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Got a 2000 caravan 3.3 v6 176,000 ish miles
For the last year or so ive had a slow coolant leak which appeared to come from behind the water pump and since i was planning on selling it (not my problem right??) a bottle of leak stop put the issue on the back shelf so to speak and i just got used to filling the overflow bottle back up once a month well unfortunately uncle sam wasnt so generous this year so we decided to keep it another year (MY PROBLEM NOW HUH)That being said today i was checking fluids and toppin things off so i filled the coolant bottle to the max mark and closed the hood
And went in the house… a few hours later the wife came out to go to the grocery store AND THERE IS THE RIVER NILE UNDER MY VAN
THE OVER FLOW BOTTLE IS EMPTY AND AFTER A 5 MINUTE DRIVE TO THE STORE AND BACK THE VAN IS NOW OVERHEATING
so before i go aimlessly searching for a leak any ideas??????
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You state:
” ive had a slow coolant leak which appeared to come from behind the water pump…”
Suggest you start your search there.
Also:
” AND THERE IS THE RIVER NILE UNDER MY VAN ”
So it shouldn’t be too difficult to locate the problem area.Without knowing the route of the lines, it’s safe to assume that a rubber hose connector has B. rotted/dried, or A. a clip(s) has detached. Pour a few cups of distilled water through the radiator cap (not reservoir) then check under the car to find the drip. Hopefully it’s not the pipes.
The most common leak is the hoses for rear heat. They can leak under the chassis, but also behind the engine. If it’s the latter, you will need to remove the intake manifold to gain access.
Never use stop leak!
It uses sodium silicate (powdered glass) to combine with the antifreeze and plug up holes around,the plastic side tanks in the radiator. If your leak is ever in a head gasket, it will get into the cylinder walls and trash them within a few minutes of driving, making the engine non rebuildable.
Its also the same stuff they used.to permanently destroy engines in the cash for clunkers program.
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