Hoping someone has seen this before or can give me an idea of what I'm up against. When my temperature gauge gets to the middle / normal and the car is warmed up (usually about 1-2 miles) a hissing sound starts emanating from below the throttlebody and I start losing antifreeze like crazy.

Video:

Photo of antifreeze after driving 1-2 miles then parking in the driveway and letting it idle for 5 minutes:


The leak seems to get worse as the car warms up.

 

Did you check the hoses going from the head to the throttle body? They might have ruptured

 

Yah this happened to me. Coolant goes into the throttle body to prevent some issues in really cold weather. Your hoses probably need to be replaced. Also the heater core hoses are in the same area so it could be one of those as well. Don't re-use the factory clamps get new ones.

 

Sounds good, thanks guys! What's the easiest way to get under there?

 

you could do it as is, without removing anything. I've done it before.

The easiest way to do it would be to remove the UICP and strut bar (if you really really need more room). Some of the clamps might be a little tough to get to, but they'll come out. A few angled needle nose pliers also help.

Since you're doing all of that, you might as well change out your throttle body shaft seals.

 

Thanks limp. I have a full schedule for the next couple of days, I dropped it off at a GoodYear Tire & Auto Center, hopefully they don't rape me (fingers crossed).

 

Go to the auto parts store and get a coolant pressure tester. I think it can be used as a loaner tool. install it on the radiator cap when the car is off and pressure it up(like a boost leak) and search where the leak is coming from.

 

I could warm the car up and hear it leaking like crazy, still had a hard time finding it. I just picked up my car, all fixed. Best $45 I ever spent!

 

Where was the leak?

 

They said it was a small coolant line, I think it completely came off. I didn't get real specific with them when they called because I was in a meeting, I'm just happy it's fixed.