2004 Santa Fe leak source?

[TomR]

I have a 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe with a 3.5L engine and 92,000 miles.

For the past week or so, I have noticed a very slight smell of
antifreeze/radiator fluid every once in a while. I assumed that it is a
radiator hose leak or possibly a leak in the heater core. But, the vehicle
does not overheat, there is no steam or fog inside that would indicate a
possible heater core leak, and the radiator fluid level seemed full or
almost full (although the radiator overflow container was empty). I added a
little water to the radiator and filled the overflow container to make sure
there was plenty of radiator fluid in the system.

I haven't seen any radiator fluid on the ground around the vehicle at any
time. When I open the hood, I don't see any leaking hoses. I took off the
engine cover to see better, and I don't see any leak around the water pump,
or dripping from the pump, or dripping from any hoses, etc. But, BELOW the
water pump is something made of cast metal that I am guessing is the
automatic transmission(?) -- I really don't know what it is. And, sitting
in some valleys or crevices in that part are small pools of green fluid that
clearly looks and smells like radiator fluid with antifreeze.

I ran the vehicle for a long time while watching to see if I could create or
see the leak or anything dripping etc. But I don't see anything other than
those pools of green liquid just sitting there. I tried moving or wiggling
the hoses, and nothing changed. I also tried keeping it running with the
heat on high, then later with the AC on high -- still no change. Then I
tried using paper towels and sopping up what I could that was in these
valleys/crevices, then I drove it again (but only for about 4 miles so far)
and I don't see any new fluid in the crevices or anywhere else.

Here are 5 photos that I took with the engine cover off while the green
fluid was still there. The photos go from a wider angle overall view down
to a view of the green puddles from a slight angle and then down to a top
view of the green puddles.

http://i42.tinypic.com/2910z1t.jpg

http://i44.tinypic.com/10pbl3m.jpg

http://i43.tinypic.com/set7cg.jpg

http://i40.tinypic.com/1530d46.jpg

http://i43.tinypic.com/28fmx.jpg



Where you may see dark areas on the water hoses near the water pump, they
are just shadows created by the flash or the sun or whatever. The hoses
themselves are all one color and are not wet etc.



My questions:



Am I correct that where the small green puddles are is the automatic
transmission?



Is it possible that there is some connection between that (the automatic
transmission(?)) and the radiator cooling system?



Is it possible that the cooling system somehow also cools the automatic
transmission (or whatever that is)?



If so, could the leak be right there -- maybe where that bolt or the other
wire/connection piece is -- and the radiator fluid is coming UP from there?



Or, any other suggestions, of what this may be or where the leak is coming
from?



Thanks.

[Paul in Houston TX]

TomR wrote:
> I have a 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe with a 3.5L engine and 92,000 miles.
>
> For the past week or so, I have noticed a very slight smell of
> antifreeze/radiator fluid every once in a while.

There sure are a lot of coolant transport pipes and gaskets
right there. Go here and see:
https://www.hyundaitechinfo.com/

I would put a pressure tester on the system.
Thats the trans that is catching the coolant from above.
It's not something to let go too long.

[Ed Pawlowski]

On Sun, 15 Apr 2012 17:43:43 -0400, "TomR" <To...@tomrljp5.lhd> wrote:



>My questions:

>
>Is it possible that there is some connection between that (the automatic
>transmission(?)) and the radiator cooling system?
>
>Is it possible that the cooling system somehow also cools the automatic
>transmission (or whatever that is)?

Yes, most trans have cooling lines running to the radiator. Usually
though, they carry oil to the radiator, not coolant to the trans.

>
>
>
>If so, could the leak be right there -- maybe where that bolt or the other
>wire/connection piece is -- and the radiator fluid is coming UP from there?
>

Many things are possible but I'm not familiar enough with the system
to say for sure. Leaks often occur under certain circumstances. The
right temperature, the right pressure etc. There may be something
common to this particular model that an experienced mechanic would
know about and what to look for.

[John]

In Australia it is common for GM/Fords ( not sure about others) to use a
section of the engine radiator for auto transmission
cooling. Purely a cost decison, obviously after a few years the barrier
between the two rots away
and engine cooling water is pumped through auto transmission. Probably why
most people prefer to buy other makes these days.


"Ed Pawlowski" <e...@snet.net> wrote in message
news:1jqno7t6h5birc1v0...@4ax.com...

[TomR]

Paul in Houston TX wrote:
> TomR wrote:
>> I have a 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe with a 3.5L engine and 92,000 miles.
>>
>> For the past week or so, I have noticed a very slight smell of
>> antifreeze/radiator fluid every once in a while.
>
> There sure are a lot of coolant transport pipes and gaskets
> right there. Go here and see:
> https://www.hyundaitechinfo.com/

Thanks. It took me a long time to figure out how to log in and access the
information there, but I did it. Unfortunately, I can't find where it shows
any of the coolant system or automatic transmission components or any views
of what is there. At the top of the web page it says, "Shop, ETM, DTC, TSB,
ECU Upgrade, and OBD-II" but I don't know what any of those mean. I tried
opening each one but that didn't help.

