Coolant Leak (With Pics)

[fujack19]

I have had my 1987 Vanagon Camper for 3 weeks now, and have been noticing a small puddle on the drive way about the size of a silver dollar after I start the van. I can see where the drops are coming from, but I cant see much after that. Has anyone had drops coming from here, and if so what could be the cause? I had the coolant flushed when I bought it, and the mechanic said everything was good. Is it normal to just have to keep an eye, and refill every so often? Thank you.

[IoWesty]

It's either the port side water jacket seal, the pipe that runs from the water pump tot he thermostat housing, or one of the hoses around the oil cooler.

[SCM]

No one here can do anything more than guess. You need to get a good flashlight and spend some time searching. Start up top and look at every single part of the coolant system until you find the leak.

I think the oil cooler would be too far forward for the coolant to be dripping from behind your engine mount bar. It may be as simple as the expansion tank or any of the connections going to it.
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[Steve M.]

Double check the small hose running from the coolant tank down to the expansion tank. People sometimes leave the clamps loose to remove the blue cap and it can leak from there.
As been said we're just guessing!
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[fujack19]

I appreciate the guesses because that all I can do, but with less knowledge! I will take a look in more detail to find the source. A lose connection may be the culprit with such a little amount dripping. My headlights went out on me last night to so now I have to get to the bottom of that. Haha! I guess that is what I signed up for.

[Robw_z]

It appears to be dripping from the heat shield, which I would consider good news as that's probably not coming from the engine. The expansion tank is mounted atop that shield, so I'd suspect the tank itself, a bad pressure cap, or one of the hoses running to it.

-Rob

[fujack19]

I'm a real novice, and I am in the process of going through the manual, but is the expansion tank to the left of the tank you can see when you take the license plate down? Also, since I have the post up, I have a small transmission leak, and I checked the level and it was at the 2nd dot down on the stick. Is that still good? Sorry, just trying to figure this beast out.

[bluebus86]

[Steve M.]

[WillSharp]

I would guess the housing around the thermostat going into the water pump. I had a similar leek for a while. Fixing it with a subaru engine.

[Syncronoid]

I had a similar leak in the far back of the engine. Expansion tank had cracked and was leaking. Easy fix. Hope you're as fortunate.
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[Wildthings]

What VW calls the expansion tank is the pressurized tank to the far left when you open the lid over the engine. The tank is susceptible to splitting from age and pressure and the top of the coolant level probe can break off. The replacement plastic tanks are of poor quality material and may cause you grief if you go with them so should be avoided. Instead there are metal aftermarket tanks available through many vendors which are a step up from the OEM design and let you use a more common and less troublesome pressure cap design.

The refill/overflow tank is the one behind the license plate.

[Steve M.]

[r39o]

[fujack19]

OK, I followed the flow, and found it was dripping from a hose connected to the expansion tank. It seems to be just a slow dripping leak so do you think it is just the connection? Maybe a new clamp?

[fujack19]

[danfromsyr]

you (as the new owner and solo person on the hook) should duley inspect the bulk head fuel line.
a few items there aren't always changed in a 'full fuel line R&R'
the nylon bulkhead fitting should be replaced with a more durable material,
the short length of rubber line on the back side of the bulkhead fitting that secures to the nylon supply line.. I've seen these so old that the oe pinch clamps are rusted thru.

do not take the word of receipts or previous owners.. it's your van now and 5 mins to verify will save you alot of potential grief.

good luck.

[r39o]

Yes, do replace the bulk head fuel fitting. There are options. Easiest is just a new long hose and skip the fitting....

As for your leak, if it was me, I would opt for a new tank and replace any soft hoses. Use nice stainless band clamps that do not bite the hose too.

Using a new stainless band clamp may do it, but those tanks have a limited lifespan.

The FAQ should tell you all of the above in far more detail too.
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[Wildthings]

One of the problems with these rigs is that the pressure cap can fail and not release pressure when it should, this will cause leaks to occur all over the place and bust things like the expansion tank, the coolant manifold and is likely a factor in the ends of the coolant pipes coming off.

If the expansion/pressure tank is in need of replacement, then by all means fork over the money for a metal tank.

You also should verify what kind of fuel hose was used when the hose was replaced. There are lots of shops out there that have yet to learn that the old standard fuel hoses, 30r6 and 30r7, should not be used with either FI or alcohol laced fuel.

[r39o]