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Fast coolant leak, "fluttering" sound after over heating
Topic Started: Oct 25 2013, 02:03 PM (990 Views)
SeldomSeenSlim
Fresh Fish
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Hello Metro forums!
Been lurking for a while after I bought my 1994 1 liter metro in May, but signed up because of a problem that happened this week. Loving my metro, but just Wednesday had my first major issue, a sizable coolant leak and possible damage due to overheating. I was coming up a hill when I started to hear what I can only describe as an unnerving fluttering sound from the engine. I took it slow up the hill when my temperature gauge skyrocketed. I pulled off to let it cool down and found I was completely out of coolant. I refilled (had a gallon of 50/50 in the car) and limped home with the car trying to over heat. I replaced the coolant (again) and checked the oil (which was a bit low, but not out of the range of normal operation), and ran the car in park where I identified coolant leaking from the black pan which subtends the engine. I inspected the pan and found 1 bolt missing and another bolt very loose; it was my thought that these missing and loose bolts were the source of the coolant leak. I replaced and tightened these bolts and ran the car again, but the leak continues. I checked all the hoses and it doesn't appear that they nor the radiator itself are the source of the leak. The leak only persists when the car is running. Thought right now is maybe water pump? Perhaps the seal around the black tank below the engine?
I'm afraid this issue may be beyond my skill level to diagnose, but I would like to attempt to at least attempt a diagnosis before I bring the car in.
My thought is that the coolant leak was going for a bit before I hit the hill and that I may have done some damage to the vehicle before I pulled off (it was a windy road and I had to find a turn out). I've limited experience in car repair, but I am eager to gain more and I think this is a good place to start.
Cheers and thanks for any and all advice the fine folks here have to offer,
Slim
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Deleted User
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Sounds like some sort of head gasket related issue.

Where are you located, slim?
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Memphis metro


If I only knew what a pan that subtends the engine was, I might could help you. The sound you probably heard was noise you will hear when your car is out of coolant and your radiator is building up pressure. Has been known to blow the tops off of radiators. You should feel the system completely with coolant and borrow a radiator pressure tester and check the system for leaks and repair all leaks. Small coolant leaks are common this time of the year when the temperature starts to cool a bit. Loose clamps are a source for many small leaks. Do not run the car hot any more if at all possible.
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SeldomSeenSlim
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Geo Glenn
Oct 25 2013, 02:06 PM
Sounds like some sort of head gasket related issue.

Where are you located, slim?
I'm in Northern California.

@Big Rhino

I'm not planning on running the vehicle any more till I can get a handle on what went wrong and what I need to do to fix it. If it is a head gasket issue and its not safe for the car to be driven , I may have to get it towed to a shop. Also, going through some of the diagnostic how too's, the bolts were missing from the oil pan. Maybe unrelated.
Edited by SeldomSeenSlim, Oct 25 2013, 02:43 PM.
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Memphis metro


Good luck and welcome to the forum.
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David95237


If you are any near Lodi i could give you a hand
David
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vr4


Missing oil pan bolts are unrelated to the coolant leak. Though it is likely to be a water pump or pipe o- ring from the sound of things you should probably get it to a shop. It also sounds like there may be other damage (head gasket)
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SeldomSeenSlim
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Posting an update:
Had my Mom's boyfriend look at the car and listen to the problem and he thinks its the water pump. We think the "fluttering" noise is the bearings on the pump being out. So i've gone ahead and purchased a water pump and we are going to put it on tomorrow. Is there anything I can do to see if any damage was done to the heads or head gasket?
Edited by SeldomSeenSlim, Oct 26 2013, 04:55 PM.
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SeldomSeenSlim
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Just want to put a final update out there. It was the water pump. Got the belts and pulleys all off and the new water pump on sunday. I've driven it twice since then and it seems fine. I think we may have put the fan belt back on a bit tight, but it should be fine (just whines a little). So problem solved. Also, pretty confident no damage was done to the heads; I still have plenty of power and the oil and coolant are clean.
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v8440
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Sounds like you dodged a bullet on that one.
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