95 Northstart Leaking Coolant

Gatman · #1 (**permalink**) 07-15-05, 09:50 AM

I have a 95 SLS and when I started it on Monday, I got the check coolant level warning on my display. I added coolant and it went another 4 days prior to having the coolant level warning come on again.

I looked under the car and noticed I have a small drip (about 1 every 3 or 4 second) from the driver's side approximately the area under the water pump. I just changed the water pump approximately 1.5 years ago (and I changed the O ring too) I didnt' see any leakage from the top hoses. I just wondering how many areas underneath the engine in this area could possibly be leaking. Where should I look first?

As I look down into the engine compartment, I can see that the crossmember is wet but this was after driving it for approximately 30 minutes. I have monitored my engine temps while driving never getting above 210.

I would just like to know a good starting point and what type of pain I'm looking forward to in diagnosing/fixing this problem.

Thanks,
Matt Gatten

P.S. I am mechanical and I have done work on this car before.

zonie77 · #2 (**permalink**) 07-15-05, 02:19 PM

You have to find the leak by inspection. Do you have an inspection mirror (on an extension wand)?

mcowden · #3 (**permalink**) 07-15-05, 04:00 PM

After I replaced my water pump, I had another leak at the water pump cover. Stuff seems to crud up in the gasket groove pretty easily, so I scraped off the whole cover and sealing surface very well (and carefully), cleaned it up with clean rags, and replaced the gasket with a new one. No more leaks. Make sure you tighten the cover bolts to the recommended torque and in the recommended sequence. Other than that suggestion, I'm with zonie. A mirror and close physical inspection will probably show you exactly where it's leaking. You have to get under the car to look up at the bottom of the water pump housing.

raymondk · #4 (**permalink**) 07-15-05, 11:53 PM

There is a core plug at the end of the head beside the exhaust port on the driver end which is covered by the cross-over pipe. Mine has leaked for 2 years. The hole is in the core plug and it takes a mirror and a lot of looking to see. The cross-over pipe passes it with about 1/4 " clearance. To fix it the cross-over pipe must be removed. To remove the pipe, the engine, or transmission must be removed. I just added 2 bottles of Bars Leak. Hope yours is something else.