Coolant leak

[ChameleonGreen]

I have a coolant leak somewhere under the hood. I can fix it myself when i've got the time, but I havn't had a chance to get under there and see what's wrong with it. My problem is, the antifreeze burns up on something, and I think it's coming in through my defroster vent and getting crap all over my windsheild.

So, technically speaking, could coolant be getting burned under my hood, sucked in through the ac air intake, and the residue be coming out of my vents? It's not very bad, like when my mom's heater core leaked, but it's like the same on a smaller scale.

[Cruzin]

It could be possible. Usually the residue on the inside of your windshield is from all the plastic parts in the car. The plastic puts off some type of residue that usually collects on the inside of the windows. It is why your windows fog up eaisly. Usually a pain to get off also. But to answer you question yes I suppose it is possible.

[Jerriko]

Hate to say it but it sounds like your heater core is starting to go. But some questions:

-Does it have the smell of antifreeze?
-Do you have any damp carpeting under the dash?
-Does the engine run hotter than normal?
-Do you notice the problem only when the engine is hot or when the car is running?

I have worked on vehicles where the heater core leaked and the antifreeze pooled on the plastic cover for the heater core producing the undesired effects.
Hope that helps,
Jim

[ChameleonGreen]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Jerriko:
-Does it have the smell of antifreeze?
-Do you have any damp carpeting under the dash?
-Does the engine run hotter than normal?
-Do you notice the problem only when the engine is hot or when the car is running?
<hr></blockquote>

- I only notice a burnt antifreeze smell outside the car.
- It runs hotter for breif moments, but only at
idle. After I get moving again it cools down.
- I have not noticed any damp carpet.
- The windshield fogging only happens on rainy days. The heating problem happens randomly. It happened on my way to work tonight. It seems to happen only really when I push the engine hard.

I do however know there is a leak, and it is most likely under the hood. When I did my oil change I noticed fresh fluid on the underside of the large metal piece that blocks all the steering linkage from road damage. The one that runs between the front wheels and would crush your head if somehow the car fell during an oil change. Now that I think of it, it could have also been transmission or brake fluid, but I won't know until I get a chance to get under the car.