ok Im using a bit of coolant. ocasionally I'll see it on the ground. it appears to be coming from the back of the engine compartment closer to the passenger side. I can smell it when the car is sitting and idling or right after I turn it off. once I get under the hood after I turn it off I can no longer smell it or I can't pinpoint where its coming from.

what could this be coming from? I think the only things back there are the coolant crossover tube on the back of the heads or the head gasket. I sure as hell hope it isn't a head gasket.

next issue:
power steering works sometimes and then it doesn't. it works when its the engine is cold and it works when the rpms are up. if im just idling or coasting it doesn't work. would this be a problem with the pump itself or what? seems to me logically it would be the pump but I don't want to go and buy an expensive pump if thats not the problem.


im getting really tired of fighting this car it seems with every thing I correct 2-3 more things pop up that need to be addressed!

 

I would check the weep hole on your water pump. I thought I was having P/S pump problems until I noticed some coolant on the ground. Sure enough, it was dripping from the water pump. I am hoping that there is enough oil and grease coating my Opti to protect it.

 

The weep hole of the waterpump is right above the crank pulley. Dripping onto the crank pulley/accessory belt causes the belt to slip making your powering steering (belt driven pump) work intermittently.

 

I would say this is the problem.

 

Both heater hoses are routed on the passenger side of the engine to the fire wall and connect to your heater core. Hard to see them. I'd check those connections first...

 

hmm, thanks for the opinions. I didn't think about the water pump because its relatively new. it went out about 2 years ago and it was a constant STREAM coming out of it. this isn't nearly to that extent.

I guess the best thing I can do is crawl under there and start snooping around!

 

I just crawled under the car and found that the weep hole in the water pump is fine. the whole front of the engine is dry. I noticed a spot of antifreeze on the ground near the rear of the engine. the starter has some coolant on it. I seriously doubt it has anthing to do with the heater lines so its either coolant crossover or head gasket.

if its head gasket thats it. I am tearing this car apart and selling everything

 

How's your oil look? I would think more towards that damn crossover tube than I would the heads. Good luck working on it with the heads on...

 

Dude you cant check for wp leakage by just looking at it. Jack the car up and turn it on. Then check for leaks thats how I found my wp leak.

 

I know you have to have the car running to check the weep hole, Ive already been through the water pump crusades.

well as always the things that give me a big scare turn out to be small.

the knock sensor was loose. coolant was seeping out, moving back, and accumulating on the starter.

took that out, put some thread sealant on it, and put it back in. I don't think theres a leak any more since I haven't driven it a whole lot since.

needless to say I am VERY relieved that it is not the head gasket or anything that is a pain to reach.

I guess that leaves the power steering problem now.