BIG Leak

[Greg French]

Driving home yesterday (93LWB) I noticed it was steering hard, like there was no PS fluid. Then, the coolant level low light came on. I pulled into a parking lot to check. There was coolant everywhere. PS resivoir was full. Filled the bottle, and headed home, hoping for the best. Got almost home, and the light came on again. Temp gage never moved. Pulled into the driveway, and looked under.

There was a steady stream of coolant pouring out of the front of the engine. It looked as if it was the component under and between the alternator and distributor.

What is that? I think the water pump, but someone else suggested heat pump or something?
Why would either of those affect the steering?
Hopefully it is just a gasket. Is there anything else I should do while I have it off? (If it is a gasket)

Luckilly, I have the next 2 weeks off, and just got my Xmas check. I haven't had time to investigate it all the way.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Ian95rrc]

By the location you described that would be the water pump. Does it make a screaching noise when you turn off the ingnition? I believe they also tend to leak from a weep hole in the water pump. You may just have a bad hose though. I think the steering problem is most likely unrelated to your coolant problem.

 

[sven]

Maybe the steering got harder because the belt was slipping from the coolant leak?

 

[Greg French]

Thought of the belt slipping. There was a lot of fluid in the area. I will know more when I clean the mud off and investigate.

 

[RKORES]

Look at your two heater hoses that run in that area. One goes into the Water Pump and the other goes into the engine. Advance Auto actually list replacement hoses for those two.

Will

 

[Black Mustache]

sounds like a wp to me too. the gasket may be blown... if it is, your VC is probably out too, and so will your WP... or at least check it thouroghly. the whole front end works like dominos, it the vc goes (which it will, with time) then the bearings in the wp go, then the back pressure starts and the gasket blows... and if the hoses are megatron old, one will blow as well.

if it is the wp, change the hoses while you are in there, cuz they are a pita to get to.

 

[RangeRoverHP]

"Heat Pump" LOL
Who ever told you that...don't ask them anything again.

Could be the water pump, front cover, or as simple as a hose, loose clamp, etc.

Pressurize the system and see where it's coming from. That way you know how to proceed or know what to fix/replace.

The loss of power steering was probably the coolant on the belts and pulleys causing slipping. Also check or replace your coolant temp sensor. If you lost lots of coolant and the temp gauge didn't rise, it may be faulty. It's a common problem.

 

[Greg French]

Found it. It was a small slice in one of the hoses on the TOP of the engine. It was leaking fluid, which was sneaking down around the engine, and pourning in a steady stream from the water pump area.
Replaced the hose, and it is as good as ever.

Thanks