More problems for Scruffy in NJ "haunted Supra?"

[scruffboy]

I hate to hog this board but I seem to be havin a run of bad luck. I passed emissions, got hood latch fixed, then coolant system started to leak. Found split hose under distributor (bypass hose or upper return hose?). Almost got ripped of by mechanic tellin me he has to take off distributor. Well I replaced the hose, its about 4" with a 90o bend. It's still slightly leaking coolant. I went to Strauss Auto and had their guys look at it, although not one of em spoke enough English so I had to talk to 4 guys and they would try to put together what I was saying. I thought maybe the worm screw was not on the nipple enough so the guy goes in and tightens it (now I can't get to it at all, what with the angle he put it at). It's still dripping ever so slightly, but enough to make me uncomfortable. I bring it back and they take what looks like a dental mirror to look under the hose and point to what I think was the thermostat housing and said that was leaking. Now I would just like to take it to a mechanic and say "Hey, fix this, but don't rob me blind". I still think maybe the worm screw isn't seated right, I don't know. Can anyone give me a tip on what to say when I go to the mechanic so I sound like I know what I'm talkin about, before they start tellin me I have to replace water pump or some crazy shit. I swear, I think this Supra is haunted and I never thought I'd say this but I'm about to give up. Let someone else deal with all this. But I do love the car and want to keep it. Everyone who rides in it says how great the engine sounds and how fast it is and how easy it shifts, and they are right. They just don't know what I go through to keep this tempermental little bitch on the road.

Sincerely,

James in NJ

[scruffboy]

I may have fixed my problem. Last night I tightened every worm screw on every hose near the thermostat that I could get to. Today it looks like leaks may have stopped. If not, what is the device behind the thermostat housing, because the housing seems attached to that as tight as a ducks ass, but its what is behind it where the leaks may be. Any help?

Thanks,

James

[j3pz]

isnt the cps or distributer behind the thermostat housing, and on my 87t there was the powersteering fluid resviour

[mrnickleye]

There is a whole housing that the thermostat outlet mounts to. There are actually a few places it could leak around that area.

http://www.cygnusx1.net/supra/librar.../co/CO_02.html

With the hose clamps you are using (very common), they tend to start seeping in the winter. The rubber hose shrinks a little. I always take a few minutes after the first cold weather to snug them all up a bit.

[suprra_girl]

maybe the gasket has flogged out that goes between the water pipes and the back of the water pump
it has two 12mm nuts on it.. the water pipe travels under the exhaust manifold and to the back of the engine feeding the heater hoses

you might be able to see that between the exhaust manifold and cps... not too sure

have a look and let us know

[scruffboy]

Both scenarios make sense. I no longer have a leak at the hose that was originally leaking (definite), but there is still some leakage behind and below that. Mr.Nickleye is right, there is a whole unit that the thermostat housing bolts to, and it may be up in there some where. But also I see coolant below that, so I don't know if Supra Girl may be right. Or Mr.Nicleye might be right and its just dripping down. (What a friggin mess) I think I need to go to a mechanic, but after being hustled so often, I dread the thought. I went to a guy yesterday who specializes in jap imports and he said he would do a pressure check and then let me see what is leaking. Does this sound like a good way to go?

Sincerely,

James in NJ

Oh, and by the way Mr.Nickleye, I had that drawing in hand when I walked into this guys office. I don't want him to think I'm an easy mark.