deteriorating Disco (1995), leaking anti-freeze, now wont turnover

[amarfresh]

coolant leaking from water pump drain hole

I can't win! I fix something, something else breaks!

Last December I had my CV joints replaced. Replaced upper radiator hose shortly thereafter. The car was working great until around Easter when the alternator died. The good people on this forum were instrumental in helping me replace the Alternator (May). Replaced battery. Summer was not a problem... replaced thinning brake pads.

Most recently the truck started overheating... Found that the anti-freeze was bone dry. Filled it up and all seemed well. Got some new tyres and truck was running smoothly. Then, a day later, the coolant all leaked out when warming the car up. I can't tell where the leak is, but I suspect the lower radiator hose...I could be wrong. Wherever it is coming from, it seems that it may be dripping on the radiator fan.

Car has been idle for a week. I went to move it out of my driveway this morning and it won't start. It cranks (battery is fine), but won't turnover. I have no idea where to begin...

Water pump? Fuel pump? Cooling system?

Thoughts, suggestions, prayers are all welcome.

Thanks,

Amar

UPDATE: almost forgot. while the car was overheating due to it being bone dry... there was also no heat coming from vents although the fan was on high set to hot (red).

 

[k2fender]

If it's not turning over, but is cranking fine, it is the fuel pump more than likely. Don't keep trying to start it though. That's a good way to burn up your alternator. As for the coolant leak, it's probably just the lower radiator hose. It could be a cracked radiator. Powerwash the area, the start up the engine and see where the leak is coming from.

 

[amarfresh]

ok!

did i mention in rained a whole lot the weekend before i had starting problems.

my car dried out. secured any electrical connections regarding ignition. i finally charged the battery...

it started! yeah!

now i just have a major antifreeze leak:

it appears to be coming from the area where the lower radiator hose meets the engine. above the oil filter, below the radiator fan. i can't exactly tell if it is the hose or the block. the fan just sprays the anti-freeze everywhere. the anti-freeze seems to pour out like blood from a sliced jugular.

 

[amarfresh]

coolant leaking from water pump drain hole

UPDATE!!!

weather in nj was great today so i was able to get under my car to finally see where my coolant leak was coming from.

it appears to be coming from a "hole" on the underside of the waterpump. it seems that i may be missing a screw or plug of some sort here.

is there such a plug/screw that belongs here?

 

[amarfresh]

UPDATE: water pump replaced! new lower hose springs leaks!!! why???

twas a beautiful day in NJ today.

took the opportunity to install my new waterpump and lower radiator hose. installation went relatively smooth for a couple of amatuers.

i topped off the antifreeze, ran it for a 10 min, let it bubble over, added some more antifreeze, and let it run in the driveway for 30 min or so, coolant in expansion tank normal, capped it.

made a lap around town... on the way back (about 7 miles later), the temp guage was pinned and there was some smoke/steam coming from the hood. (expletive!)

made it home, opened the hood, and discovered a two tiny leaks in the new lower radiator hose... the pressure made hot coolant stream a few inches. the engine block was sizzling a bit.

now, as defective as i think the hose may have been, the engine was piping
hot so i am thinking that there are some other culprits. what else should i replace or look for? i'm thinking:

thermostat (could this have caused this alone?)
should i get a new thermostat housing?
lower hose (obviously)
upper hose (i am using a generic bendy one)
fan clutch? (is it safe to try to stop it? i don't want to break a blade)
could there have been air in the system which built pressure which forced the leak?
fan in front of radiator dead (or is that for A/C)?
could my radiator clogged/blocked? how can i test this?
my top radiator hose sprung a leak once before...then everything else went...
A/C didn't work great even after filling low pressure side.

sigh.


UPDATE: went ahead and purchased new hoses and themostat from british atlantic. just wondering about the big price items: fan clutch, therm housing, radiator. yikes.