Car is bleeding bad (coolant, need advise fast)

[SHO power]

Today,

As I pulled into work I noticed the right wheel was smoking. Upon further inspection I noticed that I was smelling anti-freeze. I saw a puddle as it just poured out. When I popped the hood, I could not see where it was coming from. On the left side of the engine, just below the top pulley there was alot of fresh fluid. Is there a main hose or return there? My reserve tank is now bone dry, and my coolant light is on. Also, my temp gauge reads extremely high only two minutes after the car has been started (ice cold) but blows ice when the heat is on 90. After about 10 minutes, the temp rapidly falls and heat pours into the car. (smell of antifreeze is strong, as well as a nice coating on the windshield) Since I am getting heat, and the leak seems to be up infront and right behind the wheel, I am ruling out the heater core. No wetness on the pass carpet either. Is my thermostat toast now? This is potential very harmful to the motor and any quick input would be much appreciated.

Thanks,

-Tom

 

[haydenm315]

I believe that top pulley you're describing is connected to the water pump. The lower radiator hose plugs into the bottom of the water pump. If the temp falls and heat pours into the car, you're probably really low on coolant and there's air in the system from it "pouring out". Hopefully a hose just blew up. I'd jack it up and look under the front part of the engine where the pullies are at the lower hose. Make sure you fill both the radiator and overflow up with something.

 

[SHO power]

Will do today.... thanks

 

[AutoSHO]

Don't keep driving the car!

Sounds like at the very least it needs a new coolant hose. It may have blow a seal out of the water pump.

Has the water pump been replaced? 60k done on the car?

 

[SHO power]

It's the water pump.. Not the full 60K, this will be completed in the very near future. I was hoping it wasn't this, but it's now ten years old and I expected nothing less. FYI, the car is running amazing though dispite this issue. I am happy now, I can only imagine how pleased I will be as soon as the rest of the work is complete!

 

[jspec23]

If the water pump needs replacement it is fairly easy to do it yourself. I got a remanufactured waterpump for $65 at a local NAPA supplier. It took me about two hours to replace it.