How to locate a coolant leak. April 23, 2026.
Svengoolie was glowing like a 1970s Jimi Hendrix poster!
Well, nobody's perfect.
After I had replaced the water pump, coolant temperature sensor, thermostat and hoses, I drove the car a few times. Then I noticed coolant in the engine belly pan.
I looked around and saw coolant on top of the water pump. I assumed it had leaked up through the top of the gasket. I re-torqued all of the bolts and that seemed to solve it.
Then I went for a long drive and when I got home I didn't really see anything. Then I opened the hood after the car had cooled down and there was more coolant in the belly pan, but I couldn't find where it was coming from.
I decided to use a U.V. coolant dye and a U.V. light to find it. Here's what happened...

This is how I do the work on my car. I'm not a professional mechanic. The pictures and descriptions are for reference only.
Any work that you do on your car is your responsibility. Safety first and patience make for a job well done!