>
> I would put a pressure tester on the system.
> Thats the trans that is catching the coolant from above.
> It's not something to let go too long.

I didn't get to try that yet. I'd have to take it to a shop somewhere for
them to do that since I don't have a pressure tester.

[TomR]

I still haven't figured it out. I was able to completely wash off all of
the coolant that was sitting there a couple of days ago while the engine was
completely cold. Now, after driving it for a couple of days I see a very
small amount of coolant there again -- maybe 2 or 3 tablespoons of fluid at
the most. But, nothing on any hoses above it, nothing on the ground, etc.
So, it's still a mystery, but I am still doing detective work to see if I
can figure it out.

[Paul in Houston TX]

SHOP /Santa Fe/ 2004/ 3.5 DOHC/ Engine Mech. Sys/
Cooling sys/ Engine coolant hosepipe/ Components and Comp Location/
picture!

You should probably take it to a shop. They will put a
pressure tester on it and find the leak.
As I mentioned, Its not something to let go too long.
Overheat that aluminum engine even a little bit and
it is destroyed.

[TomR]

Paul in Houston TX wrote:
> TomR wrote:
>> Paul in Houston TX wrote:
>>> TomR wrote:
>>>> I have a 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe with a 3.5L engine and 92,000 miles.
>>>>
>>>> For the past week or so, I have noticed a very slight smell of
>>>> antifreeze/radiator fluid every once in a while.
>>> There sure are a lot of coolant transport pipes and gaskets
>>> right there. Go here and see:
>>> https://www.hyundaitechinfo.com/
>>
>> Thanks. It took me a long time to figure out how to log in and
>> access the information there, but I did it. Unfortunately, I can't
>> find where it shows any of the coolant system or automatic
>> transmission components or any views of what is there. At the top
>> of the web page it says, "Shop, ETM, DTC, TSB, ECU Upgrade, and
>> OBD-II" but I don't know what any of those mean. I tried opening
>> each one but that didn't help.

> SHOP /Santa Fe/ 2004/ 3.5 DOHC/ Engine Mech. Sys/
> Cooling sys/ Engine coolant hosepipe/ Components and Comp Location/
> picture!

Ahah! Thanks. That worked! By looking at those and some of the other
drawings on the site, it looks like the green radiator/antifreeze fluid does
have to be coming from above as you suggested. Looks like there is nothing
in or on the automatic transmission that could be the source.

And, now that I looked at the drawings and then at the vehicle again, I
think the leak may be coming from under or behind the water pump area. I
think if I take the engine cover off again and also take off all of the air
intake filter and hose assembly that seems to be blocking the view, I may be
able to see where the problem is. I'll probably get to do that this
weekend.

> You should probably take it to a shop. They will put a
> pressure tester on it and find the leak.
> As I mentioned, Its not something to let go too long.
> Overheat that aluminum engine even a little bit and
> it is destroyed.

Thanks again. That makes sense. After I get to take a better look at this,
I'll take it in to be diagnosed and fixed.

I'll post back here what I find out and what I end up having done to fix it.

[Paul in Houston TX]

Hmmm... The water pump appears to be at the other end
of the engine, near the belts and pulleys.
Let us know what you find out.

[TomR]

Paul in Houston TX wrote:
> TomR wrote:
>>>>>> For the past week or so, I have noticed a very slight smell of
>>>>>> antifreeze/radiator fluid every once in a while.

> Hmmm... The water pump appears to be at the other end
> of the engine, near the belts and pulleys.
> Let us know what you find out.

Good catch. Thanks. I checked again and I guess it's not a water pump that
I am looking at. It looks like it is a manifold that is attached to the
engine block on that end that contains the thermostat and has water hoses
attached to it etc. I'm going to try to get a better look at it later
today. Maybe it will turn out to be one of those gaskets where the manifold
meets the engine that is leaking.

[Richard Steinfeld]

On 4/18/2012 1:04 PM, TomR wrote:
> Paul in Houston TX wrote:
>> TomR wrote:
>>> I have a 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe with a 3.5L engine and 92,000 miles.
>>>
>>> For the past week or so, I have noticed a very slight smell of
>>> antifreeze/radiator fluid every once in a while.
>>

This may be related.
My 2000 Sonata leaks a tiny amount of coolant. The problem is
that there's a short hairline crack at a junction of shapes in
the plastic radiator close to the filler neck. It's intermittent
and I'll bet that this defect has existed for years, even before
I bought the car. It even doesn't seem to be affecting transfer
to and from the recovery tank. The leakage is so small that I'm
just living with it. Obviously, I'm not impressed with modern
(stingy) technology in this case. There are places where plastic
makes sense in an automobile. I don't think that this is one of them.

