I know this problem description is vague and doesn't give that much to go on... I'd appreciate any help, as it is best possible to give it.
Xantia (X2), made year 2000, 2.0L 132 HP petrol engine.
Having just driven the car a few moments, I noticed "hissing" from the engine. I drove it back to my parking lot, and see that it is spilling LHM fluid rapidly, and a bit of the LHM is coming onto something hot (the exhaust I think), and evaporates as thin white smoke.
LHM spill was fast, but not explosive. I managed to drive 4 km in total before STOP indicator came on. While driving the car slowly back it left a clear wet stripe on the asphalt. After parking, a pool of LHM fluid buildt up underneath, but it took a couple of minutes to grow.
The LHM pool underneath the car is kind of underneath the engine; perhaps a bit further back and a bit to the left of the engine block. Sort of midway between the LHM reservoir with the level gauge and the engine block.
I grabbed a torch and looked for the wet spot. I can't find it. There is a cylindrical protrusion with a bolt on each side, coming out of the firewall between engine compartment and cabin. It is kind of right where the steering wheel axle might be. That protrusion seems to have significant green LHM residue on it. From what else I can see from above, the engine compartment seems dry.
Questions:
- Will fast spills of LHM always be expensive repairs, or might it be something not that expensive?
- Can anyone give me tips to self-diagnosis, in just a parking lot without special tools, that might help estimate the repair cost better?
Thank you,