My car seems to have developed a coolant leak. The low coolant and check engine lights are now on and I occaisionally find a puddle of coolant in the driveway...I don't have a puddle every morning...

The puddles seem to be located under the center of the car, or just slightly off to the driver side. Passenger floorboard is dry and I can't see anything from above the car...haven't been under it yet, too cold.

Has anyone else had this same problem? Can you give me some pointers/tips?

Thanks!

 

It could be from anywhere. Best to just get under the car and look.

 

Check for leaks when the system is still pressurized (like just after you get it home). Once the pressure bleeds off, you won't as easily be able to tell.

 

The way I found out that I had a lower radiator hose leak was to completely clean all the hoses going from the radiator to the water pump. Once they are all completely clean be sure your fluid is topped off and then drive your car. My leak never happened while the car was running or still hot. So after you are done driving let it sit overnight or however long it takes to develop a puddle. Be sure you park somewhere that is clean so you know where the puddle is coming from. After this you can check for signs of dried water spatter or wet hoses. This is the way I found my lower radiator hose leak. I replaced the hose and no more leak.

 

Check the hole on the bottom of the water pump. That is where is leaks from if the pump is bad. That is probably the best place to start. If there is nothing there then it is probably a hose somewhere.

 

You can get a pressure tester, or borrow one from AZ and test your cooling system. It's quick and easy, check all the radiator and heater hoses, radiator, weep hole under the water pump, where the pump seals to the block, steam pipe to the back of the block. I've had several leaks, usually just pin sized holes in my radiator and heater hoses. Try to fix leaks quickly, as minimize moisture near the opti.

 

The plastic ends on radiators are known to crack, check those too.