Smoke/steam coming from hood

[Cl-Slick]

On my way to school today I noticed some smoke/steam coming from the driver's side crack where the hood meets the fender. I had my a/c on vent and started smelling the smell that you would smell when a heater is first turned on in the winter. Shortly after my low coolant light came on so I parked it. I'm guessing a coolant leak, but I can't seem to find it.

 

[Art5]

check for leaks by firewall, could be heater hose. Also can notice leak at the back of the engine on the ground while the car is running.

 

[zblackbeast]

Also check one of the coolant hoses going to/around the throttle body. Those are always over looked when replacing coolant hoses and dry adn crack and cause leaks. They are also the hardest to find. See if anything is building up on your tranny in puddles!

 

[frosho]

^What he said. It's probably one of the lines going to/from the throttle body or IAC heater block.

 

[Cl-Slick]

Thanks guys! I'll check it out & report back!

 

[Cl-Slick]

Big puddle of coolant on the tranny. Looks like I'll be tracking down and fixing the leak tomorrow! Thanks again for the help everyone!

 

[zblackbeast]

Sweet.. Its most likely one of those.. Pesky little bastards too.. Those are my least favorite hoses to replace.

 

[Cl-Slick]

Found the leak, it's in a PITA spot to get to, so I'm hoping you guys will have some tips to make this easier. The white circle, maybe hard to see, but that's the hose that is leaking (the one with the metal fitting). Here are the pics:

 

[frosho]

Read this thread - http://www.shoforum.com/showthread.php?t=78334

That line isn't available new, but posts 6-8 in that thread explain how to fix the one you have.

 

[Cl-Slick]

Read this thread - http://www.shoforum.com/showthread.php?t=78334

That line isn't available new, but posts 6-8 in that thread explain how to fix the one you have.

Ok, so I need to remove the hose from the block and at the little metal crimp on the hard line, and replace it with the hose shown in the posted thread? The problem I am having right now is getting the hose off the block. The hose clamp is positioned to where I cannot get a screwdriver or socket on it. could I just pull it off with vice grips?

 

[frosho]

Ok, so I need to remove the hose from the block and at the little metal crimp on the hard line, and replace it with the hose shown in the posted thread?

Yup. Just be careful not to damage the pipe underneath the crimp.

The problem I am having right now is getting the hose off the block. The hose clamp is positioned to where I cannot get a screwdriver or socket on it. could I just pull it off with vice grips?

It's gonna be tough to remove unless the clamp is loosened somehow. If you want, you could cut it with a Dremel or something and then remove the hose. You'll obviously need a new hose clamp if you decide to do that, but you'll need a new one for the other end anyway.

 

[shocar]

That is a PIA to get at. You can try and get to it better by taking off the MAF and the trottle linkage and pulling every thing back out of your way using zip ties . Worst case is you will have to take it to a radiator shop and have them do it. Should not cost much. If the car needs the top end maintance done ie if you have oil in the plug wells then you need new plugs, cam seals, plug wires and gaskets, you might want to just do that now as if you take the intake completely off, you can get to the hoses a lot easier.

 

[Cl-Slick]

Got the hose off and a nice puddle of coolant in the garage ha ha! Well now for my next question, do I need to take that entire assembly out to fix the problem (hard lines, sensor, hoses to fire wall)? I highly doubt my hacksaw is going to fit in that tiny little space I could barely fit my hand in.

 

[St Louis SHO]

no, just replace the small piece of hose. 3/4"

 

[Cl-Slick]

no, just replace the small piece of hose. 3/4"

Do I slip it over the metal crimp or cut it off?

 

[St Louis SHO]

cut it off

 

[Cl-Slick]

cut it off

Thanks man! Any special method, or just saw that ***** off?

 

[St Louis SHO]

cut it in half, IE cut one side then the other, then peel it off.

 

[Cl-Slick]

Well, it's still not off! I've broken two hack saw blades and not there yet! I honestly don't know what to do at this point.

 

[zblackbeast]

Keeeep goin! welcome to owning a SHO.. It makes the most simple of tasks more complicated then open heart surgery... well almost.