Leaking coolant.

[DRIFTINGmy85]

I seem to be leaking coolant from under the thermostat housing. It's dripping onto the a/c compressor and then to the ground.
I haven't checked it to see exactly where it's coming out from.
I would estimate that maybe 1/4 cup of fluid over a night's period.
It doesn't leak every night though.
Any suggestions as to why it would be leaking?

Thanks

[Suprabee]

Ummm, your thermostat housing gasket.


Seriouly, it could be that or did you recently change the thermostat?

If so, a number of things can cause this:

1. over tightened housing bolts, (check to see if the housing is cracked around the bolts)

2. the housing might not have been seated properly

3. when cleaning off the old gasket, the aluminim surface night have been scratched or groved, thus leaving a small passage for coolant to drip out.

4. There is a small hose behind the housing that could be leaking

If you didn't change the thermostat, then I guess the gasket has just started to fail and seep coolant or the housing itself has cracked or the hose behind it is leaking ...or all three.
Rick

[2slow4you]

Either the housing or the notorious suicide hose under the intake manifold

[Rich64N]

I concur with the above - If it isn't the thermostat itself, it is the "Coolant Bypass Hose," better known as the Suicide Hose. A search on that term will display lots of info on it, maybe too much. It may just be loose at the thermostat connection which is the only easy fix regarding this hose.

Basically it runs from the rear of the thermostat housing, downward at a diagonal about six inches, then runs horizontally about 18" just under the air intake. Between the 2 hose clamps, it goes through a couple of hose supports. In other words, it is tough to see, and to replace (or even know it exists until it fails). If you pull the starter, you can get to the aft end of the hose from underneath.

[DRIFTINGmy85]

I did put in a thermostat recently. After inspecting the outside of the thermostat housing I noticed no gasket or silicone. I opened it up to discover no thermostat. This was just as I got my car running and finally started driving it daily, about 4-6 weeks ago.
I could have overtightened the bolts. I don't think it's grooved from scratches. I'll check that suicide hose and I'll report back soon.

Thanks!!

[SilverMk2]

It could also be the two small hose that run up to the ISC and TB.

[DRIFTINGmy85]

That might make more sense since I removed my throttle body to adjust my tps last week. I haven't checked it out yet though. Guess I need to get on it since the temp guage was about 1/8 to 1/4 higher than normal today. :ugh:

[ABUSEDDOG]

Maybe one of the two sensors? loose - broken