Coolant Leak

dts3 · 10-01-2019, 02:05 AM

I noticed over the past few days that I've been leaking coolant from beneath the passenger door section. The drips in the parking lot are almost exactly where water from the condenser would fall. I lifted the car and found where the coolant is dripping from. There is a small hole into the floor pan. Coolant is dripping from here. I don't know how to diagnose this because I can't find the original source of the leak. I've been conditioned to call coolant leaks in this location a heater core problem, but I don't smell coolant in the car even with the heat on full blast.

Here is the leak. I'm not sure if this hole is meant to be a drain hole for the condenser water drippings, but it's functioning fine as a coolant drain hole

. I had to remove an undershield to expose this.

That last picture is just to show how far back this leak location is

What's going on here?

jchammond · 10-01-2019, 03:59 AM

Remove 2-piece,top engine cover for a better view & put a pressure tester on coolant system.
Z has coolant lines that travel from one side to the other in rear,,,they run across from throttle body to throttle body & you can see where they connect into the main coolant log.
I’m thinking water pump is underneath L/H vvel up front.
I’d start with about 10psi & start looking,,,but don’t exceed what’s on cap.
Radiator cap is on plastic tank & flat cap on engine side.
Perform this cold & it should reveal itself.
I don’t advise adding any kinda stop leak, as this will cause future problems.
Good Luck & keep posted.
BTW; list year model of Z

Gray Goose · 10-01-2019, 09:35 AM

Sounds like the heater core to me. It would drain at the same area as the evaporator.

SouthArk370Z · 10-01-2019, 12:13 PM

Are you sure it's antifreeze and not water? Antifreeze will have an oily feel when you rub it between your fingers.

Ghostvette · 10-01-2019, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SouthArk370Z

Are you sure it's antifreeze and not water? Antifreeze will have an oily feel when you rub it between your fingers.

Based on location, this is condensation off of the AC. It's probably clear, anti-freeze will be colored and smell sweet, along with being oily like SouthArk said.

dts3 · 10-01-2019, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ghostvette

Based on location, this is condensation off of the AC. It's probably clear, anti-freeze will be colored and smell sweet, along with being oily like SouthArk said.

I have confirmed with four of my five senses that it's coolant (no, that's not a typo

). A white napkin shows that it's our "super-duper special blue coolant"

That's why it took me so long to notice; I assumed that it was the condensate from the AC, until I noticed that it wasn't evaporating (although it appears to be coming from the exact same spot)

dts3 · 10-01-2019, 02:32 PM

This is on s 2017 w/ 22k miles

SouthArk370Z · 10-01-2019, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dts3

I have confirmed with four of my five senses that it's coolant (no, that's not a typo

). A white napkin shows that it's our "super-duper special blue coolant" ...

Had to ask.

If it's coming from inside the cabin (eg, the heater core), the carpet and/or padding will be wet. If dry inside, I suspect the leak is in the engine compartment.

Spooler · 10-01-2019, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SouthArk370Z

If dry inside, I suspect the leak is in the engine compartment.

Yeap, it is running down the frame rail I would suspect. Pressure test it and you will find the leak. Also, make sure it is not blue windshield washer fluid.

nis350 · 10-01-2019, 11:17 PM

inspect the inlet and outlet of the heater core hoses. They are near passenger side rear valve cover area.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dts3

I have confirmed with four of my five senses that it's coolant (no, that's not a typo

). A white napkin shows that it's our "super-duper special blue coolant"

That's why it took me so long to notice; I assumed that it was the condensate from the AC, until I noticed that it wasn't evaporating (although it appears to be coming from the exact same spot)

husam2012 · 10-01-2019, 11:41 PM

I can probably find that leak if you are in the area

Most likely to be from the heater hose but it's very odd that it's leaking at that mileage.
Check your PM !

jchammond · 10-02-2019, 03:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dts3

This is on s 2017 w/ 22k miles

Warranty Baby

As much as I hate taking anything to the dealership, standard 5yr/60k on powertrain

dts3 · 10-02-2019, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jchammond

Warranty Baby

As much as I hate taking anything to the dealership, standard 5yr/60k on powertrain

Yeah. I've been trying to avoid that. I'm going to take Husam up on his offer because he's (literally) less than 10 minutes away from me. Hopefully we can bang this out

Spooler · 10-02-2019, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dts3

Yeah. I've been trying to avoid that. I'm going to take Husam up on his offer because he's (literally) less than 10 minutes away from me. Hopefully we can bang this out

Forget that, make them fix it. That is what warranty is for. Bumper to Bumper 3yr/36k miles.

