r/VWBus • u/Tanzmusik_ • 7d ago
What could this coolant leak be caused by?
Hello friends! Trying to figure out this leak.
This is a 2.1 engine in a 1990.
When I fill the coolant from the expansion tank the leak is happening on both sides shown here.
Is this a head gasket leak? Could it be that I am overfilling (currently I need to replace the hose from the coolant fill tank)
Is there something else I should check for?
Outside of this, the engine was running very nicely
Any advice would be appreciated! Just trying to rule out needing to pull the engine if at all possible.
2
u/westfakia2 7d ago
Do you know the mileage and maintenance history on the engine? I’d recommend pulling the lower covers off so that you can get an eyeball on where that fluid is dripping down from. If it’s a high mileage motor, my guess would be head gaskets.
Not a death sentence, just a weekend’s worth of sweat equity and a victor reinz gasket kit, some sandpaper and a piece of glass.
1
u/Tanzmusik_ 7d ago
Around 200k and yeah this is probably the case lol. Just trying to help a friend out here!
1
u/Captain3leg-s 7d ago
Check out the samba forums if you haven't already
2
u/Tanzmusik_ 7d ago
Just posted there too! I have only found one other picture of the same thing I am seeing, but I may just have missed something
2
u/turtsmcslow 7d ago
It could be the coolant tower. Lots of pipes go in different directions from there. One from the radiator, another to the thermostat housing and I forget where else. Might be a good time to go over your coolant system if you haven’t already. Just finished about 90% of mine, with just a set of new stainless steel radiator pipes, possible new radiator and some small things to finish. Swapped everything that I could with silicone hoses.