About 2 weeks ago, I noticed engine temp went well above normal. I stopped at a gas station and bought 1 gal of coolant. Put in about 5/6 gal.

I changed the coolant and washed the radiator last week end. I kept checking on the coolant level these 2 days. I notice there is some coolant loss everyday. I checked the ground, nothing there.

This morning I checked the ground. There was coolant on the ground and I saw coolant dribbling from engine oil pan area. That's passenger side.

What is leaking? Hoses, water pump or something else? I like to work on cars if it's not a complicated job. Please help.
Any suggestion is appreciated.

Jeff
95 GLE, 187k miles. All stock.

 

did you just put in staright up coolant or did you actually mix it with water. Hope you got the NEON green colored stuf too.

 

I bought the coolant from Walmart and mixed it with water. 50/50.

 

Are you sure the coolant is leaking directly from the oil pan or is maybe the coolant dripping ONTO the oil pan and then down the sides? If it was from the oil pan I can almost guarantee you'd have OIL in the coolant reservoir. Isn't one of the THICK radiator hoses lacated right above where the oil pan is?

 

Sorry about the confusion. Let me clarify.
The coolant dribbles from somewhere on the passenger side. I believe it leaks from somewhere else and got to the oil pan cover and to the ground. I don't think it came out of the oil pan.

I haven't been able to check the hoses yet. I would like to have advice in mind when I go to look at it.

Thanks.

Jeff

 

The big hose with the thermostat inside is located right there on the passanger side. Maybe you need to replace the thermostat as well since you have the heat problem.

 

I just checked the big hose. It is OK, no leak. Actually I think the coolant dribbles down about 2 inches behind the big hose. I mean it's 2 inches closer to the firewall than the hose.

Thanks.

Jeff

 

Coolant leaking from passenger side + overheating = Bad Water Pump

 

That's right. There is a weep hole in the block just above the AC compressor. Since the water pump is in the engine behind the timing cover, the pump is surrounded by two o-rings that seal the coolant passage from the timing chain area. Over time the o-rings become hard and lose their sealing efficacy, resulting in a leak, usually when the engine is cold. So the water pump may be perfectly fine, it's just the o-rings that need to be replaced. If you are paying somebody to do the work, you might as well just replace the pump along with the seals, though, since it will be the labor that will be the major cost.

 

It did not really overheat. When the coolant was low, I drove very slow for about 5 miles. Meanwhile I kept an eye on the temp to make sure it doesn't get to hot.
Right now, it seems it leaks when I drive and stops when it sits. Water pump? If so, where is the water pump located? Can I take a quick peek to see if it went bad?

Thanks.

Jeff