SAAB 9-3 1999 coolant leak

biko

Driving home this evening in gridlock traffic I noticed smoke come from under the bonnet.
I pulled over and saw coolant dripping from under a metal pipe bracket onto the hot B204E engine, causing the smoke.
Now, this is the air intake pipe so it is perplexing that coolant would be dripping from it. I did not see coolant on any other hose etc (was dark out though)..

Will update with findings as I progress

biko

Ok so yesterday I topped up coolant, aprox 500ml
This morning none had escaped.
It appears that the coolant is only escaping when engine/coolant is at operating temp.
It also indicates that the leak is either so small it actually seals itself unless pressure is high, or is above a line where there isn't coolant when car is at rest.

Next to the metal pipe is a black rubber coolant hose...

dieselbug

The pressure in the coolant system will rise as the engine warms up and reduce as the engine cools, so the coolant system will be more likely to show a small leak when the engine is hot.

Dry the area off, start the car and leave it running. Watch carefully and patiently and it will show itself.

biko

Yes, that's the plan. I should have some time tomorrow to actually test the theory, too darn busy today.