Richard


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[TomR]

Here's another follow-up. Still no luck in figuring out where the leak is
coming from. I removed the air filter assembly and air intake hose to get a
better view. Then I rinsed everything off thoroughly with a hose so I would
start with a clean slate, and then ran the engine for a long time. No sign
of anything leaking. After a couple of days, I looked again, and once again
there is a small amount of green radiator water/antifreeze in those two
little wells that I showed in the previous pictures that I posted. There is
no sign of any dripping or drip lines coming from above.

Here's another photo of how it's looks today. This is actually two links to
the same photo in case one allows the viewer to zoom in better than the
other.

http://tinypic.com/r/zacyx/5

http://i40.tinypic.com/zacyx.jpg

I have a strange feeling that the green radiator water is actually coming up
from where that hex bolt is that is in the center of the photo in between
the pools of green fluid. That bolt connects to one of two approximately
1/4-inch metal tubes that I think go from there at the automatic
transmission (assuming that's what that is) to somewhere in the area of the
bottom of the radiator. I don't know what those metal tubes do or what they
are for. Maybe I can find a repair manual that shows or explains what those
two metal tubes are.

I am also going to buy a better mirror that I can place in the right
position to see up from where the pool of green fluid is located.

The other option, of course, is to finally take it to someone and get them
to pressurize the system as was suggested before and see if they can
reproduce the leak in real time.

More than anything else, I am curious to find out exactly where the leak is
coming from. I would really like to have a better idea of that myself if
possible before having a shop tell me what they think it is. At this point,
it is kind of a puzzle/adventure since the amount of fluid that leaks is so
small that it is not a problem.

[Paul in Houston TX]

Speculation without testing is pretty much a waste of time.
The heater hose barbs and heated throttle body and all the
hoses are right there.
Its better to get it in now then have something blow out
on the highway. If it does, then your choice may be either
a new engine or junking the vehicle.

[hyundaitech]

The coolant won't be coming from below without making a very large
mess. Look back at where the radiator hoses join the manifold above
the transmission. Run your finger at the bottoms of the hoses where
they attach to the aluminum. Often the aluminum corrodes here and
causes a leak. Usually, the hose is deteriorated and has corrosion
transferred to it. Replace any hoses in question and sand the
corrosion off the aluminum where the hose attaches so you'll have a
smooth surface again.

Also check the gasket where the top outlet attaches to the manifold.
These will sometimes leak as well.

[TomR]

Thanks hyundaitech, Paul, Ed, Richard, John.

It looks like I solved the problem. After checking and checking, it
appeared that there may have been a very tiny leak in the thermostat gasket.
So, I decided to change that. While changing it, I took apart the upper
hose connection where it connects to the thermostat cover. There was a
small amount of corrosion/salt there on the underneath side that I couldn't
see or feel with the thermostat and hose in place. The hose was in good
condition, but I did sand and clean off the aluminum where the hose attaches
and reconnected everything. So far, it all looks good -- no sign of any
leakage anywhere.

Thanks again for all of the suggestions and ideas.

[Paul in Houston TX]

And Thanks for the reply. Glad its working ok.

[Dan Ho]

replying to TomR, Dan Ho wrote:
Hi..i have same model with yours and year ,hyundai sta fe 3.5 awd 2004..i used
this so called tracerline 1oz bottle in the radiator and let vehicle run for
20 minutes (10 minutes required by tracerline) and sure enough leak coming out
where upper radiator hose housing to engine are mated together.Which means
gasket not sealing well.Leak goes down to the crevices you just mentioned and
gets trap creating a puddle.

--
for full context, visit http://www.motorsforum.com/hyundai/2004-santa-fe-leak-source-23953-.htm

[Charles Hagan]

replying to TomR, Charles Hagan wrote:
I have the same problem. Did you notice any coolant to the left of the bolt
(looking from under the hood). It is just a little flat spot. I have a 2005
Santa Fe 3.5 engine.

[Dan Ho]

replying to Dan Ho, Dan Ho wrote:
Yep..it was indeed the $5 round gasket seal.No more radiator coolant loss
after that.

[Charles]

replying to Dan Ho, Charles wrote:
Dan Ho, can you take a picture of the area. This way i will be able to locate
the leak in my 2005 Santa Fe 3.5. If you could explain exactly what you
replaced that would be a big help. Thank you in advance. It is very hard to
see much in that area.

[Mike]

replying to TomR, Mike wrote:
I just replaced my radiator in my 05 Santa Fe last night, I had seen the old
congiled pools of old coolant in the same place. I will start here . Good read
thanks guys

--
for full context, visit https://www.motorsforum.com/hyundai/2004-santa-fe-leak-source-23953-.htm

[What the heckisit1245]

replying to TomR, What the heckisit1245 wrote:
My car has the same problem n I believe it’s that plug /wire I filled mine
up with coolant n it was slowly comming out right at that “plug / sensor or
whatever it is I’m still trying to figure it out with the plug piece
whatever use