Mysterious Coolant Fluid Loss

[nano31]

1997 Corolla CE110 (Diesel) Facelifted, Automatic Transmission.

The car had it radiator replaced 3months back due to leaking fluids and was replaced with used but very good condition one and I got it checked professionally by pressuring it up with water and installed and by far it works okay; no over heating, no coolant level reduction.

But I have noticed nearly 10ml of coolant under my car early in the morning soon after starting up the engine (before starting the floor is completely dry). This happen only once or twice per week and no apparent reduction of the coolant level noticed. It was from the side of the engine where all those pully are attched (Side Engine Cover/ the T belt side).

I checked several times with vehicle parked and engine running at hight RPM, after long journey, etc but then it was not leaking. This only happen early morning (engine not heated up well) soon after the starting up not there after but no apparent reduction of fluid level over few weeks even after journey in to the hill country. Unfortunately I have no chance to check when I was under the car and some one starting it up for me!!

It is definitely not from the radiator as the leaking spot is some what far away.

My problem is why this only happen when the engine is cool not when it is hot!!!

Is there any possibility of it is from the water pump (it is at T belt area?) if so why it aint leaking when it is hot where leaks are prone to happen when hot.

"It is just like the engine coughing out some coolant in the morning!!!"

Edited August 13, 2011 by nano31

[nexus]

check your radiator drain plug it may be because of that.

[nano31]

@ nexus, Nope my friend, It aint from the radiator. Leaking spot is away from that and atleast no chance of tracking the fluid via the plastic covers.

[jdnet]

Get your water pump checked. A bad water seal could cause the same symptoms.

Edited August 13, 2011 by jdnet

[nano31]

@ jdnet, Yeah, I should but my problem is why it is happening when the engine cool or not when the engine is running or when it is hot?

[harshansenadhir]

The water pump has to be replaced, this is the typical symptom to indicate the water pump bearing too is worn out on these engines.

Since it also works as a guide pulley for the t-belt, it can be trivial if not replaced.

[nano31]

@ harshansenadhir, Thanks for the quick reply.

Just for my clarification, Is the water pump/pump's pully inside the engine side cover? Is it better to replace with recon/used one or is there anyway of repairing by replacing the bearing?

[harshansenadhir]

@ harshansenadhir, Thanks for the quick reply.

Just for my clarification, Is the water pump/pump's pully inside the engine side cover? Is it better to replace with recon/used one or is there anyway of repairing by replacing the bearing?

It's inside the t belt cover and t belt removal is required to replace. Usually this is replaced with new ones and no repairing possible as the bearing is sealed. If t belt require replacing or it's closer by, wise to replace that as well

[nano31]

I too now realize it is from water pump. Since it is from the water pump area and it is just cold leak only.

Though it aint leaking every day only once or rarely twice per month, since it is related to T belt I think it should be replaced asap & otherwise it would cost me an arm and leg!!!

T belt was repaced less than 8000km (at 159000km by the previous owner and it was mentioned in the maintain book with all bills and all and I have confirmed it ) back so I think I might reuse it aint it?

Have you got any idea about the price of recon/used water pump?

[riddle]

i had the same issue,nothing to worry!its just a cheap repair!

just check the tubes which goes from the radiator to the engine and the other tube outlets.check it your self.there must be some sort of evidence of dry coolant!this problem should occur if the tube openings are not sealed well,

you can do it at home but you Better go to a garage,tell them the issue,,most garages have this kind of glue which are made for radiator tubes,probably white/grey in colour.drain the coolant remove all tubes,apply the glue at the opening of all tubes and fix them back.do it for all tube openings in-case of future,it would cost you 150rs to 250 max!

[nano31]

@riddle,

Thanks for reply.

But the leaking spot is quite unusual to be from a tube but I too hope it would be from a tube lol!!!

U too had the same car? leaking from the same area? only in the morning?

Edited August 13, 2011 by nano31

[nano31]

[http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/99/59491206.jpg/]

[http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/716/17052574.jpg/]

[http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/840/70924413.jpg/]

"I was not that lucky"

It is from the water pump; as u can see it the photo's I have uploaded (Taken today it self during my diagnosis process, just see that white marking, u can see green coloured fluid).

Luckly it starts leaking fluid after 2 weeks. So I will be replacing the water pump during the next week.

