Why am is my car leaking coolant?

How's your engine coolant level? If you've got a water pump leaking coolant, your belt will squeak, as the pump will leak the coolant directly onto the belt. You'll see the spray pattern under the hood if it's been going on for a while.

All three of these engines a timing belt driven which means the water pump is also timing belt driven. The water pump is located behind the timing belt covers on the front of all three engines. The timing belt has to be removed in order to service the water pump. Yes coolant can leak out the pump when it is bad.

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older model altima need drive belt tension adjustment at 7500 miles intervals, the new models altimas has a automatic belt tensioner.i you hear noises belt tensioner could be failing.or could have leaking coolant getting on drive belt due to water pump gasket leaking or pump leaking.or alternator power steering pump could be failing many things will cause drive belt to make high squeak noises.

Not very likely, check the coolant passage between the cylinder heads. (The front part of the intake, right behind the alternator) That piece which is part of the intake manifold has been a source of coolant leaks for many vehicles like yours. The alternator is pretty easy to remove... Disconnect the negative battery cable, turn the belt tensoner to remove the belt from the alternator, take out the two long 10mm bolts under the alternator and the three on top. I would check for leaks there because it was a common problem area, coolant would leak behind the alternator, fill the space under the intake manifold, and leak down right where the transmission bell housing is. There are expansion plugs, and allen plugs on the back of the cylinder heads, but they rarely leak.

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Drain the engine coolant.
3. Remove or disconnect the following:
   
   Timing belt Alternator brace from the water pump Timing belt rear cover Water pump mounting bolts Water pump, gasket and O-ring
   

To install:

1. Install or connect the following:
   
   New O-ring on the water inlet pipe. Coat the O-ring with water or coolant. Do not allow oil or other grease to contact the O-ring. Water pump to the engine block, with new gasket. Torque the mounting bolts to 10 ft. lbs. (13 Nm) Alternator brace on the water pump. Torque the brace pivot bolt to 17 ft. lbs. (24 Nm). Timing belt rear cover Timing belt Remaining components
   
2. Refill the engine with coolant.
3. Connect the negative battery cable, start the engine and check for leaks.

Hope this gets you back on the road.

DID NOT MENTION WHATS LEAKING.BUT YOU NEED TO REPLACE OR FIX WHATS LEAKING PATCHING UP NOT GOING TO FIX.BATTERY LIGHT MOST LIKELY ALTERNATOR NOT CHARGING OR DRIVE BELT SLIPPING DUE TO COOLANT LEAK FROM WATER PUMP OR BAD BELT TENSIONER..CHECK ALTERNATOR OUT PUT WITH ENGINE RUNNING.HOOK DIGITAL VOLT METER TO BATTERY.VOLTAGE SHOULD BE 13.5 - 14.5 VOLTS.IF NOT CHECK ALTERNATOR FUSE AND WIRES MAKE NONE LOOSE OR DAMAGE.ALSO MAKE SURE BATTERY CABLES IS ON TIGHT.FREE FROM CORROSION.

You need to locate the water pump. It is turned by a fan belt. There should be water hoses running into and out of the pump. Water pumps have a weep hole that leaks water when the pump starts to fail. It is usually hard to see as it is behind the pulley for the fan belt. If you're seeing a leak in this area it is a pretty good chance that the pump is bad and needs replaced.

Inspect the following: 1.(typical on these models) Possible cooling system caps leak allowing coolant to escape and air into the system. Replace if leaking (there are 2 caps- one cap on the top LH side of the engine and one on the radiator) 2. Radiator fan- This fan on the V-6s are hydraulic driven via powersteering pump, inspect for fluid leaks and proper fluid levels. (To test fan speed, unplug the switch located on the powersteering pump and rev motor to 2000 rpm fan should pick up speed)have it checked if problematic. 3. Replace the thermostat if this hasn't been done in the last 30,000miles, possible binding or stuck (located on the LH side of the engine, under the alternator and at the back end of the coolant feeder pipe). If these all check out fine, inspect or replace the water pump. To replace the pump it requires timing belt removal and or replacement. Hopefully this helps

I don't know what you mean by struts on the plug. If this is the plug on the lower radiator reservoir the cheap fix is to silicone a new plug and reinstall it. Don't over tighten. If the silicone doesn't work you may have to have a shop replace the tank they're in. If it's plastic, the whole radiator is toast.If it's metal a radiator shop can re-solder it.

Sound like a leaking hose to me or a leaking water pump, for me to help I need to know exactly what's leaking. Check it out and let me know. Good luck nd thanks for using FIX YA