Coolant leak all over subframe

Technical Area Engine, Transmission, Exhaust etc
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  1. My model of MX-5 is: __ 1990 MX5 mk1 Eunos
  2. I’m based near: __ Warrington
  3. I’m looking for technical help or recommendations on: __ coolant everywhere

I’m aware coolant leak questions have been done to death, but when googling and forum crawling I can’t find any info on a leak like this one.

I noticed a small puddle on the floor the other day, and looking underneath the car there’s coolant all over the underside of the subframe, steering rack and sump. With the car on and up to temperature I can’t see a drip source. I also can’t retroactively trace where the drips are coming from, because its just everywhere. There’s also small puddles of coolant on the top side of the subframe.

The overflow tank drains in approx 1 hour of driving.

Anyone had this before? Any idea’s where it’s come from?

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I’d be looking at the area around the water pump inlet, where the bottom hose joins the engine.

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I would agree with the water pump inlet part, on mine the small 90° elbow that comes off it was leaking. The previous owner tried braising it to repair but failed, I nearly brought a new one but tried repairing mine first with a threaded barb. My first attempt I overtightened and broke the barb, but second attempt was successful. With the part removed I drilled out the old elbow, then tapped a thread to suit barb, then screwed barb in using gasket sealant.

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Thanks both! It was indeed that inlet hose. It only leaked when it was both heated and under load - didn’t leak when idling alone even when hot, which is why I didn’t spot it earlier. Was just a tiny hole where the hose met the 90 degree elbow.

£3 hose and £0.90 clip from autolink got it fixed.

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