AUaviator

Started having a slow leak when car was running about 4 months ago but not enough to produce more than 10 or so drops on the ground when I parked. Since I drove the car 3 hours to my new residence, the leak is dramatically larger draining about 1/2 to 3/4 gallon in a week just sitting there not even trying to start. I have traced it to what looks like the head gasket area on the passenger side next to the exhaust port of cylinder 4. I have never seen a head gasket leak coolant externally before so is this really a head gasket failure or is this more likely me not tracing back far enough and maybe leaking around the back side of the motor from the intake side? Any specific lines/fittings I should be looking out for?

02 with 180k miles
1 year ownership
Never overheated during my ownership.

AUaviator

jyeung528

you could try to test the coolant system for combustion gasses through the radiator cap hole. let us know what you find out.

AUaviator

Went to Oriellys yesterday and rented a test, came back good. So I guess not a head gasket. I'm leaning more towards a manifold leak or line from the water outlet on the drivers side of the engine seeping its way around the back of the block.

jyeung528

i've had an intake manifold leak and you can see the coolant on the drivers side on the intake manifold

Alcon

Reviving this. I have the same issue, literally. 2001 s2k with 180k miles. What was the solution? Where was the leak?

jyeung528

you could try to test the coolant system for combustion gasses through the radiator cap hole. let us know what you find out.

jyeung528

i'm sure the solution was to locate the leak and replace the part. glhf

S2K632

Reviving this thread. My son drove the S2K and noticed steam coming out of the front of the car. It had 4 bars on the gauge so he drove for a mile or 2 more then stopped the car. I went to check no oil in the radiator and no water in the oil. We started the car and added water while it was running so the head would not warp or distort. I noticed that the coolant was coming out of the radiator fill hole like ti was burping and spilling out. So we added more water and after a while I decided to drive the car home for about 4 miles. The water temp gauge was at 3 bars all the way home, when I got home there was steam coming out of the radiator. I also did not know at that point that these cars required a coolant bleed just like the BMW's etc.

I just ordered a new radiator now I am worried about a head gasket leak. Is the burping of coolant a result of a blown head gasket or because there is air in the cooling system? Thanks,

windhund116

I'd do a pressure test or one of these color-metric tests of the coolant system. Looking for exhaust gases passing into the coolant.