Mystery coolant leak

[Deezil]

I know the water pump is hiding in the middle of the timing belt bs, so how can you tell if its leaking? I have a coolant drip under the front of the rig but Im struggling figuring out where its coming from.

But it seems to have a drip on the front drivers bottom corner of the engine, everything is too tight to see exactly where from.

Do these leak when they go bad?

Thanks!

 

[mtbtim]

It could be several things. The lower radiator hose connects to an elbow that houses the thermostat. So, you could have a leak coming from the hose itself, the connection the hose makes to the elbow could be leaking or it's leaking where the elbow connects to the block.

From what I understand, there's coolant lines going to the engine oil cooler on the driver side behind the alternator. You could have a leak there.

You'd have to remove the timing cover to see if it's leaking from the water pump.

Wherever you see coolant forming a drip, look above that area and see if it's leaking down from a higher spot or coming right from where you see the drip. Maybe you could hook up a cooling system pressure tester and see if that makes the leak more prevalent so you can find it easier.

This one is supposedly a very good pressure tester recommended by many on this forum:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003V9L05G/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

 

[gamefreakgc]

The water pump will weep fluid before it dies. It'll be very obvious if you can remove the cover if that's the leak.

 

[ThorInc]

Do you have a block heater installed?

 

[nissanh]

Not in this model

Isn't there something called a weep hole that can be inspected without removing anything?

Since the water pump is inside the timing belt cover you cannot see it.

Here is what you can do.
When the engine is cold, remove the radiator cap and remove the top radiator hose clamp and move it towards the radiator.

Disconnect the spark plug wire mounts from the T-belt cover.

Remove the 10 mm bolts holding the timing belt cover and pull it forward to inspect inside. You can see the water pump. Use a mirror to see the bottom of the water pump.

Also insect the timing belt. If the water pump is leaking the timing belt is also coming to an end.

 

[Paperjam]

If you are having trouble seeing where it is leaking from exactly, Pressurize the system using a tester to 15-16psi, it should leak obviously then. You could look with it hot and the coolant cap on, just feel the hose for pressure first.

 

[animator]

Just pull the timing cover off and look at the areas around the water pump. If it's leaking, there may be some corrosion around the pump where it mounts to the engine. Coolant will also pool up below the water pump, just below the crank pulley.

At 170k, mine was leaking, but not enough to cause a drip on the pavement when parked.