ch0g0nda

Hiya guys,

I've got an '89 hatch with a B18A swap. I'm having problems with a mysterious coolant leak. I can't identify any particular hose which might be giving me problems.

It's leaking quite quickly. If I drive the car anything other than gently then pull over I see a nice steady stream of coolant coming out. It's been leaking on and off for the past couple of weeks.

Today it started to play a new game with me. The coolant temp gauge shoots right up to red with just mild driving. I know it's not accurate since with the heat cranked and the fan on high I'm not getting anything but lukewarm air coming out my vents.

I'm kind of stumped. I've turned wrenches a little bit on cars but I've never had to do anything cooling system related.

Recent repair work has been: New thermostat a month ago. It was actually right after getting the new thermostat in there that I noticed a leak; the engine would give off tonnes of steam after driving.

A few days ago I also went in and fixed my FITV as my idle was screwy. I noticed while putting the coolant hoses back onto the FITV housing that if I pulled on the lower hose I would get a coolant trickle.

I plan on going out tomorrow and ripping it all apart again (woo) and was really just wondering if anyone had any helpful advice for me. Perhaps someone here once had some similar symptoms. Anyway, I'd appreciate anything anyone could tell me.

Pics (for fun)

mykoe817

check thermostat, then check near water pump area, theres a purge on the water pump and sometimes it can leak water which goes on the edge of the motor and trickles down somewhere else.

i had a similar issue, pulled thermostat out and refilled engine to see if leak stop. i also kept an eye on the temp to see if its still goin all the way up.

g'luk

EF_LSVtec

sounds like waterpump.

EFM_ookie

water pump FTW- time for new waterpump and should do a timing belt while ur at it

ch0g0nda

Is the water-pump such a PIA?

The timing belt is only a year old, it's staying.

Thx for the quick replies everyone!

EFM_ookie

i didnt really engoy the water pump... can be done in a hour or less if u know what ur doin

black88si

T-belt and water pump are pretty easy. Should do them both. The water pump is designed to leak a little bit as it goes bad (to let you know) and as you keep driving it will only get worse.

Sounds to me like you might have a small rip/tear/puncture on one of your hoses. Where about is it leaking from? Like if you stand at the front of the car and notice where the water trickles from....it would help quite a bit .

ch0g0nda

The leak seems to be coming down just over the passenger's side by the exhaust.

black88si

Then the odds of it being your water pump are slim to none. I would check the hoses on the backside of your head. IACV, other misc hoses. Almost a guarantee that one of them has a small leak.

The reason you only get lukewarm air when you turn your heater on, is because your cooling system is low....and the heater core is full of more air than water. Make sure when you find your leak and fix it, that you bleed your coolant system.

If there are air bubbles trapped in the line they will end up caught at the coolant temp sensor and it will appear that your engines temp is always hot.

ch0g0nda

Wicked man, sounds bang on.

I'll start digging in tomorrow and see what I can find though I think I already know which hose it is.

Just out of curiosity: Once I've found the hose how do I go about replacing it? Most of the hoses are shaped right? Or can you just get 'a' coolant hose and bend it to your will?

Again, sorry for all the noob questions, but I'm learning as I go.

black88si

Yes, a lot of the coolant hoses are shaped. I just go to pep boys (the have the most hoses around here) with the old hose, and try to find something with similar bends in the right size. Even if it is too long, just trim it down.

Most of those places will let you come back and check out the hose section. Needlenose pliers will be your friend when taking the clamps off. Hook nose needle nose pliers work best Ive found.

When you put the new hose on, I usually like to dip the ends into coolant or water to ease their slide on. Could probably get away with using a tiny bit of WD40 (not sure if it is needed though)

ch0g0nda

Thx for the help black88si. I got the problems sorted out this morning.

Turns out one of the hoses popped a leak ages ago and one of the po's decided that they could just throw some silicone on. It was one of the hoses attached to the FITV so when I went to clean it I must have torn the patchwork seal.

Anyway, all is well and my car is happy again.

Thanks guys!

black88si

No prob man. Glad I could help.