I've had a coolant leak for a few months now, I've been working in SC and only home for a few days at a time, I could see the dried up coolant at the front of the engine but when I cleaned it up it was such a small leak that I couldn't locate it during my time at home.

So as I was heading back for the 4th I ordered a new thermostat and hose assembly from Nalleys. (Great service from Dan)

As I was pilling it apart it looked like the leak was coming where the small hose from the expansion tank connects into the plastic manifold,



I started to think I had shelled out on the assembly when it was only a 3/8 hose leaking, then as I was working the part out the stub caught on something and whole piece popped off. It didn't take much force.




So looks like I found the leak, there was no sign of any drips after two days. I'm just glad it didn't pop while my wife was driving.

Anyway it's something to check if you find a mystery leak in that area.

I'd advise picking a cooler day if you can.

 

Glad you found the leak, and thanks for the tip....

120 degrees, huh? I assume that's in Phoenix. I'd have to either buy myself a walk-in freezer to live in, or put a bullet through my head. No way could I ever handle that kind of heat....

 

Good job, kudos to you because coolant leaks can be pain in back to diagnose

 

I was in Phoenix on a day like that once. Unbelievable, like a blast furnace. Evaporative misters everywhere outdoors in the shopping areas. It really does work but not in South Carolina because the air is already saturated.

They use way too much plastic in the cooling systems these days. What a PITA.

 

Nice write up Norri!

Thanks for the info.

 

Thanks. Great info.

I noticed a similar issue on ours. There is a stain on the intake from coolant and the odor. Turned out both hoses connected to the TB were seeping. These are metal and I'm guessing some corrosion formed. I wiggled the hoses around and relocated the clamps for now. If I do a coolant flush, I'll do a more thorough inspection/repair.

 

Mine broke in the same spot a couple days ago. I don't think it was leaking much, but I noticed some seepage and residue around that fitting. Wiggled it and it broke right off. It looks almost like that piece was glued in to begin with.

What did the part cost? I'm looking at the parts list and it looks like there's two versions, early ('00-'02?) and late ('03+). XR826065 and XR849445.

I don't get why the rubber hoses and the plastic pipe are sold as one unit with those permanently crimped-on clamps on the hoses.

In the interim, I tapped the hole for a 3/8" NPT 5/16" barbed fitting. Seems to be holding so far, but I don't trust it completely.

And I'm not too thrilled that the replacement part (if it's the same design) will also probably fail in the same manner.

 

The whole assy, was $160 delivered.

It is the same set up, but if it lasts another 7 years I'll be happy.

 

Hey norri, did the $160 also include the thermostat housing/assembly? My local dealership only shows XR854920, which is the upper hose assembly plus the thermostat assembly for $250.

The part numbers I listed in my previous reply were for just the upper hose assembly, which appears to have been superseded by the new part # and assembly.

 

Yes, the thermostat and housing were included. Part No is as you state XR854920.

 

norri - what year are you driving? My wife's '06 had the "low coolant" indicator come on a week ago. I topped it off and it came back on today. I noticed a little seapage when I topped it.

 

Click his name to see his profile - 2003.

 

Noob. Thanks.

 

Did you check the expansion tank? That's the usual suspect.

 

Yeah norri, shouldn't it be in your signature?????