Hi All,
Long time lurker, I've found this community so great to get DIY information. I've been able to tackle a number of first time jobs myself: valve adjustment, new alternator, new radiator, compressor clutch, serpentine belt, idle tensioner, throttle position sensor, brake pads, rotors, trailer hitch, transmission cooler, brake controller.
In the last year the radiator failed, and the pink milkshake took out the transmission, a shop rebuilt it, and installed new engine mounts and steering rack & pinion.
2004 MDX at 190k miles, my hope is to keep it until 300k.
Shop installed Gates timing belt / water pump in 2014, 80k miles ago.
The current coolant problem came up when the cabin heat became intermittent on a long cold winter drive. At home I found the radiator was nearly empty, I was surprised because the engine temperature never indicated it overheated. I wasn't seeing fluid under the car but found the radiator cap gasket was bad and replaced it hoping that was the problem, but fluid was still lowering.
Under the car was pretty gunky so I cleaned it hoping to see if there was a visible leak and this seemed to make things worse. Now when the engine is running blue liquid is visibly dripping from around the timing belt cover. After short drives there is also white steam coming from this area, and the belt is squealing. (I assume the fan is blowing coolant onto the belt and its evaporating off the hot engine)
I'm keep topping up the coolant, it's been 2 jugs over 4 tanks of gas. The engine temperature has never even gotten to halfway on the gauge.
My thought was coolant is leaking from the gasket of the water pump, maybe the gates replacement wasn't the best.
However I also see blue/green coolant residue on the transmission side of the engine under the water passage and I believe on the side of the transmission underneath.
So then I thought maybe this was a head gasket leak? I checked the oil and it appears normal, under the oil cap, radiator & overflow appear normal. I checked for oil on the spark plugs but they were dry. I don't see any white smoke in the exhaust, and when the engine runs with no radiator cap there are no bubbles coming up. Should I get an exhaust gas test for radiator to confirm or rule this out?
I found posts that sometimes MDX water passage gaskets can go bad and leak, maybe that is causing the fluid to leak on top then drip down both sides?
I've attached pictures, maybe someone has seen this before and can give me some armchair advice?
What are the next steps? or estimated costs? Replace timing belt/pump? I think I could manage the job this time, maybe even a head gasket replacement. Or should I take it to a shop to diagnose/repair it if the problem is more serious?
Under water passage
Long time lurker, I've found this community so great to get DIY information. I've been able to tackle a number of first time jobs myself: valve adjustment, new alternator, new radiator, compressor clutch, serpentine belt, idle tensioner, throttle position sensor, brake pads, rotors, trailer hitch, transmission cooler, brake controller.
In the last year the radiator failed, and the pink milkshake took out the transmission, a shop rebuilt it, and installed new engine mounts and steering rack & pinion.
2004 MDX at 190k miles, my hope is to keep it until 300k.
Shop installed Gates timing belt / water pump in 2014, 80k miles ago.
The current coolant problem came up when the cabin heat became intermittent on a long cold winter drive. At home I found the radiator was nearly empty, I was surprised because the engine temperature never indicated it overheated. I wasn't seeing fluid under the car but found the radiator cap gasket was bad and replaced it hoping that was the problem, but fluid was still lowering.
Under the car was pretty gunky so I cleaned it hoping to see if there was a visible leak and this seemed to make things worse. Now when the engine is running blue liquid is visibly dripping from around the timing belt cover. After short drives there is also white steam coming from this area, and the belt is squealing. (I assume the fan is blowing coolant onto the belt and its evaporating off the hot engine)
I'm keep topping up the coolant, it's been 2 jugs over 4 tanks of gas. The engine temperature has never even gotten to halfway on the gauge.
My thought was coolant is leaking from the gasket of the water pump, maybe the gates replacement wasn't the best.
However I also see blue/green coolant residue on the transmission side of the engine under the water passage and I believe on the side of the transmission underneath.
So then I thought maybe this was a head gasket leak? I checked the oil and it appears normal, under the oil cap, radiator & overflow appear normal. I checked for oil on the spark plugs but they were dry. I don't see any white smoke in the exhaust, and when the engine runs with no radiator cap there are no bubbles coming up. Should I get an exhaust gas test for radiator to confirm or rule this out?
I found posts that sometimes MDX water passage gaskets can go bad and leak, maybe that is causing the fluid to leak on top then drip down both sides?
I've attached pictures, maybe someone has seen this before and can give me some armchair advice?
What are the next steps? or estimated costs? Replace timing belt/pump? I think I could manage the job this time, maybe even a head gasket replacement. Or should I take it to a shop to diagnose/repair it if the problem is more serious?
Under water passage