Notices
Series I Trouble Shooting This is the place to learn more about or discuss any issues you're having with your RX-8

Coolant Leak

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old 03-26-2011, 02:56 AM
  #1  
Registered
Thread Starter
iTrader: (15)
 
Twiztog43's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Las Vegas
Posts: 1,052
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Exclamation Coolant Leak

so a couple days ago my Low Coolant Light came on, and thinking it was just the sensor i ignored it, and it would sometimes go away. [i have already had the whole assembly replaced when i was under warranty.] yesterday i decide to check the coolant level and it was low, so i pour a bit more coolant to fill up to the full line thinking everything was okay.

but today when i was cleaning the car after a storm that just passed, i moved the car to see a small puddle on the floor. i take a peak into the bumper grill towards the radiator and under-tray and it is soaked with coolant.

now i HAVE SEARCHED, knowing that the stock radiator does have its problems such as corrosion, cracking and leaks here... [GRACEXEL]


but i checked my radiator, and i see no evidence of any cracking or leaking in that area.


what i do notice though is that it is leaking toward the front of the radiator towards the top, right above the MS intake filter [left and right side]

what could it be? i have SEARCHED and from what i found is that it could be a leak somewhere in the radiator, or a leak from the hoses. but what i dont understand is how this can happen so suddenly, or what could have caused it.
here are some of the quick pics i have taken.

Name:  IMG_0115.jpg
Views: 138
Size:  71.5 KB
Name:  IMG_0116.jpg
Views: 164
Size:  45.7 KB
Old 03-26-2011, 04:21 AM
  #2  
Charles Bundy
iTrader: (5)
 
Grace_Excel's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Sherman Oaks, CA
Posts: 2,395
Received 7 Likes on 5 Posts
Try taking out the battery and its box without removing the coolant reservoir. It's should allow you to check if your leak is the same as mine. Below is the OEM Radiator, if the leak is coming from the top; it could be from the reservoir, a loose hose, or a break at that 'said' nipple on top of the radiator.

Old 03-27-2011, 11:43 AM
  #3  
Toyota Master Technician
iTrader: (24)
 
Junirol's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: San Diego
Posts: 429
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Looking at the first picture on top, looks like the plastic little nipple for the coolant reservoir cracked/imploded. Mine looked like that when it cracked, lol I was looking at my engine after I turned it off after testing my new water pump. And "..POP.." coolant all over my engine bay and garage. I removed the old radiator and looked at the corrosion that built up on the plastic parts, they were soft as chocolate i'm glad it blew up in my garage not in the streets. Bought a BHR radiator end of problems hopefully.
Old 03-27-2011, 11:31 PM
  #4  
Registered
Thread Starter
iTrader: (15)
 
Twiztog43's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Las Vegas
Posts: 1,052
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
damn, i thought you were going to give me another explanation. my radiator nipple looks fine. but still is leaking somewhere else.
Old 05-29-2011, 11:49 AM
  #5  
Registered
iTrader: (1)
 
m3pkrobert's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: woodbridge va
Posts: 284
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
hey im having the same problem, did you found the leak?
Old 05-29-2011, 01:14 PM
  #6  
Registered
Thread Starter
iTrader: (15)
 
Twiztog43's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Las Vegas
Posts: 1,052
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
yup, turns out it was the same place everyone said theirs happened. its the nipple on the oem radiator that had a crack. but i didnt see it because it was on the underside. only when we took it out it was noticeable. but when we took the hose out, the nipple just started cracking and eventually fell off. i guess over the years it just becomes really brittle.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Azki23
New Member Forum
12
06-27-2018 03:48 PM
DG07
New Member Forum
3
09-28-2015 10:58 AM
drlubell
RX-8's For Sale/Wanted
0
09-26-2015 11:58 PM
Rx8_412
Series I Trouble Shooting
9
09-24-2015 08:51 PM
Draken
RX-8 Discussion
4
09-21-2015 06:14 PM



You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.

Quick Reply: Coolant Leak



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:19 AM.