It's just a drip right now, but what hoses should I look to be replacing back there? It's dripping from almost the dead center of the engine bay behind the engine. Thanks 
Coolant leak on back of engine
- Thread starter TwistedD85
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There are two heater core hoses and eight (count 'em) transitions, not to mention the bung for the ECT sensor. Lots of opportunities for leaks.
Is there a good picture or diagram of the hoses in this area? And think I could get away with using straight/bulk hose instead of molded ones?
I would not recommend straight ones - they need to offset toward the center of the car about 5-6" and there is very little distance to do that, so I think you need the molded ones. plus, iirc one of the hoses is a different size on one end than the other.
I used bulk hose and standard hose clamps on my 1990. Worked fine.
Guess I'll feel around and see just who's leaking, it's really tough to see back there with the rat's nest of wires on top of it all.
Does the ATX have the same basic cooling system as the MTX, aside from the radiator and fans?
Good news is unless it's a leak that only leaks when the car's running it's not the heater hoses, their bottoms are bone dry. All the hoses beneath the throttle body are dry, as is the tranny housing under them. Bad news is I can't really figure out where it's coming from, other than the two big hoses coming out of the firewall and the small ones beneath the throttle body I'm not sure what I'm looking for. It's such a mess with wire looms and what might be hoses, but I can't tell.
shoray
SHO Member
I'll soon be replacing all of mine and the water pump just for the peace of mind. It's started leaking from enough places that aren't easy to get to. The pipe assembly is actually pretty cheap on rock auto. I also had a water pump leak that I only found during a rod bearing job. It dripped off the crank pulley. I'd have never found it
it could be a leak that only happens when the coolant system is pressurized - a small leak would of course show up then before it would show up when the engine is off.
here's the thing to do: feel for the leaking coolant when the car is hot and just shut off. (I know that's no fun, but...) My red 94 started losing coolant. I would have to fill the overflow tank every few weeks, but there was never a wet spot under the car. Then one day by chance I opened the hood while the engine was hot, and saw the top radiator hose was leaking just a little at the thermostat end. It would drip down onto the top of the trans, and evaporate so that whenever I looked at the engine cold there was nothing there. so yours could be leaking just enough to cause a spot on the driveway, but the hoses could appear dry once cold.
here's the thing to do: feel for the leaking coolant when the car is hot and just shut off. (I know that's no fun, but...) My red 94 started losing coolant. I would have to fill the overflow tank every few weeks, but there was never a wet spot under the car. Then one day by chance I opened the hood while the engine was hot, and saw the top radiator hose was leaking just a little at the thermostat end. It would drip down onto the top of the trans, and evaporate so that whenever I looked at the engine cold there was nothing there. so yours could be leaking just enough to cause a spot on the driveway, but the hoses could appear dry once cold.
Alright, took it out for a spin and I saw some coolant dripping off the bottom of pipe there in the middle of the pic, the one with the rubber end and a clamp. Was thinking that was the leak, it doesn't look too hot, but unless the coolant wicked up the wire loom it's also wet, the darker part. Having a hard time tracing it up any higher, hoping it's not something like a head gasket. Gonna have to put it up on the ramps and take a look from underneath, maybe I can see more.
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That is a common location for the hose to leak and it looks like that is the original hose. I had those fail twice on me. Look at this link to see what hose to use to fix it. Be careful to just cut through the aluminum clamp only and not through the pipe underneath. The tube has a slight ridge to ensure a seal when you put a new hose clamp back on.
http://www.shoforum.com/index.php?threads/what-part-did-you-use-to-replace-this-heater-hose.78334/
http://www.shoforum.com/index.php?threads/what-part-did-you-use-to-replace-this-heater-hose.78334/
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Checked it today and the hose leaked as soon as the engine was turned on, gave it some throttle and it bulged and leaked a good bit more. Can I remove it from the car and work on it outside of it? What can I use to cut through the aluminum? I don't really have much besides a hacksaw and it's really big.
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I removed it and I think I used a hack saw as well to cut through the clamp. It is not very thick. I think others have used a dremel. The only thing it is a little difficult is to get the bolt threaded back into the bracket without somebody helping you. I think others have done it while it is still installed in the car. I went under the car to get it installed again.
Since you will be draining the coolant anyway, you might think about replacing the two hoses to the heater core if they are still the original ones
Since you will be draining the coolant anyway, you might think about replacing the two hoses to the heater core if they are still the original ones
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I know I should, but they look much better than that hose, but if I have the hose I'll give it a try. Just sucks I broke the radiator petcock last time I worked on it, not a fan of trying to pull off the lower radiator hose. I'm gonna try and do it in the car if I can, I really really don't wanna try and pull it out and thread it back in by myself.
The previous link I posted was for an MTX car. I looked at my 94 ATX (which I haven't had to fix that hose yet) but it should be the same. I guess you can measure it after you cut if off. I found another post that looks like the hose used for your situation is shown on the left side. Try reading through his post as it is specifically for an ATX car. It looks like Chad fixed it on his nephews car but it didn't say if it was an ATX car.
If you decide to remove it, you can barely see the mounting tab on the back side. I've seen cars where they didn't bother to mount it or cut the mount off. The bracket looks lower than on an MTX car so it might be easier to reinstall.
http://www.shoforum.com/index.php?t...cement-coolant-hoses-for-your-atx-pic.117165/
If you decide to remove it, you can barely see the mounting tab on the back side. I've seen cars where they didn't bother to mount it or cut the mount off. The bracket looks lower than on an MTX car so it might be easier to reinstall.
http://www.shoforum.com/index.php?t...cement-coolant-hoses-for-your-atx-pic.117165/
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Ohhh, so this is the other end of one of the heater hoses up top? I thought the ones up top just went right into the block and these were just something put there for that sensor. That might not end up being too hellish to remove and work on then! I don't understand why they bothered to make that end so special if the other end just looks to be push on and clamp up like any other. If I could 'like' your posts more than once I could, thanks for doing all of that leg work!
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