Leaking coolant

[aussie_will]

Hello gents,

I'm having a hard time trying to find and fix a coolant leak on my first gen, TT GTO.

I get a puddle of coolant directly underneath the transmission, and I can see quite a bit of coolant pooling on top of the transmission. Where is this most likely coming from?

I've just had most of my intake piping out to swap in a new BOV, y-pipe and radiator. Was hoping to find an obvious leak in the process. I'll probably need to take my car out for another run and rip it all apart again while it's still hot.
I'm guessing it's one of the coolant lines from the waterneck to either the heater core or turbos.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Will.

Edit: added pics - you can barely see the green pools of coolant sitting on the tranny.

[OhioSpyderman]

Will,

There's a coolant line that runs parallel to the fuel line that feeds the rear turbo (this is coming from my son, Zachary).

This might be a good place to start your search...

Bob.

EDIT....I'm also looking through the CD manual to see if there are any more coolant lines in that area...

[OhioSpyderman]

Here's a shot from the manual showing all the coolants lines.

Hope this helps....

Bob.

[aussie_will]

Originally Posted by OhioSpyderman

Will,

There's a coolant line that runs parallel to the fuel line that feeds the rear turbo (this is coming from my son, Zachary).

This might be a good place to start your search...

Bob.

EDIT....I'm also looking through the CD manual to see if there are any more coolant lines in that area...

Thanks Bob,

Hmmm, bugger, yes I was hoping it not to be one of the turbo coolant lines.
I'll have to poke around a bit more under the hood this week.

Cheers,

Will.

[gltasn]

could be comming out your overflow? thats where is exits if your are overheating or have something inside amiss. i had a leak i couldnt find for hours. and it was the cooling line to the throttle body. the 1mm slit was hid by a foam heatshield over the hose. j sin

[lawdogg]

If the water neck was out at all recently, that o-ring is super sensitive to being sliced, and will leak in that exact spot ...

[Hannibalzero]

I'd also look at the rear turbo lines first. Inspect them at the turbo, where the hard line inserts into the rubber hose (half way), and at the nipple on the water housing.

If the rear turbo lines are good, look at the throttle body lines. This should be the easiest to notice any leakage. Under the throttlebody, you'll also find the heater hose. These are larger and shoul be clamped on. Inspect the areas near the clamps for any cracking/leaking. If all the lines are good, then check for seapage around the water housing.



Lawdogg is right about the O-ring. Also, there are two paper gaskets on either side of the water housing. I am not aware of those having a tendency to leak, but it may be worth a look if the hoses are okay.

[massstealth]

Make sure your coolant reserve transfer hose isnt slit like mine was. Big pita to find if your not looking for the leak there.

[VR4-mike]

I think we have the same leak my friends. mine accumulates in the same place yours does. I found it to be comming out of the bottom of the thermostat housing where the metal tube connects to it (the tube that runs under the intake manifold and to the water pump) . the little o rings can leak easliy.

[aussie_will]

Originally Posted by Hannibalzero

I'd also look at the rear turbo lines first. Inspect them at the turbo, where the hard line inserts into the rubber hose (half way), and at the nipple on the water housing.

If the rear turbo lines are good, look at the throttle body lines. This should be the easiest to notice any leakage. Under the throttlebody, you'll also find the heater hose. These are larger and shoul be clamped on. Inspect the areas near the clamps for any cracking/leaking. If all the lines are good, then check for seapage around the water housing.

Lawdogg is right about the O-ring. Also, there are two paper gaskets on either side of the water housing. I am not aware of those having a tendency to leak, but it may be worth a look if the hoses are okay.

Originally Posted by VR4-mike

I think we have the same leak my friends. mine accumulates in the same place yours does. I found it to be comming out of the bottom of the thermostat housing where the metal tube connects to it (the tube that runs under the intake manifold and to the water pump) . the little o rings can leak easliy.

Thanks for all the responses guys. I still haven't had time to look into it properly yet - maybe this weekend. I'm pretty sure it's the turbo coolant hoses/clips. I'll look into the o-rings as well. Not going to do a half-arsed job this time. I'll remove most of that piping again and take a proper look around the waterneck area.
All the hoses that are *easily accessible* have been checked and are leak free. It's the ones at the hard to reach spots that I haven't checked. And it looks like it's one of those that are leaking. I'll post pics when I track it down.