Walked out to a huge puddle of antifreeze this morning

[giuliot60]

So what do you think?

I just walked out of my house to take my daughter to school. (She graduates from preschool today)

What do I see? A huge puddle of antifreeze under the Spider. Now it's been raining for a couple of days, so the car hasn't been driven for a couple of days. The timing belt/water pump, radiator hoses, and heater valve have all been recently replaced.

What would cause or be responsible for all this anti freeze to leak out?

I won't be able to address anything until after the graduation ceremonies of course

Thanks!

[narfire]

The first of a few grad ceremonies eh... at least you don't have to worry about the vodka spiked punch until ceremonies later in life.. Going to be a wonderful journey..

Have you checked the level in the rad? Just wondering if it is a bad joke in someone putting a bit of anti freeze under the car... Not a good one as dogs and cats love the stuff. I suppose the clamps should be checked. The screw clamps can strip and won't tighten as well as they should.
Run the car, get it hot and have a look. Shut the engine off after it is hot and see what happens as well.

[azruss]

If it is a huge amount, there should be tracks under the hood. follow the green drips and see where it leads you. large amounts usually come from a busted hose.

[RRoller123]

I have heard of raccoons chewing through the hoses, not kidding. A real problem in this area.

Pete

[giuliot60]

Thanks guys.

So we just got back from the graduation ceremony. Most of the antifreeze has already disappeared. Just a little wet spot.



But once I opened the hood, I knew where it came from.





Now I just have to figure out if it's the hose or the overflow container. (and if there's any evidence of rodent activity Although most of the antifreeze is gone, there's still an inch or so left in the container, which makes me think it's not the hose.

Update to follow.

[81SPIDERMATT]

mark has a cool metal one for about 75 bucks.... my original sprung a leak.... tried to fix it... i failed .... glad you found it...

[TX82FIAT]

On the bright side! If you are going to have a coolant leak the expansion tank is the best place for it. Looks like you still have some coolant in the tank so it most likely did not suck air back in the system as it cooled. You can buy various shapes and sizes including the original replacement or a cool aluminum one. If you go with anything outside of those designed for the spider I would give some consideration to the heat generated by your exhaust manifold.

[giuliot60]

Thanks 81 & 82.

That's what I'm hoping is the case. I didn't have a chance to confirm my hypothesis but it seems the likely culprit. The funny thing is that I didn't drive the car for a couple of days, so why this morning. It wasn't like it was sitting in the blazing sun either. And the leak wasn't there the night before. Could it build up pressure like that without the car running?

There is always the possibility that it isn't related to the tank, I guess.

I'll try to find out tomorrow. And won't start shopping for a tank until I know for sure.

Stay tuned.

[81SPIDERMATT]

isnt the heater valve in that area... or the pipes leading to it..... maybe bumped the tank and the bottom was getting ready to crack... that is where mine failed ... around the nipple at the bottom ... i think it became hardened or weekend do to heat from the header that was missing the heat shield

[giuliot60]

So the mystery leak has been easily solved. Thanks for all the input. It was the coolant tank hose that split an inch or two below the reservoir tank. Engine coolant level looks like it wasn't effected.



Now, where do I get a new hose? My hose appears to be flared at the end by the tank, and from what I've read it is supposed to that way. So is it a custom hose, or can something be adapted?

[fiat218]

Heat I and lube the inside with something,it should go on, that's what I do, but that's me

[giuliot60]

Well, I just bought some 3/8" fuel vapor hose by Gates. The guy at O'Reilly's said it should handle hot antifreeze. Thoughts?

I'll try that 218.

[TX82FIAT]

I'm not sure about the use of fuel hose. Fuel hose is designed for petroleum products and some pressure. You typically do not see fuel hose near high heat areas. A coolant hose is designed for the heat areas and to withstand the ethylene glycol in the coolant. I would think this is only a temporary solution. The proper size coolant hose can be picked up at any autoparts store. if it were my car I'd just put the proper coolant hose on and call it a day.

[giuliot60]

You're right TX82. I just called Gates and the tech person said absolutely do not use the fuel vapor hose for coolant. Th proper Gates part # is 28409 Safety Stripe heater hose. Good thing I didn't run the car with it, although I did spent a few minutes this morning installing it. I'll call it practice.

I'll be giving O'Rielly a call as soon as I post this.