[youtube]nPK62sejxW0[/youtube]

noticed a lot of steam coming from my engine bay when I got to work thsi morning, complete with a puddle of fluid under my driver side exhaust tip.

I'm assuming this is a coolant expansion tank failure?

Here are some 'high-res' blackberry smart phone photos:

 

You should be able to tell by the smell if it is coolant - pretty unmistakable. If you are not familiar with the smell, remove the cap on the coolant tank and take a sniff.

 

That's coolant. Check for the cap, hoses, clamps. otherwise is the tank. You won't be able to see the crack on the tank...

 

Probably the tank. I'm going to replace / update mine.
Funny thing... your screen name is split....your tank took it literally.

Sorry for the problem.

 

so i should change my screen name to 'NewTankInstalled'?

In all seriousness, I ordered a new tank and I'm hoping to install it this weekend. i'll post the results.

+rep to all for the feedback!





I'm certain its coolant, as the coolant level was low and it looked and smelled like coolant. The only thing i'm confused about is that it seems to be leaking inconsistently.

 

Looks like coolant - same way mine failed albeit at a slower leak rate than yours. Not as easy a job replacing than you'd think. You'll see when you get the new tank, what you see from the engine compartment is 10% of the tank, 90% is buried toward the rear seat. You may want to replace the level sensor and the cap as well.

 

yep ...the old pesky coolant tank....didn't bother to do it myself...it's a PITA..replaced mine at RAC Performance...worth the $$$ & no more leaks..

 

fyi, you might just want to try changing the cap first... that often fails and is an easier fix... I had the same thing and it was just the cap. :-)

 

Whats with coolant tanks and ignition switches on these cars? They all seem to fail....

 

I've already ordered a new expansion tank and cap. However, i'm starting to wonder if the expansion tank has even failed because its leaking intermittently. It leaked a bit on the way to work yesterday and in the parkade, but since then hasn't done anything..

 

got the tank replaced yesterday and sure enough, it was leaking.

Also did my polyrib belt since i was in there and am almost finished installing a K&N intake.

I'm so not impressive with the K&N intake for this car. I spent at least 30minutes assembling it, which could have been done in advance for the customer. Additionally, im not impressived that I have to drill a hole into the car by the hoodlatch to add a mounting bracket. At least the price was right. I paid $295 shipped (to canada) and the competitors certainly charge a lot more.