Coolant Leak problem...questions...

[Philboy38]

Hey Guys,

So I'm coming off the freeway yesteday with my fuel gauge at 1/2 tank. As I slow off the exit ramp, the gauge needle goes down very fast to under the empty line and even past the "E". It's almost pointing straight down. It dances up and down and it's back to just under half a tank by the time I get home (no idea what's up with that). I end up leaving about thirty minutes later to spend the night at my girlfriends house. I don't move it for 24 hours. I go to leave today and most of my coolant has leaked onto her driveway. Now, when I first bought the car the first week of February, I had problems starting the car when cold, and it started leaking small amounts of coolant after that. I got the car tuned up and haven't had a problem with it since - until today. The mechanic (when I got the tuneup) said that the coolant leak problem could be a water pump problem, and that replacing that would be mega $$$...I don't have that kind of $$$...I'm getting married soon, after all. Has anyone run into this problem, or know what to do to fix it?

As always...thanks for your time and help.

Phil

[NismoChi]

Go to a shop that have the tool to do a coolant system pressure test to find out exactually where the coolant is leaking from, water pump is only a possibility, it could also be a cheap fix like a radiator hose.

[Philboy38]

Thanks, Nismo...I'll check that out.

[cesoj]

I was stuck in traffic two weeks ago and my M30 was overheating so I pulled over. I assumed that I lost my coolant and yes I did . Have you ever noticed water leaks under eengine beyond normal. Not just AC condensation??? This was my first clue..... The second thing is to find the leak Maybe clean the engine with degreaser and start the car. My leak appears only when I am idling for along time and notice it leaks when I stop the engine. The leak was near the pump and under the cover. I bought the pump at Autozone brand new and had my local mechanic replace it. I also changed my timing belt since it is located in the same area....You can replace it yourself but you will have to remove readiator housing. fan, all the belts, and timing belt covers. It took my mechanic about five hours to do with the timing belt. The pump cost me about 54 dollars lifetime warranty the labor was about 80 bucks...

Good luck

I love my M30