[unjustentropy]

I have a coolant leak, which looks like its coming from the backside of the engine somewhere around plug #6 . Its a pretty big one that leaves my radiator dry after just a couple days and i get puddles after warming up. any ideas what it is thats leaking back there? 04 3.3l non s/c

 

[JLBinHSV]

Freeze plug maybe?

 

[RacerXXL]

Either going to be a leak at the intake or one of the small coolant hoses on the rear behind the intake plenum. Either way your going to need to pull the intake plenum to be able to check the hoses or gain enough room to identify the leak.

 

[Grease Monkey]

two heater core hoses and 2-3 other misc coolant lines under the intake/throttle body. theyre horrible to get at.

 

[dejablue]

It could be one of 2 bypass hose in the back of intake, have you ever changed them ???

 

[OUSooner]

Check hoses 4 , 5 and 6... You can change them without taking the intake plenum off.

Otherwise, if it is # 2 or 3, then you have to remove the intake plenum.

 

[unjustentropy]

I just popped the hood an took another look and it appears to be the hose attached to the piece in the picture. theres that rusty looking build up on top of the hose and all along the sides going down it. Is this hose hard to find/easy to replace?

 

[unjustentropy]

I just went back and looked again and its confirmed to be that hose. the top clamp loosened up, slid down and is now sitting on top of the bottom hose clamp. Does anyone know the easiest way to get to this?

 

[OUSooner]

Hard to tell by looking at your picture. But it looks like something related to hose 4,5,6 (I can't see the loose clamp). Was the pic taken from the firewall looking towards the front?

I would try everything to move the hose clamp back up using a grabber or any other tool, then try to tighten it, even it if takes 1 -2 hours. If you take the intake plenum off, it is a 1 day job.

 

[unjustentropy]

Hard to tell by looking at your picture. But it looks like something related to hose 4,5,6 (I can't see the loose clamp). Was the pic taken from the firewall looking towards the front?

I would try everything to move the hose clamp back up using a grabber or any other tool, then try to tighten it, even it if takes 1 -2 hours. If you take the intake plenum off, it is a 1 day job.

im standing on the passenger side behind the power steering reservoir. The pic is from roughly the same angle. Its looking at the back of the engine/the firewall. the blue cable is leading to plug #6

 

[unjustentropy]

I didnt manage to get the hose itself in the picture but its attached to the underside of that brass(?) piece

 

[OUSooner]

Ah.. OK, so where is the loose clamp? Is it under the plenum, or did it slide down the metal tube behind the engine?

Either way, I would try to pull the clamp back up and put it back in place without taking the plenum off. It might help to take off the hood, that way you can get from the side and from the top. You may need to use a mirror to get the work done.

 

[unjustentropy]

Ah.. OK, so where is the loose clamp? Is it under the plenum, or did it slide down the metal tube behind the engine?

Either way, I would try to pull the clamp back up and put it back in place without taking the plenum off. It might help to take off the hood, that way you can get from the side and from the top. You may need to use a mirror to get the work done.

Whats the plenum? Just gotta find something small and long enough :3d_050:

The loose clamp is just sitting on top of the bottom hose clamp. I can reach in with my hand and grab it but its a tight fit, probably wont be able to move it with my hand.

 

[OUSooner]

OK, take a look at my picture again. it is not hose 4,5,6, its the hose that is near the date at the bottom ( Jul 10, 2009).
You see those 3 brass tubes lumped together? Its one of those. You should not have to take the plenum off to work on those hoses. but it will take time since there is not much room. Just be patient and take your time.

You should be able to replace to fix the clamp. If the clamp fell out of reach, then get another clamp and put it on.

 

[OUSooner]

The plenum is the air intake. Is the big metal part that has 6 holes. You don't want to take that off unless you HAVE to.

 

[OUSooner]

Try to loosen the clamp just enough to move it. There are curved needle nose pliers, or something with a universal joint.

What about a grabber?

Like I said, can you just leave that loose clamp there, and get a new one? open the new clamp up, then wrap it around the hose, and tighten. Can you reach the spot where the clamp is supposed to go?

 

[OUSooner]

I will look at my son's Xterra tonight or tomorrow. Then I will give you more input if I have any another ideas.

 

[unjustentropy]

well i managed to slide it up and tighten it but it still looks like the top of the hose is opened up. So guess ill drive it to work, check it out again, re-tighten if i need to and see if i need to replace the hose

 

[OUSooner]

Let us know if it's OK or not. I took a look at my son's Xterra and you can replace those hose without removing the plenum. But is not fun. It does help make a little more room if you remove the hood.

 

[unjustentropy]

Let us know if it's OK or not. I took a look at my son's Xterra and you can replace those hose without removing the plenum. But is not fun. It does help make a little more room if you remove the hood.

well i checked it when i got to work last night and when i came home and it appears to be holding up. Didn't see any leaking fluid and my radiator remained full for both trips.