Coolant Leak

[budmelon]

Hi everyone,

Quick question, my 2007 Santa Fe with 3.3 has developed a small coolant leak. Every so often, I see a few drops on the garage floor and every 6 months or so I need to fill the reservoir with new coolant.

So I took it in last Friday at a Hyundai dealership and he said that I need a new head gasket. So my question is, is that correct?
I did a search and most says that if you need a new head gasket, coolant would have leaked into the engine and oil. When I changed the oil back in June, I don’t recall seeing any foam or or any indication that something is wrong with the oil. Even yesterday, I open up the oil cap and pull the dipstick, every looks normal.
I assumed that not all head gasket problems leads to coolant in the oil?
I didn’t get a chance to ask the dealer because it was late and I have to bring to car back because they don’t have the gasket there at the moment.
Thanks.

[Bbrown1664]

Depends how the gasket has failed. It is possible to leak coolant without getting into the oil.

Should be under warranty though.

[canderson]

Hope he's the original owner (100K mi. powertrain warranty) or under 60K (second+ owner). I wonder if the factory antifreeze contains a fluorescent dye, or else how the dealer came to the head gasket conclusion so quickly with such a slow leak. It's not a common issue with these vehicles.

[sbr711]

In th 6yr the 3.3 been out, aint seen a need for head gasket..

Look elsewhere.. had a tech leave the small spring clamp off the water hose behind the front engine case cover, seen seepage where hose meets joint at thermostat housing I think it is (too lazy to walk the shop right now and find a V6 to look)..

[budmelon]

Hi all,

So I spoke to the dealer today to ask him how they know if the head gasket needs to be replace. He said that they saw coolant coming out of the engine block. I ask wouldn't the coolant get into the engine and oil? He said not necessarily.

With that, I guess I'll let them do their magic and good thing is.....it is still under warranty!

Thanks for all your help.

[canderson]

Originally Posted by budmelon

He said that they saw coolant coming out of the engine block.

Umm..." coolant coming out of the engine block"? That would more likely indicate a failed freeze plug if they've described it to you correctly (I assume these things still have freeze plugs).

It's the interface between block and head where a head gasket would spring an external leak, not the block itself.

[deepblue fe]

so how many miles on the vehicle?

[budmelon]

We are the second owner and the SUV only has about 52,000 kms (32,000 miles).

When I bring it in again, I'll get them to double check and hopefully it is something fairly simple.

Thanks again.

[vctr]

I had a head gasket leak on a Chevy Cavalier just like they describe. It was an external leak and the antifreeze would seep out and burn right off on the side of the engine block never making it to the ground, the smell was what brought it to my attention. It must be a **** of a leak if it's making it to the floor. Did the engine over heat at some point? You can warp or crack a head really quick.
I would get a second opinion before they start tearing apart your motor.

[Don67]

Originally Posted by vctr

It must be a **** of a leak if it's making it to the floor.

Not if it only needs a top-up every 6 months. Some cars evaporate more than that.

I'd be really hesitant to have my top end pulled apart over something like this. At the very least, I'd wait until closer to the end of the warranty.