Charliejag

I have a coolant leak. The puddle forms about 6 inches behind and 4 inches right of the resevoir (if you are looking at the engine bay). I have determined it is not running off of something from the resevoir or the radiator to the puddle, it is dripping directly down. Has anybody had this issue?

My concern is that the block is cracked. Game over. I am hoping that there is another explanation. Any ideas?

BlackBIRDVQ

iTrader: (15)

When was the last coolant flush you have done ? How many miles on your car and how often was the coolant changed ?

Your water pump is leaking, all the ones I've done on VQs where due to lack of maintenance.

DAP

Water pumps have a weep hole that leak coolant when the bearing/seal is going bad.

2002 Maxima SE

iTrader: (3)

Could be one of the plastic expansion tanks. They go after 100k or so.

SoonerFan

iTrader: (5)

the water pump is internal (behind the timing chain cover) and rarely go bad.
its probably something simple like one of the hoses or connection.

from the location you mentioned...its most likely where the hose connects to the thermostat.

Charliejag

In my mind coolant flushes are basically a waste of money. The coolant has not been flushed or changed sine I owned the car (60k on). It now has 120k almost. I have added about 2 bottles of coolant in the last month or 2 because of the leak, so its probably had about a half a flush at least.

Is this something I cna diagnose/fix? Where are the expansion tanks? Where does the hose connect to the thoermostat? If I get under there is it obvious or is it crammed up in there somewhere?

SoonerFan

iTrader: (5)

coolant flushed ARE not a waste of time. the radiator on my 00 had to be changed because it was completely clogged because the prior owner didnt perform a flush. the dealership couldnt even clear it out with their power flusher. i disconnected the hosed and removed the lower drain plug. i poured water in the top and it came right back out. because it was so bad, the thermostat was completely stuck. basically, my complete cooling system was clogged.

you may have a clogged system. sounds like the thermostat is sticking because of all the buildup. it probably messed up the seal and is leaking.
the thermostat is on the passenger side...near the belts. you will see it because the radiator hose connects to it.

SoonerFan

iTrader: (5)

from the owners manual -
Engine Coolant - Replace after 60,000 miles or 48 months then replace every 30,000 miles or 24 months.

Love_00_Max

Are you kidding, where in the world did you learn this from ? All liquids in a vehicle need to be replaced sooner of later, that also includes coolant. My radiator shot at 100K and replaced it with higher capacity after market one.

Have you heard the word "Preventive Maintenance".