Where's the first place I should look for a coolant leak?
 

I was dropping someone off last night and talking for a minute while my car was still running and I notice that the temp rose above the midway mark. I had thought I had been smelling coolant, too, but I was hoping it was someone else's car. But I know it's mine, now. At least mine. How hard is it to replace the hoses? Is that the likely problem?

Could be from the hoses, water pump, radiator??? not a enough info..

like do u see it leak from some where?

check the hoses for bulges and crack. look for wet spots when you park. if you dont see it leaking but the coolant drops rapidly, you could have a headgasket leak. if you park the car for a few days and the coolant is gone, check your oil. milky white = big problem. there are ways around the $1200 job of fixing the head gasket leak though.

I haven't been able to see where it leaks from yet. The above comment about 1200 dollars scares the crap outta me.

huhah, screw $1200, just get a new engine for that amount:ghost:

that is a ballpark number and worst case scenario. most of that is labor charge if you pay someone to do it. but again, there are ways around it if that is the problem.

Look for coolant in the right front tire area ,a hose at the top of engine and the water pump will both leak down behind timing cover and run around the pan.

termostat gasket could be defective

a couple of new engines! lol
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=502303&page=3
flava_24/7 got one for $360

I had almost the exact same issue. Changed the radiator last night. The plastic tank had developed cracks in it. Look around areas where things attach (cap, hoses, etc) for wetness. Mine had developed cracks in at least 2 areas.

$215 for parts, and it took me 2-1/2 hours... If I did the same job today, it'd take an hour. It's easy. Definitely easier than a KS replacement!

Interesting. I got an oil change at the stealership yesterday and I told them to look around for a leak (first he said it'd be $45 to pressurize the system to see leaks. I'm like, can't you start the car and "pressurize" the system?) and he said it's the water pump. $655. I never even considered letting them do it anyway. But the funny thing is that I think I see little puddles overnight on the ground right near the edge of the right splash guard, leading me to think the radiator could be leaking onto the splash guard and the coolant hitting the ground just behind it. I'll know for sure when I get someone I trust to check in detail. Meanwhile, I'll just fill it the next time my temp goes above normal.