2000 QX4 Coolant Leak

[Mikey178]

Just thought I'd share this experience with you guys which happened over the weekend. Not sure what the issue is or where the leak is comming from either.

Cold day on Saturday in Ontario, I believe it was -10C and a wind chill on top of that. None the less, started the QX4 drove out of the driveway and as Im making a right turn from a stop sign the steering gets all stiff on me, I can only make a 3/4 turn on the steering before it locks or doesn't want to go more, I make a wide right turn, hear some loud squealing noise from the belts and sense something is wrong so I pull over and after about a minute decide to drive back home (2 blocks away) but put it in drive and it doesn't want to go either.

Decided to check under my vehicle and to my surprise the QX4 is leaking coolant and its created a puddle. No CEL or sign of overheating from the temp gauge, looking under the hood shows no signs or wet spots that are visible of a leak. Wait about 5 minutes, turn the vehicle on and try to drive and it moves, so I crawl it home and garage it. Verified that coolant is indeed the fluid leaking, topped up the coolant bottle and try running the engine again and the same thing with coolant leaking.

My Theory:Coolant leak, maybe from water pump (uncle who is mechanic suggests) has a leak which caused coolant to fall on the power steering belt, which in return caused the belt to slip which caused the steering to feel stiff when turning and the squealing to occur.

At this point Im not certain of the cause, except for my theory above. I did plan on doing the timing belt in the summer, but as this issue has come up I opted to go ahead with it now. Im at 156,000KM, its recommended at 160,000km. I've got my uncle who will do the job for $150 and I'll supply the parts totalling approx. $400. While doing the timing belt, he will also try to identify the source of the coolant leak if not the water pump.

For now Im bumming rides with my fiancee and for some strange reason I feel depressed, lol

[Pwnin O'Brien]

When you start and run the vehicle in the garage (revving it up for a little to build pressure in the cooling system) do you see where the coolant is dripping from?

[Mikey178]

Can't see the leak from under the hood, but looking under the vehicle its dripping the coolant slowly.

Too cold to get tools out and get under the vehicle to do a through examination now. (Under better weather conditions, I would have already done that, but I don't have heat in my garage). I'm getting it towed from my house to my uncle's shop tommorow. I should have the truck back by wednesday and hopefully everything is fixed.

[Mikey178]

Great success!!!

Had it towed to to Canadian Tire, my uncle made a deal with a guy that works there. He charged $150 for labour and I watched him do the whole timing belt in 4 hours.

All in all, the truck is healthy again and my wallet still has some money, lol.

Total cost for entire job = $600 CAN ($450 parts + $150 labour)

Timing belt, water pump, cam seals, crank seal, tensioner, thermostat, alternator belt, power steering belt, ac belt and coolant flush.

[exvin]

Great success!!!

Had it towed to to Canadian Tire, my uncle made a deal with a guy that works there. He charged $150 for labour and I watched him do the whole timing belt in 4 hours.

All in all, the truck is healthy again and my wallet still has some money, lol.

Total cost for entire job = $600 CAN ($450 parts + $150 labour)

Timing belt, water pump, cam seals, crank seal, tensioner, thermostat, alternator belt, power steering belt, ac belt and coolant flush.

Mikey, whats the mileage on your Q? I am also thinking of doing my own timing belt and water pump this coming summer...I have right now, a bit over 150000 Kms

[Mikey178]

I have 163,000km. Did mine about the right time for the timing belt. Truck does feel a little more responsive and has a bit of a kick too.

Glad my issue was fixed.

Exvin, if you need someone to do the timing belt for you, I got this guy that did mine for $150 labour and you provide the parts. In Brampton, if you interested let me know and I'll get in contact with him.