Rusty · 10-03-2019, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spooler

Forget that, make them fix it. That is what warranty is for. Bumper to Bumper 3yr/36k miles.

If you get in there to fix it and screw something else up. Then take it in to fix it under warranty. You maybe screwed. Just take it in to begin with.

10-01-2019, 02:05 AM	#1 (permalink)
dts3 Track Member Join Date: May 2018 Location: Farmington Hills, MI Posts: 599 Drives: 08 Expedition Rep Power: 6765	Coolant Leak I noticed over the past few days that I've been leaking coolant from beneath the passenger door section. The drips in the parking lot are almost exactly where water from the condenser would fall. I lifted the car and found where the coolant is dripping from. There is a small hole into the floor pan. Coolant is dripping from here. I don't know how to diagnose this because I can't find the original source of the leak. I've been conditioned to call coolant leaks in this location a heater core problem, but I don't smell coolant in the car even with the heat on full blast. Here is the leak. I'm not sure if this hole is meant to be a drain hole for the condenser water drippings, but it's functioning fine as a coolant drain hole . I had to remove an undershield to expose this. That last picture is just to show how far back this leak location is What's going on here?

10-01-2019, 03:59 AM	#2 (permalink)
jchammond A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Carolina Age: 58 Posts: 15,204 Drives: 13’ 370Z TS 7A/T Rep Power: 2684395	Remove 2-piece,top engine cover for a better view & put a pressure tester on coolant system. Z has coolant lines that travel from one side to the other in rear,,,they run across from throttle body to throttle body & you can see where they connect into the main coolant log. I’m thinking water pump is underneath L/H vvel up front. I’d start with about 10psi & start looking,,,but don’t exceed what’s on cap. Radiator cap is on plastic tank & flat cap on engine side. Perform this cold & it should reveal itself. I don’t advise adding any kinda stop leak, as this will cause future problems. Good Luck & keep posted. BTW; list year model of Z Ghostvette, sx moneypit and Asus_ like this. __________________ MazWorx built long block \| FI-TT-100 Stage 2.75 \| IPT built 7A/T http://www.the370z.com/members-370z-...s-musings.html

10-01-2019, 12:13 PM	#4 (permalink)
SouthArk370Z Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 8,435 Drives: 2014 Challenger Rep Power: 324198	Are you sure it's antifreeze and not water? Antifreeze will have an oily feel when you rub it between your fingers. __________________ Steering Lock Links - Search The370Z Bookmarklet - FSM @ NICOclub Mankind has progressed past the need for war but we haven't evolved that far. - NachoMahma

10-01-2019, 02:32 PM	#7 (permalink)
dts3 Track Member Join Date: May 2018 Location: Farmington Hills, MI Posts: 599 Drives: 08 Expedition Rep Power: 6765	This is on s 2017 w/ 22k miles jchammond likes this.

10-01-2019, 11:41 PM	#11 (permalink)
husam2012 Track Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Michigan Posts: 551 Drives: 370Z Nismo Rep Power: 9469	I can probably find that leak if you are in the area Most likely to be from the heater hose but it's very odd that it's leaking at that mileage. Check your PM ! jchammond, StormWhite and dts3 like this. __________________ Creator of the GTR TT Conversion Kit, NA Record Holder (401WHP) Ecutek Master Tuner (VQ37, VR30, VR38, B58, S55, S58) BTWTuning

10-01-2019, 09:35 AM	#3 (permalink)
Gray Goose Base Member Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: LA Posts: 169 Drives: 2012 370Z Nismo #227 Rep Power: 6	Sounds like the heater core to me. It would drain at the same area as the evaporator.

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