Lesson here to learn is that; if cold stage coolant leak ever noticed the number one is to exclude any water pump problem.

Edited August 13, 2011 by nano31

[nano31]

Just gotta know that the pump is available at reputed automobile spare parts shop and the price said to be Rs/7000~10000/=.

Have u all got any info about the good brands?

[harshansenadhir]

I too now realize it is from water pump. Since it is from the water pump area and it is just cold leak only.

Though it aint leaking every day only once or rarely twice per month, since it is related to T belt I think it should be replaced asap & otherwise it would cost me an arm and leg!!!

T belt was repaced less than 8000km (at 159000km by the previous owner and it was mentioned in the maintain book with all bills and all and I have confirmed it ) back so I think I might reuse it aint it?

Have you got any idea about the price of recon/used water pump?

Dude, dont ever use recon/ used water pump as you don't know how long it will last and blades of the fan are corroded. Further you will have the burden of opening t belt cover again and in some models, for an example 1C engine, the diesel pump securing bolts too fixed to the water pump housing.

You should be able to soure a new one aroun 2800 to 4000 depending on the brand. Try to find a GMB if possible.

[harshansenadhir]

Just gotta know that the pump is available at reputed automobile spare parts shop and the price said to be Rs/7000~10000/=.

Have u all got any info about the good brands?

This is too much I recon. Max it should 5k beyond, is ripping you off.

[nano31]

2C engine also same; the fuel pump attached to the water pump

[jdnet]

2C engine also same; the fuel pump attached to the water pump

dude why are heck are you repping yourself?

[nano31]

@jdnet>

Nope I just call my mechanic and he told me that the fuel pump too attached to the water pump!

[riddle]

Almost the same car imo,i had a 95 AE110!coolant leaks only in the morning!

[nano31]

@ riddle,

But this is definitely not from any tubes, as u may see in the photos it is leaking from the side engine cover closer to one of the mail pully.

Today morning I noticed quite big leak because car was not used more than 24hrs (Since Friday evening)!!!

One thing is to clarify is that the car YOM is 1997 Oct and odo is 165,000km (it is compatible with all the maintain records) and Y it is leaking so quickly!! I also having CR27 (Lotto) YOM 235,000km yet not any signs of any fluid leakng!

My mechanic also told me that it is quite unusual to have a leaking water pump in a 1997/98 car!!

Edited August 14, 2011 by nano31

[nano31]

ok..finally.

A guy at a auto spare shop told me that original GMB one would cost around Rs 5550/=. He added that there is fake ("local"/Chinese??) GMB is available too and that also is being sold around more or less the same price tag (they can make a big profit). And there is a brand called MP4/or MPV im not sure of the exact name!

[nano31]

GMB is around Rs5500/= but there is fake GMB too avilable.

Another brand called MP4 or MPV (something I can not remember) is avilable.

So what would be the best one other than original one from Toyota Lanka (Which I am not gonna buy)

[aamarakoon]

1997 Corolla CE110 (Diesel) Facelifted, Automatic Transmission.

The car had it radiator replaced 3months back due to leaking fluids and was replaced with used but very good condition one and I got it checked professionally by pressuring it up with water and installed and by far it works okay; no over heating, no coolant level reduction.

But I have noticed nearly 10ml of coolant under my car early in the morning soon after starting up the engine (before starting the floor is completely dry). This happen only once or twice per week and no apparent reduction of the coolant level noticed. It was from the side of the engine where all those pully are attched (Side Engine Cover/ the T belt side).

I checked several times with vehicle parked and engine running at hight RPM, after long journey, etc but then it was not leaking. This only happen early morning (engine not heated up well) soon after the starting up not there after but no apparent reduction of fluid level over few weeks even after journey in to the hill country. Unfortunately I have no chance to check when I was under the car and some one starting it up for me!!

It is definitely not from the radiator as the leaking spot is some what far away.

My problem is why this only happen when the engine is cool not when it is hot!!!

Is there any possibility of it is from the water pump (it is at T belt area?) if so why it aint leaking when it is hot where leaks are prone to happen when hot.

"It is just like the engine coughing out some coolant in the morning!!!"

My car had the same problem sometime ago. It was the radiator drain plug. Just tightened it a bit & end of the problem.

Just for info.