Coolant lake hours later

[mijohnst]

I'm thinking my water pump is going out, but before I go through all the effort, I want some other opinions. While it's running, there's nothing leaking from the cooling system. A few hours later there's a puddle on the ground on the front part of the engine on the passenger side. Water pump? I've taken the skid plate off, and I don't really see you spot where it's coming out. It is antifreeze though. What are y'all thoughts?

 

[mijohnst]

And I see the typo in the subject. It's not really a lake under the car, more like a small pond.

 

[drakon543]

could be a waterpump they have a weep hole that might not leak when the pump is spinning. it could also be something else due to expansion and contraction with the heat.

 

[Tonyrodz]

Have you checked your lower hose's connections to the radiator and water pump? Look REAL close at the weep hole and surrounding area. Sounds like a water pump to me too.

 

[Doubeleive]

get under it with a flashlight and look up, could be radiator, radiator hoses, heater hoses, coolant reservoir. heater hose "T"s, one heater hose has a Y those can crack also.
to see under the water pump you have to get at the right angle or use a mirror. other suspects (less likely) is the crossover steam pipe or intake cooler line if equipped.

 

[Bill 1960]

If it’s a shy leak, wrap a dry paper towel around suspect locations or just below, right after you shut it down hot and it sits and heat soaks. Come back later and see who’s got a wet diaper.

I also use a radiator pressure tester at times, but some leaks are related to thermal expansion of parts and they won’t show up under other temperatures.

 

[Doubeleive]

or put some cardboard under the engine area, check it later and look up from the wet spot

 

[Fless]

While it's running the leaked fluid may be blowing off or drying, so it may appear to be leaking only after shutting down.

 

[AN292]

I had a water pump leak that I never really pinpointed exactly where it was coming from. I just knew it was the pump, could be whats happening here. It helps to remove your upper fan shroud and air intake to get a really good look.

Also, the leak on the ground could be from the fluid running along a bunch of other stuff before it hits the ground, not a very accurate way to pinpoint the exact source of the leak.

 

[treehan77]

Borrowed a pressure tester from advance auto for free when I suspected the lake under mine was water pump. Yep, it streamed together out under pressure, like fire hose