I can't seem to track down the source of a coolant leak that has developed lately.

Every time when I first start the car, warm or cold, I smell coolant for the first little while I am driving - especially with the window open.

I've put on new intake manifold gaskets, the bolts are snugged right, I can't see any leaks anywhere under the hood, and I'm not getting any dampness inside (heater core).

I've only lost about 1/2 litre of coolant (at most) in since this started weeks ago so It's not really causing me any probs, but its bugging the hell outta me.

Any ideas where else to look???

This is on my 86 carbed EA82.

thanx

I'm having the same problem, and I'm thinking its the intake manifold gaskets, which have 2,000 on them and have been re-checked for proper torque. Or maybee its that hose that goes from my thermostat housing to the intake manifold. I hate cooling problems.

i dunno much about the ea82 but my ea81 is leaking arround the coolent crossover hoses. they have an od of about 10mm. i only noticed the leak after i cleaned out all the hoses when i put the holley on. They go from back of t-stat housing to the block. Under the carbi there is one that goes from the inlet manifold to the pipe where the heater core gets its coolent. They leak cause there steel barbs and they start rust and expand the hose.

I've had problems with the thermostat housing gasket. Check that because it will leak onto the head, which heats up, causing the smell as well as making the coolant disappear.

 

Another mysterious one I had recently turned out to be one of the heater hoses where it attaches to the firewall. It was leaking and running down the firewall, and the leak got really bad before I could figure out where it was coming from.

 

Another bit of advice. If you keep having problems with coolant leaks, don't overlook the radiator cap. If it's not venting properly, allowing too much pressure to build up, leaks will start from all kinds of places.

No chance it's the rad itself and it's just a small leak that's evaporating off?

It's been a while since you did the actual work is it not? Just making sure that you are ruling out coolant that may have been spilled in the process and some air in the system taking coolant from the expansion tank. I would guess it's some pinhole leak in one of the hoses... maybe the same one that you just changed on the turbo wagon. The hose in the white loyale had 3 holes before I could actually find it and the coolant wasn't just burning off instantly. It might take some time, but I'm sure you are bound to find it. I am guessing you will be looking for leaks tomorrow... haven't moved yet have you??

Hey phishy----Soob hoses seem unique in that they just don't rupture and leak alot. While the engines hot, twist and poke at all the coolant hoses. The hidden rupture will ususally leak a little more then. I'd first check those small hoses under the a/c compressor. roy:D

all good ideas.

 

we'll see who's right this weekend when I tear into it:drunk:

Get it fixed??

looks like i was a little late on posting on this but check that little cooling hose that runs into about the bottom of the carb, ive had that 1 leaking wice on me now. its the one that comes from the back of the intake and curls over and attaches about to the carb