Coolant dripping from rocker panel

[funcrew]

After a year of trying to chase down a tiny coolant leak that I could smell, but not find, I noticed coolant dripping from the rocker panel, right behind the left front wheel. Any ideas what leak location would manifest in that spot?

Thanks!

[Rolla1990]

Coolant bottle, or the coolant cap on a newer e30 with the coolant bottle on the left side of the engine bay. I had this happen to me and I noticed coolant behind the driver's front wheel because it was blowing back through the wheel well/fender.

Best bet would be to pressure test your cooling system with your car up in the air.

[jlevie]

This rather depends on the year of the car. If an early model (prior to 9/87) with the expansion tank on the right (passenger side) it will be a leak at the throttle body, heater hose or heater core. If a later model, in addition tp those points the expansion tank is a suspect.

[PУCCKAЯ_e30ka]

on late models, the excess coolant will go through a hose from the expansion tank in the front (driver's side) fender and drip... so you either overfilled the system, or it's clogged...

[funcrew]

Thanks to all! Mine is an '89 with the coolant reservoir on the left. System slowly loses pressure using a tester, so I don't think it's an over-filling problem. I'll check all the areas mentioned.

PУCCKAЯ_e30ka, What did you mean by "clogged?" Which part of the system?

[PУCCKAЯ_e30ka]

I ment the radiator is old ---> clogged, but since you're saying that the system was losing pressure when you tested it, I guess it does leak somewhere in the expansion tank area!

[funcrew]

Thanks for that. Radiator, water pump, and all the large hoses are new. So the leak is most likely the expansion tank, remaining old hoses, throttle body, or heater core. I've never seen a car with such a spaghetti bowl of coolant hoses. Ah, well, my trouble-free Toyota Echo had none of the charm of my E30 ragtop, so you pay to play, I guess.