2003 coolant loss from rear of engine

[tonyb1224]

I have a 2003 Sorento and there is a leak somewhere at the rear of the engine. I have removed both heater hoses and find no problem with the "y" or either hose. Could there be another cause? The "y" was replace by a mechanic about 5 years ago.

[cobra259]

Originally Posted by tonyb1224

I have a 2003 Sorento and there is a leak somewhere at the rear of the engine. I have removed both heater hoses and find no problem with the "y" or either hose. Could there be another cause? The "y" was replace by a mechanic about 5 years ago.

Common for that Y connector to leak. The part is cheap $32.00, in the USA, just a bastard to replace, no room to get to the clamps.

[nstoolman1]

Look at the PDF.


Pipe 1 + 2 connect with an o-ring. Could be leaking there.
Pipe 1 connects to back water header. Could be leaking there.
Pipe 4 connects to the back of the water pump. Could be leaking there.

The engine is slightly canted to the rear so any water leaking from the front of the engine could flow to the rear and appear to be leaking from the back.

Hope this helps.


As stated already check the y hose again. 5 years is a long time and the plastic will get brittle.

[Redzdvl]

Has the coolant over flow reservoir been replaced on it?? believe there was a "recall" on those because they did tend to leak. hair line crack in seam or something...

[tonyb1224]

Thanks guys! The coolant overflow was replaced in 2005 and still looks good. I will check the "y" again as well as the hoses and will check the "o" rings in the diagram. I have the feeling that it is the rings. I couldn't believe the mechanic told me it would be $350.00 for the labor plus whatever parts he needed. I may have to yet get a pro to fix it but I'll give it the 'ol college try. I appreciate your input!
Tony

[nstoolman1]

Originally Posted by tonyb1224

Thanks guys! The coolant overflow was replaced in 2005 and still looks good. I will check the "y" again as well as the hoses and will check the "o" rings in the diagram. I have the feeling that it is the rings. I couldn't believe the mechanic told me it would be $350.00 for the labor plus whatever parts he needed. I may have to yet get a pro to fix it but I'll give it the 'ol college try. I appreciate your input!
Tony

Remember, the entire top of the intake system has to come off to get to the o-rings. That can be labor intensive. Depending on the labor rates your $ figure might not be unreasonable. That is the good thing about DIY if you are capable. Good luck and take pictures. You are going into uncharted waters.

[kial98]

Just got an intermittent coolant leak at the back of my '08's engine fixed under warranty (hopefully the leak got fixed anyway).

It took a total of five 70 - 100 mile round trips to two Kia dealerships plus another trip to pick it up.

The dealers couldn't find any leak the first three visits so i had to ask if they had any tracer dye they could put in the cooling system.

On the fourth trip they found the leak but had to order parts (from Korea?) which took a few more days.

They ended up replacing the thermostat assembly, (bypass) pipe and hose assembly, and coolant.

[Redzdvl]

Originally Posted by kial98

Just got an intermittent coolant leak at the back of my '08's engine fixed under warranty (hopefully the leak got fixed anyway).

It took a total of five 70 - 100 mile round trips to two Kia dealerships plus another trip to pick it up.

The dealers couldn't find any leak the first three visits so i had to ask if they had any tracer dye they could put in the cooling system.

On the fourth trip they found the leak but had to order parts (from Korea?) which took a few more days.

They ended up replacing the thermostat assembly, (bypass) pipe and hose assembly, and coolant.

I swear the dealership services are useless...

If you have a product line & in that product line you have a bad piece that produces the same symptoms across the line when it fails... you would think that SOMEONE would be able to put two & two together & figure out that the problem you just came in for, may be caused by that bad piece ...

Every time it seems like they are dealing with a whole new problem. When I went in after the latest VSC because gas was shooting back out, one of the comments I heard was "Oh yea, didnt we have that problem on the last two?"

if you know it is a problem, & a reoccurring problem at that, THEN CHECK FOR IT ON ALL the vehicles that come in for the same related service!!!! Dont let me leave with a known problem, only to return with the HUGE impression that you are all INCOMPETENT MORONS!!

[KBBGeorge]

Tony,

I have a 2003 as well and had an identical problem. Mine was dripping from the bell housing and appeared to be coming from inside the bell housing. You should be able to find the post with pictures on this site. I went through the same questions as you. Like you the Y-connector and the reservoir had been replaced - they weren't wet either. Ultimately the problem was resolved when I replaced the timing belt. In that process, I also replaced the thermostat, waterpump, O-rings, and coolant. Like nstoolman said, the coolant can come from the front of the engine, but appear at the back. Not sure how it gets there, but my leak is gone. Good luck.

[jeffro217]

I have a 2003 Sorento that had a similar leak. Turned out to be not the "Y" but the other heater hose right next to it. I ended up replacing it with some parts store heater hose because NONE of the parts stores in my area could get the OEM "molded" one. Removing the cowling makes the job easier and a pair of 12" straight pliers, not the curved channel-lock type.