Skip to main content
Gerry | Vanagon
Checking account...
← vanagon.com home · Continue the discussion in the forum
Subject:Re: 2.1 puked coolant near oil filter when hot
From:Ken Wilford
Date:Tue, 6 Apr 2010 07:39:44 -0400

I concur with Dennis.  It sounds like a water pump starting to leak to
me.  They can be intermittent some times.  You need to get this checked
out and repaired very soon as the pump can lock up and fry your engine
in less than a couple of minutes.  Let me know if you need any parts.

Ken Wilford
John 3:16
www.vanagain.com

Edward Maglott wrote:
> I had driven for maybe 100 miles this morning, the last 20 or so on
> the interstate.  I stopped at a rest area.  I usually let the engine
> idle at least a minute in that situation because  I know it hates
> that hard running then engine shut off scenario.  Well, I was in  a
> hurry and shut off the engine.  I looked underneath to check for the
> leaking ATF situation I've been having and to my horror there was
> coolant dripping/running off of the oil filter and the oil
> cooler.  It was probably a few ounces total.  I came back from the
> restroom and set about finding what was up.  Looked from the top and
> saw nothing.  Crawled under with flashlight and still could not see
> anything in the way of a source of the leak.  started the engine and
> revved it bit-  still nothing.  Coolant level was fine in both tanks
> and the hose between them was secure.  I thought I heard what might
> be water pump noise, but didn't take the belt off to check for play
> in the shaft.
>
> Drove the rest of the way (about 160 miles of interstate, including a
> mtn climb) home with eagle eye on the gauge and light and frequent
> stops to check for leaks.  Nothing.  I'm guessing that the temp
> spiked when I didn't let it idle after the highway running and maybe
> had a pressure spike.  What in the area above the oil cooler and
> filter might cause this intermittent leak?  The weird part is that
> after that one time it didn't continue leaking.
>
> Edward
>