Coolant leak?

Anatoly · Post by **Anatoly** » Fri Apr 15, 2011 12:11 pm

Hey guys, my gf currently own 1997 Dodge Neon 2dr, and it looks like its leaking coolant from the passenger side, kinda parallel to the tire. Is there a hose or something there or it's coolant tank? Also, is there a bleeding "screw" or something like that to bleed the system?
Thanks in advance!

garfield3887 · Post by **garfield3887** » Fri Apr 15, 2011 12:25 pm

The passenger side of the vehicle is where you'll find the following,

Water pump
Lower Radiator Hose
Bleeder screw on the lower part of the radiator

How many miles does it have on it? And has she had the water pump replaced? How much coolant is she losing?

I have a 2nd gen, and my leak was from the water pump. If it looks like it's dripping coolant from the passenger side of the oil pan, it's probably your water pump going out. The water pump is behind the timing belt housing and driven by the timing belt, you should be able to tell if there's water lines from the coolant running down. You can also jack it up and check to make sure the lower radiator hose hasn't come loose somehow and that it's in good condition (not cracked or anything).

It could be leaking from up top as well, make sure the line that runs just below the radiator cap to the coolant resevoir is in good condition and not cracked as well. Also check where the upper radiator hose connects to the thermostat housing and make sure it's in good condition.

I haven't owned a first gen for a few years, but if i recall most everything is the same as a 2nd gen. hope this helps a little.

Post by **occasional demons** » Fri Apr 15, 2011 12:34 pm

garfield3887 wrote:The passenger side of the vehicle is where you'll find the following,
Bleeder screw on the lower part of the radiator

While it will technically "Bleed" your radiator dry, it is actually a drain plug.

There isn't any air bleed on these, if that is what the OP was referring to. Just get a thermostat with the jiggler valve, so it will self bleed as you fill it.

Anatoly · Post by **Anatoly** » Fri Apr 15, 2011 4:17 pm

I don't think it's the water pump, because it's like pouring through, like there is a hole or something. Probably it's the hose, I'll try to use my buddys shop to figure it out. Also, the front fans on the radiator are wired to be always on when the car is on. It starts to overheat when you just sitting somewhere, but goes back to normal when you start driving, that's why I thought ... may be it's just needs to be bleed, but then found out there is nothing in the expansion tank and tried to fill it up.
If the car have been driven like that, could anything be damaged?
Thanks for all your help guys!

Post by **occasional demons** » Fri Apr 15, 2011 5:15 pm

Anatoly wrote:
If the car have been driven like that, could anything be damaged?
Thanks for all your help guys!

Depends on how hot the head actually got. If the temp gauge did not go too high, it should be ok. Only time will tell.

Check the rubber hoses that connect to the metal heater hose tubes under the intake manifold. One comes out of the head under the t'stat housing, and the other connects to the lower radiator hose/water pump inlet tube. These are not available separately from the dealer anymore. You need to buy a formed tube and cut it into two pieces, one 90º and one short 180º

LINK

For a clearer image of the location:

Use a razor knife to remove the one from the water pump inlet. I almost had mine wiggled all the way off/partially cut, and the plastic nipple still cracked on me. Old age is a bitch. Thus why I gave the link for the hose. It isn't worth trying to save.

Anatoly · Post by **Anatoly** » Tue Apr 19, 2011 3:37 pm

Thank you for your help guys! So, I went to my buddies shop, and what's weird is that it's not leaking anymore? I had the biggest "WTF" face ... lol Is there overfill drain or something like that?

OB · Post by OB » Tue Apr 19, 2011 3:59 pm

^Maybe there is no coolant left to leak?...

Overfill drain? The reservoir has a vent that allows excess coolant out if the system is overfilled, if that's what you mean.

Did your friend pressure test it to try to locate the leak?

Anatoly · Post by **Anatoly** » Tue Apr 19, 2011 6:10 pm

^ Reservoir full. Car sat over night, didn't leak anything.