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I've been noticing a few drops of coolant on the garage floor since early June. Last weekend, I cleaned up the engine bay so I could track down the rogue leak. The news is mixed but mostly good: the coolant is leaking from the 3-way return pipe (pics coming).

There is no coolant around/under the expansion tank and cap. The only visible coolant anywhere other than the garage floor is in the photo...

Any other opinions from the house of learned doctors before I start ordering parts and beer?

Here's a better photo, and you can get a much better idea of the location in the engine bay...

I broke that T when I was doing my tank/thermostat/water pump replacement. I'm pretty sure I broke it as I was removing the tank if I remember correctly. It's a pretty straight forward replacement. Collecting the coolant (if reusing) and refilling is the annoying part.

I've had to replace that hose as well. The plastic tee part broke. Be careful ordering a new three way hose....there are several different types.

Is the "tee" you guys mention the plastic barbed fitting that tends to break when anyone touches it or looks at it funny?

No. This is the T fitting on the main coolant hose going from the expansion tank to the thermostat. The other brittle plastic fitting is just a joint fitting located to the right of the alternator. I replaced that several times and finally got the Rausch stainless steel fitting to be done with that forever.

Same story as Joe here. Also installed the Rausch ss fitting.

No one makes an "upgrade" for the three way hose, but it is far less likely to break. This replacement will probably be the last one you need for the car.

Three way? There's nothing like a good three way!

Yeah, I knew as soon as I looked under the lid that I had that one wrong. Thanks for the comments.

Seems like a good time to get it up on the ramps and see what other plumbing items might be due for replacement...some of the coolant pipes are looking a bit swollen.

DBJoe996 wrote: ↑Sat Jun 29, 2019 6:29 am No. This is the T fitting on the main coolant hose going from the expansion tank to the thermostat. The other brittle plastic fitting is just a joint fitting located to the right of the alternator. I replaced that several times and finally got the Rausch stainless steel fitting to be done with that forever.

Anyone have the link for a parts diagram with the proper 3-way hose for a '99 C4? I'll post it here as soon as I find it if nobody beats me to it...

https://www.pelicanparts.com/More_Info/ ... at=Y&null=