Coolant loss or leak

[dsgrey]

The other day, my coolant tank (plain 3.6 engine) was a little low so I topped off to the full mark. I drove a few miles yesterday and today I noticed this semi-dried puddle in the garage. The coolant tank is back to a little low but I cannot find anywhere it's leaking. I can find what appears to be the highest point where I find fluid on the frame but the radiator hoses, return hose to the tank, the tank itself and hoses that split off the return hose are bone dry.

Logically, since this began after adding coolant that tells me it's overfilled. But it's below the minimum line (where it was before) and driving me nuts where the coolant is leaking/venting off, etc. As I said, all hoses are dry and anything around the tank is dry but it has to come from somewhere. Anyone else have a similar issue?

You can see on the right, the tank is just a little low on coolant

Directly below the area circled in blue is the frame where I find the highest point with fluid somewhere

The best picture I could manage where I first find fluid on the frame (below the blue circle above)

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[Heimkehr]

I'd start by tracing every coolant hose, one at a time, checking every connection, including any inline t-fittings, for secure clamping and dry surfaces. I'd only move on to the next hose after the preceding one has been checked from end to end (and that both termination points were positively identified.)

Hopefully this sort of approach will successfully isolate where the coolant leak is occurring, if in fact a compromised hose and/or fitting is the culprit here.

By way of example, on the 2.0T, some vehicles left the factory with insufficiently torqued fasteners at the water pump inlet on the block. This was a confirmed source of [slow] coolant loss on the affected vehicles. You might consider having a look at the same location on the 3.6. Just a thought.

 

[dsgrey]

I'd start by tracing every coolant hose, one at a time, checking every connection, including any inline t-fittings, for secure clamping and dry surfaces. I'd only move on to the next hose after the preceding one has been checked from end to end (and that both termination points were positively identified.)

Hopefully this sort of approach will successfully isolate where the coolant leak is occurring, if in fact a compromised hose and/or fitting is the culprit here.

By way of example, on the 2.0T, some vehicles left the factory with insufficiently torqued fasteners at the water pump inlet on the block. This was a confirmed source of [slow] coolant loss on the affected vehicles. You might consider having a look at the same location on the 3.6. Just a thought.

Yes, I'll try to retrace everything again today. I didn't top it off again and drove 15 miles last night and stopped at a store for 30+ minutes. I checked underneath and under the hood, no new signs nor any further loss of coolant. Did the same when driving back home. Nothing shows to have leaked again in my garage overnight. It's very odd.

 

[dsgrey]

The bottom of the coolant tank felt dry but after retracing this morning, I believe I have the dreaded tank leak. The coolant I had seen on the frame a bit closer to the front appears to have been a red herring. Leaking from the tank showed a bit higher up on the frame due to wind, etc when it leaked.

 

[C2D2]

I’d keep an eye on it for a few drives. I had the same thing happen to me after I “topped it off” back to the max line. Has stayed where it likes to be ever since getting rid of everything I put in it.

 

[dsgrey]

I’d keep an eye on it for a few drives. I had the same thing happen to me after I “topped it off” back to the max line. Has stayed where it likes to be ever since getting rid of everything I put in it.

I'll be ordering a replacement tank. Between the threads on here and elsewhere, it seems Stellantis built that tank for failure where it leaks at the seam versus a one piece molded tank. I know some say to replace the bottom hose too but since I can see pink up higher and after watching some videos, the seam is a failure point and the hose should be good.

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