Coolant leak in 1995 Camry
 

Hi I was driving yesterday and started to hear what I can describe as a scraping noise it sounded like something was loose and wobbling near the belt/ water pump area. When I would get over 30 I wouldn't hear it as much but idling and accelerating I would hear it on and off. I tried to make it home ASAP but I noticed steam coming out and the temp gauge start to rise so I stopped. I let the car cool down and checked the coolant level. It was low so I put more in. I went in the store and came back out and all the coolant I just put in was on the ground. I then put a little water in to see if I could find the leak. There is a tiny hole near the top radiator hose where the timing belt cover is. The timing belt cover also looks like it's not flush(I am not very knowledgeable about cars so I may be wrong) the car will start for a second and shut off now. Any coolant I put in leaks right out as soon as I put it in. What could the problem be? I can't get it to a shop right now

What engine type, V6 or 4-cylinder?

Is the coolant coming out from the passenger fender side of the of the engine?

Is coolant coming out of the hole you mentioned? Is this a hole in the radiator hose or in the metal fitting on the engine the hose slides onto?

Did the temp gauge get into the red and if so for how long?

Did you drive the car home from the store? If not did the engine ever start up after trying to fill with coolant?

When investigating just add water, perhaps distilled if you have it, as no need to run coolant onto the ground.

Don't run or attempt to start engine until finding the leak.

If a scrapping noise was heard it has happened the water pump bearing fails which can be dramatic.

Suggest remove the front passenger tire then have someone add water while you watch at the bottom of the timing cover for leakage.

It is a 4 cyl. The coolant is coming out of the passenger side near the tire. The hole is in the metal. Just to the left of the metal pipe where the hose would connect to the engine. Temp gauge wAs in the red for less than 20 seconds when I shut the car off. I did not drive the car home. I did however start it and move it about 50 yards so the tow truck could get to it. It had a little bit of water in it when I started it.

Is the source of the leak the hole? You can see the hole, fill with water and watch for leak.

I think there is another leak besides the hole. I have to get some better light to look. I haven't had a chance to look during the day

Yes,wait until day.

Remove the tire then fill and look for water coming out from under the timing belt cover. There is a small plastic shield in the inner wheel well that can be removed to be better see the cover. Make sure the car is secure on blocks or jack stand before putting your head into the wheel well.

If water coming out from under the cover the water pump may be leaking. Again the pump can fail, make noise. The cover would need to be removed to access. If you don't know auto repairs this may be a job for a mechanic but DIY's have replaced pumps.

Post back with your findings tomorrow.

Thank you very much. I will look in the morning and report back. Have a good night!

I checked it again this morning and took a few pics to help. I however don't know how to post pics. The leak is coming from the bottom front part of the timing belt cover. Also the cover doesn't look to be flush with the engine.

The leak is coming from below the bolt on that arm in the middle

Cover bends a little bit

The cover is thin plastic having a seal which is not water tight but designed to keep out dirt and other debris. It can warp as shown in the photo and not affect its performance. The covers looks normal.

There are two covers,top and bottom which mate in the middle. They cover the timing belt area which includes the water pump. If water is leaking from under the cover or out a bolt that attaches the cover to the engine the water pump may be leaking. The covers need to be removed to access the pump.

One other thing. If you follow the large radiator hose at the bottom of the radiator to the pump area (lower passenger side area) you will see where it installs onto a metal "tube". It has happened this part made of aluminum corrodes to the point of having holes and leaking, or the radiator hose clamp could be loose allowing water to leak out.

If no leaks at the hose or tube it connects to then it is most likely the water pump.

One more question. I went to a couple parts stores and some have the water pump for $33 and others have it for $100+. The guy said the cheaper on is with out the housing but he said they look the same. What is the difference?

Have you taken the engine apart to find out what is wrong? If not this might be best to be able to buy all the parts at once.

The pump bolts to the housing which bolts to the engine. You should only need the pump.

The housing looks like the item in the link below:

More Information for DORMAN 902401

The pump looks like this:

More Information for AIRTEX AW9099

i wish i could take the engine apart where i am. ive watched and read so much about this repair im sure i could do it. im bringing it to a friends friends shop on monday so ill buy just the pump and get the rest if needed. thanks

If changing the pump, also change the timing belt.

Ok Thanks for the advice!

Hi again. I have replaced the water pump, timing belt, and pulleys and she still won't start. The guy that helped fix it thinks I jumped the timing when the pump failed and that's why it wouldn't start before. He said he wasn't sure why it won't start now and is going to recheck the timing and do another compression test. If the timing is correct what could the problem be?

Did you check for ign spark?

He said he did.

As you posted, have the mechanic recheck belt timing and compression. If engine overheated too much a blown head gasket is possible.

When checking compression and plugs are out, crank engine and check for fuel being injected into cylinders.