Is this coolant leak, or pink rock candy?

[Mooseimage]

Here's some pics:







So is this coolant, or something else. I first noticed it about a month or so ago, but is was minimal. I went to take pics of my car and when I popped the hood, remembered it and looked. It has drastically increased, and the fresh red in the first pic finally confirms that something is leaking. What is this stuff, what can be the cause, and suggestions of how to fix it.

Pics taken by looking behind the motor from the passenger side of the car.

[BONFIRE074]

looks like coolant to me

[biketsai]

coolant ftl

[Ewok_Fetus]

Coolant flange FTW! I have a spare one for cheaps! $18 shipped...

[Mooseimage]

Damn, I was hoping it was candy, was hungry for it. haha. So it is coolant unfortunately, and Ewok, you say it is the coolant flange and have one - will it come with all gaskets too? If so, I might take you up on that offer. I also read that some flanges have a second port that needs to be plugged if it is not the older version of it. Can you post a pic of the part? Thanks.

[Ewok_Fetus]

Yeah, I can do it tomorrow... Wiff has the camera right now... It is for a 2001... Thought I would break mine while doing some stuff back there but never did... Got it as a precaution...

[SFexBOY]

bad coolant flange. Happened to be earlier this yr on my 01.5. Do yourself a favor and replace the coolant temp sensor while you're in there. Mine just went bad, and should've replaced it while I was in there.

[m5racer]

what coolent, no, it the pink rock candy, your (rock candy) despensor must be over filling!

[Mooseimage]

I'll definitely change the sensor along with it. Is the best way to attack this problem from above or below the car? Actually, nm. dumb question, above is probably best since i don' have the exhaust pipe in the way. I'm gonna check it out one last time on my way home after work to see how fresh the drip pool is. Oddly enough, with the amount I've lost so far, I'm suprised the car hasn't started crappin out on me. Hope it stays that way till I get back from Mexico next week.

[onemoremile]

Hit it from above. It is pretty much blind so a mirror helps to make sure it is tightened down all the way. Be careful not to stress the other piping when you replace the part. Also make sure to clean the area well to ensure a good seal.

[P3RryaudiA4]

so what is it when the rock candy lol is leaking from the oil cooler, i have an issue and it seems to becoming from where the 2 hoses connect to the cooler but its not the hoses its whatever the hoses connect onto. is that the coolant flange? lil help guys...

[P3RryaudiA4]

is ther a problem with the seals on the oil coolers? im hoping thats it because a new oil cooler would be like 100 or so.. any1 know how to make sure you oil cooler is workin. my oil temps never hit 250 buts its been so hot lately that it goes to bout 200, and i just looked at it again and im almost posative its coming from the oil cooler, like inbetween the to parts of the oil cooler, u knohow one side has one line and the other has onether coolant line? its right inbetween ther...

[P3RryaudiA4]

ahh cumon someonw help me out plz, if it is the oil cooler how bad is it to drive like this? will the oil mix, im bout to order a oil cooler because im sure its leakin between the oil filter side and the oil cooler side. basicly the coolant side and oil side of the cooler.. i herd you could pressure test it and look for leaks but idk how.. someon help

[onemoremile]

It could mix if the break is in the right place. If your oil looks like chocolate milk then it mixed.

[P3RryaudiA4]

i checked the oil and it seems normal. is this choclate milk think obvioud to see or does it look like just dark oil, and how bad is this to drive with ? thanks for the responce tho man i appriciate it...

[SykoraA4]

i had this same problem last summer, and now im having it again. the shop i took it too said it was bad clamps to the oil cooler, but now im thinking it might be the oilcooler itself.