Mystery coolant leak

[67Twisty]

Found a small puddle of coolant this morning after starting my car. Appears to be dripping from the center/right of the belly pan. Infamous coolant flange at the firewall seems dry. I changed my t belt and thermostat about 10k miles ago and haven't had any leaks/drips until this am. I can't see any dried coolant residue at the thermostat location but maybe it's the hard line? I replaced all the o rings when I did the t-stat and not sure why it would start leaking now. Any other coolant lines/connections that could be suspect?

[yeoj112689]

Found a small puddle of coolant this morning after starting my car. Appears to be dripping from the center/right of the belly pan. Infamous coolant flange at the firewall seems dry. I changed my t belt and thermostat about 10k miles ago and haven't had any leaks/drips until this am. I can't see any dried coolant residue at the thermostat location but maybe it's the hard line? I replaced all the o rings when I did the t-stat and not sure why it would start leaking now. Any other coolant lines/connections that could be suspect?

Hey I know you said the coolant flange seems dry but with the car running try to put a bit of pressure on it, when mine was leaking it was not noticeable until I did this because there was a very small hairline crack in it and did not leak until there was either pressure from driving or manually. Idle running did not make it leak. Just a though.

Other thing is have you filled your coolant lately? If so you could have over filled it a bit and there is a overflow from your coolant tank that will leak out the extra.

Let us know if you find anything else.

[B72011]

Check for a leaking waterpump! DOH!

[67Twisty]

Thanks for the tip on the flange. I will try that tonight when I get a chance. Timing cover is clean and dry so I don't suspect the waterpump. Lord hope it's not as that is a royal pain to address. Coolant reservoir is level is mid way between min and max and hasn't moved. The drip must have just started as the system level has been very constant under my ownership. I haven't filled it since the timing belt service. Based on the drip location from the pan I think it's the thermostat and the coolant must have flashed off when hot so I don't see a residue trail yet.

[67Twisty]

Isolated the leak to the hard line on the t-stat. Anyone successfully fixed this with just a new o ring or I'm I better off replacing the t-stat again? I got it in the kit from europaparts and invoice says "OEM" but I don't recall who made it. Based on the price, it's probably the Behr Hella and not the genuine OEM. Anyone have fit issues or leak issues with the Behr?

[wding2000]

I believe Behr Hella is OE. No issue for me at all after 12K miles (1.5 years).

EDIT: actually mine is Mahle Behr. Not sure which is OE, but Behr Hella is a good brand as well.