Coolant Leak !

**ISLANDSTYLE** · 10-14-2008 10:14 AM

I hope someone can help. I have an 01 S4 and my car starts draining coolant after it gets warmed up. Ive read the other posts regarding aux pump, head gasket, etc. my car leaks under the driver side, just below the seat. when its warmed up, it looks like a steady drip of coolant. has anyone had this problem, if so what could it be. I see coolant residue dried on the elbow where the temp sensor plugs into, but I dont know what that part is. I also dont see any leaks from that area. Please Help.

**mholme** · 10-14-2008 10:25 AM

Could be the aux water pump, pretty common. There's also an overflow hose that should run from the coolant tank down the firewall on the driver's side in the area that you said the drip is from. Have you let the car warm up while looking under the hood?

**ISLANDSTYLE** · 10-14-2008 10:31 AM

Yes, The car is warm and running. i dont see any puddles where the aux pump is, and no visible puddles anywhere but under the car

**ISLANDSTYLE** · 10-14-2008 10:32 AM

Do I have to pull the mani to properly check?

**mholme** · 10-14-2008 02:18 PM

Originally Posted by ISLANDSTYLE

Do I have to pull the mani to properly check?

for the aux pump..you don't *have* to...but it makes it worlds easier.

**ISLANDSTYLE** · 10-14-2008 03:04 PM

I checked the aux pump, and overflow tube, and no leaks. I guess I'll have to jack up the car and check the heater core hoses. I also get white smoke from the passenger side of the engine, when idling

**JDM EJ1 95** · 10-14-2008 03:32 PM

heater hoses?

**ISLANDSTYLE** · 10-14-2008 04:25 PM

Heater core hoses, I cant find where the leak is

**DeionDavid** · 10-21-2008 02:34 PM

could be a crack/leak in your radiator

**DraxeofDclan** · 10-24-2008 08:14 PM

Mine only leaks when I use the A/C...good thing winter is coming.

**DJHWK7** · 10-24-2008 09:50 PM

What about the coolant temp sensor or after run pump sensor o-rings?

**MissingPixels** · 10-26-2008 01:06 AM

From the way you describe it, it sounds like you are losing a signifigant amount of coolant and have a bad leak.

I'd have to actually see your car to narrow this list down, but here are some common areas to check for leaks:

(include all coolant hoses going to and from)
-thermostat housing and water neck
-water pipe
-radiator
-to firewall (to heater core)
-throttle body on some cars
-coolant temp sensor (check bottom of radiator or water neck / thermostat housing) and coolant temperature "signal senders" (for your dashboard gauge, usually found on water neck or thermostat housing as well)

Also, a bad or leaking o-ring where your water pump and water pipe meet can cause leaks. Remember when you replace your water pump to always wet this o-ring with coolant first to ensure a proper seal.

...

If you had coolant squirting out of your coolant overflow canister you would be obviously overheating and have bigger things to worry about.

Excessive overheating can destroy a head gasket or even warp an aluminum head in some cases. After you isolate and fix your leak, if you suspect a blown head gasket some tell-tale signs are coolant in your oil or oil in your coolant. White smoke (burning coolant) coming from your exhaust is also a common sign of a blown head gasket, but be sure to do a compression check before you pull your head(s) since white smoke can also indicate blown turbo seals.

Hopefully, you are just losing a bit of coolant and not to the point of overheating. I hope the information I provided in the space above helps you find and fix your leak. Good luck, if you have any other questions feel free to send me a PM.