mesinajosh

iTrader: (1)

So i'll just start off by saying that I have an 05 with 115k miles I had just gotten done driving to and from school and work which was roughly 30 miles. No overheating durring the drive. The minute I got home and pulled into the driveway I had gotten a coolant leak, when I turned off the car, the fan stayed on for about 10 minutes or so like the manual said. I noticed no significant scrapes under the car. The hoses look intact from what is visable (i removed the front bumper) the fluid only leaks when the car was running. I was wondering what i should do next. Tomorrow i was going to pull the splash guard so i can get a better view.

alnielsen

iTrader: (4)

Put a piece(s) of news paper or cardboard under the engine compartment to locate where the leak is and look above it to find what is leaking.

dannobre

iTrader: (3)

Check the nipple on the rad that goes to the overflow bottle. It it's plastic and is usually the first failure point in an old cooling system

laz74

iTrader: (1)

While you're in there, make sure to extend the coolant overflow hose to below the Power Steering electrical connectors that are located above the radiator.

Last week, my coolant was leaking out the overflow on those connectors, shorted the them, and ended in Power Steering loss...

mesinajosh

iTrader: (1)

I checked the overflow tube when it happened and it was dry. But what 'Could' the issue be if i find no cracks in any hoses? If my thermostat was bad. Could that cause this?

dannobre

iTrader: (3)

Thermostat can cause an overheat...but not a leak unless it boils out the overflow.

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

You haven't yet said how you know you have a coolant leak? Was there a puddle on the ground? I get the feeling that you learned about it while you were still in the car, suggesting that you had gotten a coolant level warning light. Is this accurate?

mesinajosh

iTrader: (1)

No I saw the puddle of coolant under my car and I actually just learned that it did in fact come out of the over flow tube. And from further inspection. The fan closest to the passenger side was restricted by a rubber grommet from the air box. So I removed it and the fan flowed freely by hand. I turn the car and waited for a while. And I noticed only the driver side fan was blowing and not the passenger still. What do I do next?

mesinajosh

iTrader: (1)

I know the fans arent always on. But when they did come on, only the driver's side fan worked.

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

They don't trigger together, they have different trigger conditions.

Turn on the AC and turn up the HVAC fan speed, then check.

mesinajosh

iTrader: (1)

That makes sense but another thing. The coolant came out of the overflow again. After a couple mins of haveing the car on. And as far and coolant. Do i use a 50/50 blend of coolant and distilled water like normal or what?

mesinajosh

iTrader: (1)

I am very happy for all of your guys help. I really feel like this forum is the best group of car owners out there. Thank you for all of the help.

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

You may be running into the same problem that I had over a year ago, that I only solved by replacing the radiator, thermostat, coolant bottle, cap, and radiator lines. Read through my troubleshooting thread here: https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-tro...eating-236766/

Note: Don't start panicking about a coolant seal failure in the engine like I was in that thread. The engine is still fine over a year later with good oil analysis test results from the current owner. I don't know exactly what was causing the problem, but replacing everything solved it. At your mileage, you probably need to replace everything anyway.

mesinajosh

iTrader: (1)

So i thought i might have fixed the problem. And i added more coolant. It will drive a couple of miles the when I pull up to stop in my drive way (and no sooner) the coolant temp will slowly go up and the engine starts to steam. I think the steam is from the coolant evaporating. And by the way the coolant did come out of the overflow (which i relocated with a longer tube.) And the low coolant level light comes on and off during the drive.

laz74

iTrader: (1)

Don't completely ignore the "Low Coolant" light until you have a handle on your coolant issue...but my coolant level sensor failed long ago, and the Low Coolant lights has turned on and off intermittently ever since. I've learned to ignore it, as I would have to purchase a brand new coolant overflow tank ($$$) to fix the sensor, since it's built into the tank.

niteshade247

Ok can't believe no one has said this. Sounds like your cap is shot try replacing it. Very cheap place to start. 2 I have noticed on my 8 it over flows if it is full and stops once it's about half full then the level never gets lower. But I did see you said the temp started going up is that up from normal op temp or up from cold?

mesinajosh

iTrader: (1)

It went up past nomal op temp. The highest recorded temp was 118°c

niteshade247

Cold be bad cap or thermostat. I noticed you said the fan is kicking on too mine has only kicked in two times sense I've had it and it was over 100f out side I would change both the thermostat and cap as both are cheap if it fixes your problem save up to do all the rest and get it done as soon as you can.