coolant leak, A/C condensation, or *gasp* head gasket?
#1
K-Fed's Stunt Double
Thread Starter
coolant leak, A/C condensation, or *gasp* head gasket?
hi guys,
so recently my vehicle has started dripping near the passenger side. it is a recent phenomenon.
i had to refill my coolant approximately 1 month ago because swapping my TB resulted in my existing coolant being evaporated.
i have had no issues with overheating or anything after the first top-up.
thx
![coolant leak, A/C condensation, or *gasp* head gasket?-27zk4ee.jpg](https://acurazine.com/forums/attachments/2g-tl-1999-2003-98/100457d1683150443t-coolant-leak-c-condensation-%2Agasp%2A-head-gasket-27zk4ee.jpg)
![coolant leak, A/C condensation, or *gasp* head gasket?-whvbj8d.jpg](https://acurazine.com/forums/attachments/2g-tl-1999-2003-98/100458d1683150443t-coolant-leak-c-condensation-%2Agasp%2A-head-gasket-whvbj8d.jpg)
so recently my vehicle has started dripping near the passenger side. it is a recent phenomenon.
i had to refill my coolant approximately 1 month ago because swapping my TB resulted in my existing coolant being evaporated.
- i'm using some prestone stuff until i take it in for the 105K mi service, but i wanted to share these pictures and get your opinion. (i do have the timing belt adjuster, automatic adjuster, idler, and tensioner scheduled w/ the water pump and belts, fwiw)
- the cause for the evaporation was my TB swap, as some coolant spewed out when i was swapping, and the rest (low) was evaporated when testing the swapped TB.
- after using this stuff, the issue the car has had no issue w/ temps, or leaks. this is the first leak i've seen since the swap.
- the cause for the evaporation was my TB swap, as some coolant spewed out when i was swapping, and the rest (low) was evaporated when testing the swapped TB.
- i believe it was just low coolant. the thermostat needle was maxed on two occasions, but again i have not noticed any leaks/issues from this episode at all. this drippage has only occurred in the past few days
- upon checking the radiator level which was full (great), i did notice that prior to lifting the cap there was noticeable (audible) pressure being released.
- the reservoir level dipped somewhat, as you would expect, so i topped up the reservoir (very little, maybe 50-100mL).
i have had no issues with overheating or anything after the first top-up.
- no check engine light
- nothing.
thx
![coolant leak, A/C condensation, or *gasp* head gasket?-27zk4ee.jpg](https://acurazine.com/forums/attachments/2g-tl-1999-2003-98/100457d1683150443t-coolant-leak-c-condensation-%2Agasp%2A-head-gasket-27zk4ee.jpg)
![coolant leak, A/C condensation, or *gasp* head gasket?-whvbj8d.jpg](https://acurazine.com/forums/attachments/2g-tl-1999-2003-98/100458d1683150443t-coolant-leak-c-condensation-%2Agasp%2A-head-gasket-whvbj8d.jpg)
![coolant leak, A/C condensation, or *gasp* head gasket?-qjgfn8l.jpg](https://acurazine.com/forums/attachments/2g-tl-1999-2003-98/100459d1683150443t-coolant-leak-c-condensation-%2Agasp%2A-head-gasket-qjgfn8l.jpg)
Last edited by broly; 06-16-2017 at 06:20 PM. Reason: adding note that my tensioner/idler/adjusters are getting replaced w/ the pump/belts. also being clear re:overheating episode
#2
K-Fed's Stunt Double
Thread Starter
sorry for the additional post,
just looking at hte service manual breakdown of that respective area, could a wonky tensioner/adjuster(s)/idler result in such leaks?
![coolant leak, A/C condensation, or *gasp* head gasket?-ezvwuq6.png](https://acurazine.com/forums/attachments/2g-tl-1999-2003-98/100455d1683150443t-coolant-leak-c-condensation-%2Agasp%2A-head-gasket-ezvwuq6.png)
i will keep digging to see if i can find something closer to the area than this.
edit: found this in the service manual
![coolant leak, A/C condensation, or *gasp* head gasket?-89uwtmk.png](https://acurazine.com/forums/attachments/2g-tl-1999-2003-98/100456d1683150443t-coolant-leak-c-condensation-%2Agasp%2A-head-gasket-89uwtmk.png)
it does seem like my water pump is on its way out. no big surprise. i do not think it has been replaced, ever.
would appreciate some confirmation or assessment of my analysis on the predicament.
bless!
just looking at hte service manual breakdown of that respective area, could a wonky tensioner/adjuster(s)/idler result in such leaks?
![coolant leak, A/C condensation, or *gasp* head gasket?-ezvwuq6.png](https://acurazine.com/forums/attachments/2g-tl-1999-2003-98/100455d1683150443t-coolant-leak-c-condensation-%2Agasp%2A-head-gasket-ezvwuq6.png)
i will keep digging to see if i can find something closer to the area than this.
edit: found this in the service manual
![coolant leak, A/C condensation, or *gasp* head gasket?-89uwtmk.png](https://acurazine.com/forums/attachments/2g-tl-1999-2003-98/100456d1683150443t-coolant-leak-c-condensation-%2Agasp%2A-head-gasket-89uwtmk.png)
it does seem like my water pump is on its way out. no big surprise. i do not think it has been replaced, ever.
would appreciate some confirmation or assessment of my analysis on the predicament.
bless!
Last edited by broly; 06-16-2017 at 06:43 PM. Reason: sharing additional picture that suggests it may indeed be a waning water pump
#3
Pro
My water pump developed a leak in my 03 TLS at 360k so I knew it was time to replace it along with the timing belt and components. I could tell the wp went bad because it would leave small green puddles of coolant directly under the lower timing belt cover if the car sat in the same spot for awhile. Also I had to keep adding coolant which obviously was leaking out.
Check under your timing cover and see if the area is wet like mine was. If it is then you need to do this job immediately. To prevent overheating and damaging your engine.
Check under your timing cover and see if the area is wet like mine was. If it is then you need to do this job immediately. To prevent overheating and damaging your engine.