to see the leak.

11-10-2011, 11:56 AM	#6
BV22 Master Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Texas Posts: 2,177 2002 SC1	Re: Losing coolant The leak is often at the shaft seal. The oozing coolant gets onto the pulley and is slung against the radiator and sometimes the hood insulation. If you see a vertical line of dampness on the passenger side of the radiator, it's water pump time. ... BV22 2002 SC1 5M RIP Sept 1 2018 315,344 miles

11-10-2011, 09:51 PM	#7
2NDSOUT Master Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 7,409 2NDSOUT's Photos 1994 SL2 1999 SL	Re: Losing coolant Check the Driver's side top of the radiator as well. This is a situation that you don't want to fool around with. Especially with colder weather upon us. Losing a pint of coolant and refilling is imbalancing the proper mix of coolant that you should have in the system. I would check: Radiator, Coolant Tank and Water Pump; along with all hoses and replace the appropriate parts- otherwise you will have a hefty tow bill. Do the repairs NOW before you are stranded during the day on the road even though you topped the coolant off. Been here, done this....Not fun being stranded. ... Bryan 94SL2 HCE, "Pearl" 99 SL 94SL2 260K Miles 1/15 97SW2 266K Miles 2/15 Always 94SC1 340,501 Miles Org. Engine/Auto Trans 2/97-10/08 Gone 3/12 92SL1 05VUE 91SC

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